Please note: I came home from work today to find this story deleted. I checked my email to see if maybe I'd done something wrong and the TPTB at this site deleted it. Instead, I found a nasty review written under my ID. I have no idea who this person is, but I'm very upset, as you can imagine. This story had over 200 reviews from some wonderful people. Now, they are gone, too.

I'm reposting this story. I'm very sorry for those of you whose reviews were lost. I'm heartbroken.

Disclaimer: In no way am I associated with, nor do I own, any of the characters used in this story. Speed Racer is the property of Speed Racer Enterprises.

BTW-You might notice as the story progresses, that I utilized some "guest" characters that appeared on the show.

On with the story…

Chapter 1

"Okay, one more lap and then you can call it a day," Pops spoke into his headset as he watched Speed driving towards him in the Mach Five.

"Good! It's hot as blazes!" Speed answered as he sped past.

Trixie sidled up to Sparky, who was timing Speed with a stopwatch. "He looks really good today, doesn't he?"

"Sure does," Sparky agreed. "He drives this well on Sunday, there's no way he'll lose the race."

Speed was just going into the second turn when from seemingly out of nowhere a red car flew past, barely missing him. He had to turn sharply to avoid hitting the wall. "What the…?" Speed's voice came over Pop's headset, "Did you see that? Stupid jerk coulda killed me!"

Sparky and Pops exchanged glances while Trixie glared malevolently at the rogue car, which seemed to accelerate as it passed them.

"Who is that?" Sparky wondered, "I've never seen that driver before."

Trixie seethed, "Well, whoever it is will be sorry when Speed gets done with him!"

"Calm down, Trixie. Whatever you do, don't rile Speed up anymore than he already is. Last thing he needs is to get into a fight, not in this heat," Pops told her as he wiped his sweaty brow.

The Mach Five roared into the pit, Speed leapt over the door; his face flaming with anger. He removed his helmet and threw it to the ground. "I'm gonna get that guy!" His hair was dripping with sweat; his breath was coming fast. "Who the HELL does he think he is? Nuts like that shouldn't be allowed near a car!"

Pops took hold of his arm. "Calm down, Son…he didn't touch you. Sit down and relax…"

"NO!" he gasped, trying to catch his breath. He bent over; his hands on his knees, "That…wheeze…guy drove that way…gasp…on purpose!"

"Speed…sit a minute," he led Speed over to a bench. "You're hyperventilating…take deep breaths and relax before you pass out."

Trixie ran over with a paper cup. "Here's some water to help cool him down."

"…Thanks…" Speed said as he placed the cup up to his lips and sipped it.

"Feeling better?" Pops asked.

"Yeah, but I'm still pissed…I mean angry…sorry…"

"Forget about it, I've been known to use a cuss word or two myself when I'm upset."

"Or two?" Sparky teased, "More like twenty!"

"Watch it, or else I'll cut your pay!" Pops growled; which quickly turned into a laugh.

Trixie knelt down and lightly touched Speed's knee. She spoke softly, "How about we get out of here and go down to the beach or something?"

Speed smiled in spite of himself. "Alright…but let me shower first, I'm beyond grungy." He wrinkled his nose, sure that he didn't smell like roses at the moment. He ran his hand through his damp hair. "Is it just me, or is exceptionally hot today?"

"It's the weather, the temps are in the high nineties." She leaned up and whispered in his ear, "Though you're always hot to me!"

Speed raised an eyebrow, "Hmmm…I think maybe I'd better take that shower so we can get on our way. Though I have a feeling my temperature is going to rise again shortly."

"Along with something else…" Sparky muttered, grinning.

"Huh?" Speed asked.

"Nothing…nothing…" Sparky's grin became even wider.

---

Speed was gathering up his gear and heading towards the lockers when the strange car pulled into the pit right next to theirs. "That guy must have a death wish!" He felt his anger coming on again. Forgetting his shower, he made a beeline over to the sleek red machine looking to take off the head of its driver.

"Speed, wait!" Trixie called as she chased after him.

He motioned her away. "You stay out of this, it's between that lunatic and me." He gritted his teeth as the red car's door opened. "Hey you! What do you think you were doing out there, huh?"

The driver casually emerged from his car, from his actions it didn't seem he had heard Speed's words.

The man's back was to him; he was wearing a racing jacket, which covered his upper body. But, Speed could tell, even with the jacket, that he was slight in build. He certainly didn't look like he would do well in a fight. "Hah!" he said to himself, "This shouldn't take long at all."

The driver took off his helmet and shook out a waist-length mane of pale blonde hair. The jacket was removed, revealing a body to die for. Speed stopped in his tracks as his brain registered what appeared before his eyes: The driver was a girl! She turned to face him.

"Can ah help you with something?" she purred in a southern drawl.

"Uh…uh…I…um…" Speed stammered nearly too stunned for words. The girl was beyond beautiful, even in his wildest fantasizes he could never dream up anybody as gorgeous as she. A goofy smile played across his face.

Sparky and Trixie ran up behind him. Sparky bumped hard into Speed's back. "Hey! What's with you?"

There was no answer from Speed who just stared at the vision before him.

Sparky looked over his friend's shoulder and then saw the reason for Speed's trance. "Wow! I've never seen a woman like her!"

"Yeah…" Speed whispered as he took in every inch of her magnificent body in its skin-tight, bright red fire suit.

Trixie was not impressed. She crossed her arms and sneered, "You almost caused my BOYFRIEND to crash before!"

The girl's face was the picture of innocence. "Oh, ah did? Ah'm sooo sorry!" She sauntered over to the three, appraising each of them. She touched her index finger to the hollow in Speed's neck and slowly traced her way down to end of the V of his shirt. "Ah'd never do anything to hurt a man as handsome as y'all. Ah do hope you'll except my apology, Mr…?"

"Uhh…um…dah…" Speed responded. His eyes were still glued to the young woman. His face had a dreamy expression on it as if his mind was elsewhere. He was bolted back to reality by a sharp elbow in his side. "Ouch!"

There was venom in Trixie's voice, "It's Racer…Speed Racer. I'm sure you've heard of him, and the fact that he's very involved with someone."

Speed quickly turned on her. "Trix! What's your problem? The young lady was just apologizing."

"Apologizing? OHHHH! I'm leaving! And if you value our relationship, you'll come with me."

Visibly annoyed, Speed stayed where he was. "I'm not ready. I still have to shower."

"You can shower in your own bathroom at home!" She purposefully strode towards the Go Team's pit.

Speed knew he was fighting a losing battle. "Gotta go," he sighed; defeated. He didn't want to leave his goddess, though he knew he must. "Um…uh...bye…" he said softly as he turned to leave.

"Bye, Darlin'…" She smiled seductively and waved.

Speed walked away in a daze and didn't see the large rock in front of him. He slipped backwards landing hard on his bottom. "Argh!" He stood up, red faced. "I… uh…fell," he muttered sheepishly. The girl giggled.

Sparky shook his head, laughing, "That was a real smart maneuver, Speed…Sheesh!"

Embarrassed; Speed ran back to his own pit where Trixie stood angrily with daggers for eyes.

---

"Honestly, Speed, you made a complete fool of yourself over that…that HUSSY!" Trixie exclaimed as she stared out the car window; a disgusted look on her face.

"How do you know she's a hussy? She seemed perfectly nice to me."

"Humpf!" she snorted. "You would say something like that. You're such a hypocrite!"

"Hypocrite? Am not!" Speed responded, trying to control his rising ire.

"Oh really? Then how come you were ready to kill her when you thought she was a guy? As soon as she wiggled her tight little rear end you changed your tune. Suddenly she's this sweet, innocent thing who wouldn't harm a fly. Pul-EEZE!"

"I…um…misjudged her, that's all. I think that maybe she had car trouble or something and that's why she cut me off. No way somebody as polite as she is would do something like that on purpose."

"Ohhh! That's it! Stop the car."

"Huh?" he asked; genuinely confused.

"You heard me. Stop the car. NOW!"

He pulled to the curb. "What's wrong?"

"You don't know?" she asked, he shook his head. "Well, then I'm not going to tell you. I'll let you figure it out while you drive home ALONE!" With that, she stepped out of the car slamming the door behind her. "And don't even think of calling me later to apologize because I'm not talking to you!"

"But, how are you going to get home? It's too far to walk."

"I'll hitch a ride."

"No! I can't let you do that. You might get picked up by a pervert or something!" he said; eyes wide.

"Hmpf! A pervert would be far better company than you, MISTER Racer!" she said as she furiously stomped off.

"Trixie, wait!" he called after her. She didn't acknowledge him. Speed scratched his head still not sure what had incensed her. He watched in the rear-view mirror as she went to a pay phone. "Guess she's gonna call a cab." He put the car into gear and slowly pulled back onto the road. "Man, I'm in so much trouble. I've never seen her this mad, and the thing is I don't even know why…" he sighed as he drove away.