Dom headed out into the warm night, walking the few blocks over to where Letty lived. The lawn was sparse, but what was there grew uncut; weeds sprouted from everywhere. No lights were on in the house, or outside for that matter. If Dom didn't know any better, he'd say the house was abandoned. The stairs creaked under Dom's boots; he was almost scared the small porch wouldn't hold his weight. After discovering the doorbell didn't work, he tried knocking. There was no answer, Dom swore under his breath. He was hoping this would be easy. Dom had seen her uncle on a few occasions, enough to know he drove an old beat up truck. The driveway was empty. Sighing he tried to open the door, which was eerily unlocked.

"Letty?" He called softly. "Let?"

The inside looked worse than the outside. What few furnishings they did have were covered in dust, mold, and holes. Empty food containers riddled the floor and the surfaces. Not even wanting to think about the things that had to be crawling through this house, Dom decided to get to business and find Letty, make sure she was alright, then head home to get some sleep. The front room was the living room, behind it looked to be a kitchen basked in moonlight. Dom headed up the stairs, careful not to fall through. Now thinking that if he ever found her, he'd take her right back to his house. This place was disgusting. Upstairs, the landing held three doors. The open appeared to be a bathroom. One of the right and one on the left. Taking a gamble, Dom went left. The room was dark except for a small cast of moonlight across the floor.

"Letty?" Bracing himself, he felt for the light switch. When he found it, he flipped it upwards. Nothing, no electricity. Swearing to himself, Dom called louder not even bothering with a whisper. "Letty?" Something scampered across his foot, and tore into the next room. Cringing, Dom entered the room. He walked around the bed, but found nothing. She had to be in the other room. Creaking softly, the door opened. "Letty?" In a way, he hoped he found her first. He had been teaching her to throw a right hook, and that girl was packed with force. If she thought he was some sort of burglar or rapist.. he'd rather not end up on the floor in this vulgar house. This next room was darker. Kicking himself mentally for not bringing a flashlight, Dom slowly walked into the room. "Letty?..." No answer, it wasn't as if he was coming to expect one. "Juliet Rodriguez where are you?" he snapped. "fuck." He ran his hands over his head again, nervous habit. Something brushed past his arm and he jumped. Cursing inwardly, he felt around the room. The bed felt empty, and if she was on the floor he would have tripped over her. Getting frustrated beyond belief, Dom ran the situation over in his mind. It's midnight, dark, there's no electricity, she's a fourteen year old girl, alone, in a humanely inhabitable house. When Pops was away at a race, and Dom didn't make it home till late, Mia got scared. She hid in the strangest places, it took forever to coax her out. It didn't happen as much anymore, but it happened. Where would Letty hide?

Dom walked out on the landing, trying to think. "Damn, girl. Where are you?" Something rustled behind him, and Dom whipped around. It had come from the bathroom, he crept toward the door, expecting to find some sort of vermin. He didn't expect to find was Letty. He could barely make out her small frame, but sure enough she was curled up in the bathtub. "Letty." He whispered, stroking her arm to wake her. "Let."

"Dominic? What's going on?"

"Why are you sleeping in the bathtub?" he asked, brushing a strand of hair out of her sleepy face.

"Not as many pests, robbers won't look here." She mumbled, half asleep.

"Come on, I'm taking you back to the fort." He whispered, scooping her up into his arms. Her head rested on his chest, and she fell back asleep. Making his way out of the house, Dom found her bag by the door and took it with him. From the street, he could see his dad waiting on the front porch.

"Dom, I was getting worried. What's wrong with her?"

"She's tired, I woke her up. Pops.. she lives in a landfill. That place is gross, even for my standards. They don't even have electricity. I found her in the bathtub of all places."

Mr. Toretto's brow creased in concern, "I wasn't sure about her uncle, but she said everything was fine, so I didn't press. Why didn't she say anything?"

"How should I know? Pride probably. I'll put her in my room, and crash on the couch till we figure something else out."

"We'll talk about it tomorrow."

Dom nodded, and followed his father into the house. Taking the stairs two at a time, he was grateful he knew they wouldn't cave in.

Letty woke up the next morning disoriented; she definitely wasn't at her house. For one thing, she didn't wake up all cramped from sleeping. Stretching, she looked around and realization dawned. This was Dom's room. What happened last night? Where was Dom? As quiet as she could, she slipped out from underneath his black comforter. The house was quiet; a quick glance at the clock said it was seven. She doubted anyone else was awake. Finding her shoes at the end of the bed, she slipped them on with every intention of stealing back to her house. What she didn't count on was finding Dom sprawled out on the couch.

Praying that the door wouldn't make much noise, she twisted the deadbolt and almost had the door open.

"Where are you going?" asked a muffled voice "If you're going back to your house, I'm coming with you."

"I can go by myself." Letty retorted indignantly.

"Oh I have no doubt what you're capable of. But, Let how do you think you got here? I saw your house. I'm sure it looks worse in the daytime." He replied, finally sitting up.

"It's not that bad."

"Not that bad? Let, you don't have electricity. I'm willing to bet you don't have hot water either."

She stayed quiet.

"Let.. just stay here. We have plenty of room, and you practically live here anyway."

"I.. can't."

"Why not?" He asked, closing his eyes and running a hand over his bald head.

"I can't leave my uncle, he's…"

"When was the last time he came back, Letty?" He asked, getting up and walking toward her. His eyes were still puffy from sleep, but they still held a forceful look.

She remained quiet.

"Right.. So you're living by yourself. You're too young to work. Letty, what the hell? Why did you tell me sooner? Or Pops at least?"

"I didn't want anyone to know he abandoned me." She said quietly.

"Letty..." Dom sighed, not sure how to go on.

"I don't want to be a burden on anybody. I was doing fine on my own." She replied forcefully.

"Don't bullshit with me, Letty." Dominic snapped back. She remained quiet, both were too stubborn to admit anything. "Go take a shower. I'm going to go get pops, fill him in, and go get your stuff. Anything hidden I won't know to grab?"

"I'll get everything later."

"Which would be another excuse to postpone you staying here, I don't think so." He locked eyes with her. Staring back with the same stubborn track as he did, Letty blinked.

"All my things are in the bathroom." She replied begrudgingly.

"Everything?" he quirked an eyebrow.

She nodded again.

Dom shook his head, and walked back toward the couch. He groped around of the floor and then pulled on the shirt he found there. When he was almost to the stairs to wake up Mr. Toretto, he turned. "Are you coming? Shower's upstairs and don't think I don't know what's going through that little mind of yours. I will carry you up here if I have to." He threatened.

Narrowing her eyes at him, "You wouldn't dare." Backtracking the few stairs he had taken, he walked toward her. "Okay, I'll go take a shower." She promised, backing away as he drew nearer.

"Too late." He replied, and closed the distance between them in one giant step. Grasping her around the waist, he slung her over his shoulder like she was nothing more than a tank of NOS.