Chapter 23

After his encounter with Trixie, Speed drove towards the country. He needed to get away from the city streets and the distractions; he needed to think. His former girlfriend's reaction to his visit surprised him. Why was she so angry? After all, he went there to thank her, and apologize for his past transgressions. "I gotta stop beating myself up over this. She's the one who wouldn't accept my apology," he rationalized. "It's her problem, not mine." Still, there was an emptiness inside him, as if he'd lost something very dear to his heart.

He glanced at the dashboard clock and realized that he'd been gone almost two hours. "Shoot, Dallas is gonna have my head!" He quickly turned the car around and headed back uptown to pick her up.

She was standing outside the nail shop when he finally arrived. Her arms were laden with shopping bags; there was a scowl on her face. "It's about time you got back!" she exclaimed angrily. "Ah've been waiting out here for an eternity for you to return."

"Looks more like you did some shopping," he said, motioning towards the bags.

"Well, Ah had to do something while you were gallivantin' all over the place," she countered.

"Sorry," he said, noting that he'd been saying that word a lot lately, "I went for a drive and lost track of time."

"I'm sure you that's all you did," she said accusingly.

"Yeah, it is," he lied. "If you don't want to believe me, that's your problem."

She dropped her packages on the ground. "Put those in the trunk."

He glared at her before stepping from the car. Very clearly annoyed, he picked up the bags, opened the trunk and threw them inside. "I'm not her pet," he grumbled, "I'm her damned slave."

---

Speed gripped the steering wheel tight, his mind totally on the road. He knew that if he spoke, he might say words he'd soon come to regret.

Dallas sighed as she glanced at him and noticed the grim expression on his face. This wouldn't do; having Speed angry with her. She'd have to make amends. "Sweetpea, Ah didn't mean to get upset earlier..." she said; forcing tears to come from her eyes. "Ah'm such a horrid person..."

He pulled the car to the side of the road feeling ashamed as he gazed at her tear-stained face. "No, it's all my fault for making you wait. I'm sorry, honey. I keep messing up... I don't even know why you still want to go out with me..."

Dallas smiled to herself as she felt the guilt rise in him. "Ah go out with you because Ah love you. Yeah, you mess up a lot, but Ah understand. It's not easy being the youngest driver on the circuit, not being quite as experienced or smart as the older drivers..."

"I'm sorry..." he said, her insult flying over his head. "I promise I'll try to be more mature."

She winked. "That's okay, darlin'...I love you just the way you are."

"Thanks... But, I'm still sorry for being such a jerk," he said.

"Ah forgive you." She was silent for a moment. Then, she reached into her bag and removed a CD. "Sweet pea, here's somethin' that Ah think will cheer us both up."

He smiled as he read the title. Born In The USA, cool!"

"Turn it over, look at the sixth song."

"I'm On Fire..." His smiled broadened. "I love it. Thanks, sweetheart."

She puckered her lips as he leaned in for a kiss. "Ah knew you would. Now, how 'bout we play our song? Then, when we get home we can lie by the pool and soak up some sun."

"You bet!" he exclaimed as he popped the CD in the player then put the car into gear.

"Hey, little girl is your daddy home, did he go and leave you all alone..." Bruce sang in his raspy voice as they sped off. Speed put his arm around Dallas, pulling her close, wishing he could take her, right there, in the car.

---

They arrived on their street, again having to dodge the reporters planted on the corner. "Don't those creeps have anything better to do than harass us? " Speed grumbled.

"I'm sure it won't last long, darlin'. I bet some politician will do something stupid and they'll forget all about us."

"I hope so." He quickly amended his statement. "Not that I'd want to see anybody get into trouble."

"Of course not, Sweetpea," she said, thinking to herself that Speed was too naive and disgustingly nice for his own good.

When they pulled up to the Maverick's, Speed couldn't help but notice the Mach Five in his parents' driveway.

Sparky saw him and waved. "Hey, Speed! C'mere!"

Speed mouthed the word, no, nodding his head in the direction of the elder Racer.

The mechanic smiled, said something to Pops, and went over to his friend. "How ya doin'?"

"Okay," Speed said. "Hangin' in there. I'm just glad that I'll be able to appeal the Committee's decision."

"Yeah," the mechanic agreed, "I was so happy when Mr. Coretti told us that. Maybe they'll drop the suspension, or at least lower it."

"That's what I'm hoping. Though, I have a feeling that the drug testing thing will still stand."

"Probably," Sparky said. "With all the steroid and other drug use in sports, you can't really blame the commission."

"I know. I just hope they know that I'd never condone drug use, that I honestly didn't know what was in those pills."

Sparky nodded. "Hey, if it's worth anything, I believe you."

"Thanks," Speed said, smiling.

Sparky returned the expression. "That's what friends are for. You know, if you need anything, I'm here for ya, pal."

"Thanks, again. Um, there is something you can do for me. I need a favor," Speed said.

Sparky looked at him curiously. "Sure, anything..."

"You still have that car, the Mustang, we were working on a couple of years ago, don't you?"

"Yeah, in fact, I was messing around with it the other day. Why?"

"I was wondering if you'd let me put it on the road. I really need a car, I can't keep using Dallas'," Speed explained. "I'll get the insurance, registration and stuff like that taken care of."

"No problem. I'll drop it by first thing tomorrow. I'll even put a CD player in it for ya," he said with a wink.

"Oh man, thanks!" Speed gratefully pumped his friend's hand.

"Anytime." The mechanic turned and glanced at Pops who had his back to them, trying to avoid his son. "I think I'd better get back to the car. Talk to ya later."

---

Early the next morning, the phone rang. Speed groaned as he reached towards it. "Better not be another reporter..."

"Hey, pal. The car's outside and waiting for you," Sparky cheerily chirped.

"Huh?" a sleepy Speed responded. "Oh...uh...thanks."

"Oh man, I woke you. I'm sorry."

Speed rubbed his bleary eyes. "It's okay...I had to get up anyway."

"Anyway, car's all set. The keys are under the mat."

"Great, thanks again, pal," Speed said gratefully.

"No problem."

---

Speed yawned as he opened the shower door. Once again, he'd had little sleep. Dallas was insatiable in her desire for him, and he found that he was unable to resist her. "I wonder if a guy can die from too much sex?" he mused as he turned on the shower and let the hot water massage his aching back.

Dallas was waiting for him as he left the bathroom. "Cripes... She can't want more. Didn't she get enough last night?" he thought, remembering their post-sunset tryst by the pool, then again later in his room. "Speed, be strong, just tell her NO!" He hoped his control was as strong as his conviction.

"Darlin', would you mind takin' me to the track?" she asked. "Ah know you just can't wait to drive your new car." She smiled so sweetly at him that any animosity he might have felt towards her vanished.

"Sure thing, honey. I'm looking forward to watching you practice," he said, putting his arm around her. "Let me just dry my hair and get dressed, then we can go."

She kissed him. "You're too sweet, darlin'."

---

"That's a nice lookin' car," Dallas said, running her hand along the fender of the Mustang.

Speed grinned. "Yeah. Sparky and I spent many a weekend working on this baby. It was his idea to paint her with blue, metallic flake. It has a real futuristic look. 'Course, she's not the Mach Five," he sighed, "But, she'll do."

"I like her," Dallas remarked as Speed held the passenger door open for her.

Before he could even walk around to the driver's side he was accosted by his father.

"I want to talk to you!" Pops bellowed, grabbing his arm.

Speed shook him off. "No. I've gotta go somewhere."

Pops Racer was not to be deterred. "Did you get my message yesterday?"

"Yeah," Speed said.

"Why didn't you call me back?"

"I didn't think I needed to return your call," Speed replied curtly. "Racer X was at the hearing and told me about the appeal. So, you really didn't have to call me in the first place."

"Well, I'm not a mind reader!" Pops voice rose, as did his anger. "How the hell was I supposed to know that that masked freak would be lurking somewhere in the corner of the room?"

"Oh well, live and learn," Speed said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to take Dallas to the track."

"Oh, no you don't, I'm not finished with you, yet!"

Speed shook his head defiantly. "Well, I'm done."

The Racer family patriarch's face turned beet red as he angrily whipped a newspaper from his back pocket. "You're done alright... Read THIS!" He thrust the paper into his son's hand.

Speed opened the paper, the back page facing him. He blanched as he read the headline: SPEED SUSPENDED!!! Underneath it there was a publicity shot of him with the caption, "Racing's favorite son's star is tarnished under allegations of traffic violations and illicit drug use."

"Oh shit," he muttered.

"That's not even the worst of it, turn to the front."

Reluctantly, Speed flipped the tabloid over. He read the headline; which took up the whole page: DALLAS: I'M PREGNANT WITH SPEED'S LOVE CHILD!

"Oh my God... I can't believe this," he said with a groan as he stared at the paper in shock.

"Either can I," Pops remarked. "Is it true?"

Speed closed his eyes. "I don't know... Maybe. Dallas thinks she might be..."

"Dammit Speed, what did I teach about responsibility... about using protection?"

Speed sighed. "I don't know what happened. That first night, I kinda lost my head. She was in the pool, looking so beautiful. One thing led to another and...well...you know what happened." He blushed profusely, unable to meet his father's gaze. "I didn't think that she could end up...pregnant." He ran his hands through his dark locks. "I don't know what to do..."

For the first time since their altercation, Pops actually felt sorry for his son. It was tough to be his age, physically a man, but still a boy in so many ways. And like so many young men Speed had let his emotions run astray, let his physical desires get the best of him and now he might have to pay the ultimate price. "Speed," he said softly, "Your mother and I discussed the... er... situation this morning. I realize that we've all had harsh words these past few days. Lord knows I've got a hair-trigger temper to begin with, something that you've inherited from me, unfortunately."

Speed gave him a half-smile. "Yeah, so I've been told."

"Anyway," Pops continued; his ire all but abated, "we want you to know that you're welcome to come home. I was wrong for throwing you out and taking away the Mach Five."

Speed's face lit up. "You mean that?" He glanced towards Dallas, who watched them from the car. "I appreciate that, but I think I'll stay here for now. I'm too old to be living at home. As for the Mach Five," he took a deep, painful breath, this was going to a very difficult thing for him to do, "she's a race car, she's not made for the streets. I've got a perfectly good car. Heck, Sparky and I sure put a lot of love and sweat into her and it's about time that she actually got to be driven."

His father raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah I am. Honestly, I kind of like the anonymity the Mustang is gonna give me. I'll be able to blend in with the crowd."

"Well that is probably something you need right now...anonymity. Uh...your mother is worried about your financial situation.You've got that ticket to pay, remember. She...I mean, we...decided that if you want, you can help me out at the factory. I can't pay you much more than the minimum, but I would appreciate your help...son." He said the last word in a soft voice, his eyes downcast.

Speed nodded. "Thanks Pops, I'd like that." He thrust out his hand. His father didn't hesitate as he took hold of it. They shook; knowing that their relationship had changed, forever.

---

At the track Speed and Dallas once again had to contend with reporters. While he felt nothing but disdain for the press, the young woman seemed to bask in the attention. Something about her interplay with them nagged at Speed.

"It's as if she's enjoying all this negative attention," he thought.

He also noticed that the other members of the Girl Team kept their distance from Dallas. They whispered, and sneered in the blonde's direction. From their reactions, it didn't seem as if they were very fond of her. In fact, he was sure he saw Ruby Cerise flip Dallas the finger when she wasn't looking. .

"They're all jealous of her," he said, shaking his head. "Why does Dallas have such catty girls on her team?" On a whim, he walked over to them.

"Hi, ladies," he said, "what's so funny?"

"Look, girls! It's Speedy Racer, our, snort, fearless leader's latest boy toy!" Ruby declared.

Speed furrowed his brow. "Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing...We're just teasing you. Right, Viv?" she nudged the young woman next to her.

"Oh yes," Vivian Vixen agreed, "we're just teasing you, Speedy."

"Right. You just wish you were as good a driver as my Dallas!" Speed said, angrily stomping off as the girls burst into hysterical laughter.

"Bye, Speedy!" Ruby called after him. Viv and the other team members snicked.

"Stupid bimbos..." he muttered, trying to ignore their taunts.

---

That evening Speed was having a hard time sleeping. He kept waiting for Dallas to appear, and so far, she hadn't. He rose from the bed. "Maybe I'll get a glass of warm milk, that always seems to work." He quietly padded towards the kitchen. Hearing voices, he stopped just outside the entry.

"How much longer is this gonna go on, Daddy?" Dallas whined.

"Not much longer, Angel. Got the prototype, now it's just the plans that we need. The old man is real tight-lipped. He ain't revealin' the smallest detail," Paladin said.

"The kid's no better." Dallas remarked. "Ah thought for sure that when he got ta fightin' with his daddy, he'd say something 'bout the plans to get back at him. Maybe he's just so stupid his father won't dare let him know anything."

"He is awfully dense, isn't he?" Paladin chuckled.

"All those pretty boys have no substance," Dallas remarked.

"Well, honey bunch, Ah don't think substance is why the girls find him attractive," Paladin said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, an' from the looks of his old man, the apple sure'n didn't fall far from the tree!" Dallas said. They both laughed.

"Stupid is as stupid does," Paladin said, laughing harder.

"Huh? Are they talkin' about me and Pops?" Speed asked himself . He shook his head. "No... they can't be..." Doing a quick about-face, he glumly walked back to his room. "I must've misunderstood, that's all... Dallas loves me, and Mr. Maverick, he's Pops' friend, he'd never do anything to hurt him." He lay down on his bed, the words he'd heard haunted him, causing him to toss fitfully as he tried to sleep.

Dallas joined him just as he started to drift off. "Hi, Darlin'..." she purred.

He turned his back to her. "Leave me alone, I'm sleeping," he mumbled.

"No you're not. If you were, you wouldn't even have answered me, silly boy!" Dallas teased him.

"Go away," he said, "I'm not in the mood..."

She leaned over and kissed his neck. "You don't really want me to leave, do you?" she whispered in his ear, running her hands down his back. "And I know you're in the mood... you always are."

He couldn't hide the shiver that went through him. "Dammit," he thought as he found himself turning to face her; his body already reacting, "I'm spineless...I've got no will power..."

---

Speed swept the floor of Pops' Motors, sweat dripping off his forehead. "This is harder work than I thought it would be."

Dallas sat on one of the workbenches, her bare legs crossed, one foot tapping the air as if she were listening to music. "Your father is a slave driver if you ask me. Making you do all this icky manual labor for a measly few dollars."

"Pops believes that hard work makes you a better person," Speed explained. "I'm not sure if I agree, but he's the boss, so..."

"So... we don't get to go to the beach!" Dallas said, annoyed, as she hopped off the bench. 'An' Ah guess Ah'm just supposed to hang out here all day waitin' for you to finish up, right?"

Speed shrugged. "If you want to be with me, yeah, that's what you gotta do. It stinks, I know." He grunted as he moved a workbench out of the way and swept behind it. "But, life sucks sometimes. Ya just gotta learn to deal with it."

"Hmpf!" Dallas said, miffed. "Ah don't have all day. Ah could be practicin', or working on my tan... or ..." She spied Pops' computer in the corner. "checking my email!"

Speed smiled. "Yeah, okay... Why don't you do that."

She made her way over to the desk. "Ah jus' gotta remember mah password..." she said softly as she pecked, hesitantly, at the keyboard.

"Good," Speed said to himself. "This should keep her busy for hours..." He watched with a pained expression as she attempted to type with her long, cat-like, fingernails.

---

It was after five PM. The sun was high in the sky, casting light though the skylight of Pops Motors. Speed grinned as he surveyed the garage. "Looks pretty damned good, if I do say so myself! My old man'll have to like this, huh, Dallas?" He turned to the young woman who was busy removing a disk from Pops' computer.

"You say something?" she asked.

"No... Nothing major. Except that I'm done for the day."

She placed the disk in her pocket. "It's about time."

"Sorry it took so long. You wanna get a bite to eat?"

She yawned. "Darlin', Ah'm a bit tired. You mind if Ah take a rain check?"

"Sure. I'm pretty beat myself. I guess we can order pizza or something."

"Ah'd like that," she said.

"Great, let's go!" He went to the door. "You got everything?" he asked, his hand on the light switch.

She picked her purse off the workbench. "Everything Ah need," she replied, smiling as she patted the pocket that held the disk.