Recommended Music: Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

Sparky heaved a sigh, fighting a strong urge to get up and start moving around. Speed hadn't come back yet from his physical therapy session, Pops and Inspector Detector were getting the Mach 5 out of impound, Mrs. Racer had gone in search of halfway decent food, and Racer X had simply disappeared. Sparky had a guess as to where he had gone but kept his mouth shut. That left him alone with Speed's roommate, Robert, and he seemed to be pre-occupied with either tormenting the nursing staff or reading a magazine. Sparky couldn't tell which. Finally, the silence got to him. He had to say something, anything, to relieve his boredom.

"So when are you leaving here, Robert?"

Robert looked up then shrugged.

"Don't know. Whenever the doctor says I can go, I'm sure. I just hope it's soon. I'm getting tired of this place."

"I bet," Sparky chuckled. "Two weeks of this place would drive anyone crazy."

"It isn't that," Robert sighed. "I just . . . I hate being here. I nearly missed my best friend's funeral because of being here and I haven't been able to tell how Torie's been doing since the accident."

"You really care about her, don't you?"

"Yeah," Robert nodded. "I do. I met her a couple of years before Ryan moved to Philadelphia. It's because of me that they eventually met . . . and got together. If it hadn't been for the fact that I'd been seeing someone else at the time, I definitely would have asked Torie to go out with me. She's quite charming, really . . . Neither of them are from Philadelphia, by the way."

"Oh?" That had Sparky's interest.

"Yeah. Torie came from Michigan . . . moved here from a small village called Manton . . ."

"I think I've heard of that. It's north of Grand Rapids, right?"

"Yeah," Robert nodded. "And Ryan moved here from San Francisco. Never thought those two would ever end up liking each other, let alone loving each other as much as they did. They were really crazy about each other."

"They sound like quite the couple," Sparky observed sadly, thinking that Speed and Trixie had been the same once.

"They were," Robert agreed. "Despite her eccentricity, Ryan loved her. Hell, he moved in with her after they had dated for six months. Told me it felt like home, being there. The girl is odd and loves every minute of it. And if it hadn't been for him, she might have been my girl," he added softly.

Sparky chuckled slightly at that, remembering how Torie had not been afraid to speak her mind and failing to catch Robert's last comment. He figured that had to be the reason why Racer X seemed to like her so much. 'I just hope he knows what he's getting himself into,' Sparky sighed to himself.

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Trixie stared out her bedroom window as the song played itself out, silent tears running down her cheeks. Taylor was in a room nearby and she didn't want him to hear her crying. In fact, she didn't want him near her at all, after everything Torie and Mrs. Racer had told her. Why she believed them, she wasn't sure. Something about the fire in Torie's eyes had scared her. The woman absolutely loathed Taylor.

'What he doesn't know won't hurt him,' she had reasoned for keeping her silence. Another thing Taylor wouldn't know about would be her second visit to the older woman.

"Trixie, love? Is everything all right?"

"Yeah," she whispered. "Everything's fine."

Her husband wrapped his arms around her waist and he hugged her. She had no doubts that Taylor loved her. It was evident in the way he looked at her and he had promised to make her happy.

"You're missing Speed, aren't you?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I do miss him . . ."

"And you always will?"

Trixie turned to face him, fearing that he'd be angry with her for thinking of her former beau two days after they had been wed. Instead, she saw kindness and understanding, a very noticeable change from before.

"Yes. I always will," she whispered.

"I guess I can't expect to compete with his memory," he whispered back. "But I do want to be with you, Trixie. You are a one of a kind and I want to do everything in my power to make you happy."

"I know, Taylor. I know."

Tenderly, he kissed her . . .

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Pops walked through the entrance of the hospital just as his wife walked out of the cafeteria. He had been rather pleased to find out that the Mach 5 had not made it to the auction block (something the police department did with impounded vehicles) and wanted to tell his wife the good news the moment he saw her . . . until he saw her.

'Better not saying anything about the Mach 5 unless she asks,' he thought as he walked up to her. 'She looks ready to start bowling with heads.'

"Hello, dear," he called out. She gave him a withering glare then stalked back to their son's room.

"All right, dear, what's wrong?" he asked, knowing she wouldn't feel better until she got it out of her system.

"They won't let Speed eat solid foods just yet," she growled angrily. "And he won't eat the pureed foods. He's going to starve to death before they update his status."

"No, he won't," Pops assured her. "It's just going to take him a little time. You'll see."

Pops knew how it important it was for his wife to see that their children were healthy. She'd had a hard time with Rex and Speed when they were growing up. Both boys had been particularly fussy in the eating department, often skipping meals when the mood took them. Spritle, on the other hand, ate just about everything in his sight.

"And what if it doesn't take him a little time?" she demanded. "You know what they're threatening to do? They're threatening to hook him up to an I.V. and a tube feed if he doesn't start eating. All he takes in are mashed potatoes, jell-o, and soups. And even then, not much. I've watched him."

Pops sighed. He, too, had watched his son whenever meals were served. Yesterday, he hadn't even touched any of the meals the hospital had served. Speed stated he'd been full. This morning had been a little better but not much.

"I'll have a talk with him, honey," he promised. Pops just hoped he'd be able to get through to his son.

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"I don't want to do this anymore."

Speed hated how weak his voice sounded in his ears and had done his best to be strong but after two days of physical therapy, he hurt. Every muscle in his body protested even the simplest of movements. The lady working with him sighed.

"Speed, you're not going to get any better if you keep halting the process," she told him. "Just a few more and we'll be done."

Speed closed his eyes as the nurse finished with his range of motion on his legs, clenching his fists as the fire in them increased.

"There. We're done," the nurse announced. With the help of two assistants, they had him back in his wheelchair and on his way back to his room.

"Here we go . . . We'll get you back in bed and you can rest for a while." Speed stared blankly at the bed. He spent a lot of time there. Too much time, in his opinion. All he had was what felt like an insurmountable amount of time to think . . . and to remember.

"I think I'd rather stay up for a while," he whispered.

"Are you sure? You've had . . ."

"I'm sure," he nodded, speaking up a little. "I'm sure."

The nurse positioned the wheelchair so he didn't face the window then the three of them left. A minute after they had, Robert walked in, Sparky right beside him. Both were chuckling slightly.

"Hey, Speed! How did therapy go?" Sparky asked.

"Okay, I guess. I feel like someone set me on fire, though."

"That's good," Robert stated, sitting on his bed.

"I don't see how it can be."

"I know. Hurts like hell but it does mean you won't be stuck in that wheelchair for the rest of your life," Robert pointed out.

Speed thought about it for a moment. He wasn't sure if it was meant to cheer him up or not but the more he thought about it, the more he realised Robert had a point. If he had been void of any physical sensation, he wouldn't ache as much as he did. Speed managed a bare smile.

"Thanks, Robert."

"For what?" the older man asked, giving him a slightly confused look.

"For keeping me grounded and focused," Speed replied. "Something my older brother would do."

"You miss your older brother, don't you?"

"Yeah," he admitted. "I do."

The three of them sat in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Speed had been remembering the fun times he had shared with his older brother and his ex-girlfriend and wondering how he was going to make it through when a low rumbling sound came from out of nowhere.

"Sounds like someone's hungry," came the comment. "I think we can remedy that. Good food is just a phone call away."

Speed watched out of the corner of his eye as Robert picked up his cell phone and dialed.

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Rex watched and waited for Torie's reaction. He had taken a huge leap of faith by revealing himself to her and all she had done since he removed his mask was gaze at him with an impassive stare. Finally, she spoke.

"It's about damn time you removed that mask."

He blinked. "What?"

"You heard me," she shot back. "I said it's about damn time you removed that mask."

"You're not acting surprised . . ."

"Why? Should I be?" she asked.

"Most people would be," he explained weakly. "No one has ever seen my face before."

"Though your little brother came close?" she winked.

"So Speed did tell you about that . . ."

Torie nodded.

"Aye. He did. I thought it was weird that he would be mistaken for you, especially if you two weren't even related. Then I remembered just how much Ryan and Seth looked alike, despite the number of years between them. They even wore masks last year just to trick everyone to see if they really could tell the differences between them. It got me to thinking. There would be no way anyone could mistake Speed Racer for Racer X unless there was a relationship somewhere in the mix. I'm not stupid, Rex. I see things and I tend to listen to those around me. I'm also very good at making judgment and character calls and I must say I'm not the one who needs you right now."

"If you're referring to Speed, I have been there for him and I'll always be there for him, should he need it."

Torie sighed, shook her head, and chuckled.

"Of course, you will be. Like I said, I'm not stupid, Rex. You suffer from the I've-got-to-protect-my-younger-siblings-no-matter-what syndrome. Ryan's older brother Yoshi is the same way now, Ryan was the same way towards Seth and Danae though they didn't get along until towards the end. . . Hell, even I'm the same way with my siblings. However, there is a big difference in being there as a friend and being there as a member of the family. Your brother needs you as a brother and a friend. Not just a friend."

"You don't understand," he said, turning away. "I can't go back. Not just yet."

"Yes, you can, Rex," she murmured. "It takes a very strong person to apologize and admit that he may have made a mistake."

"You make it sound so simple."

"In some ways, it is simple, Rex."

"How do you do it?" he demanded, whirling to face her. "How can you be so damned calm about everything?"

"Me? Calm about everything? Ho, buddy, you have no idea, do you?" Torie shook her head. "Between me and Ryan, I was the quickest to get pissed off and even quicker to calm down. It's part of my heritage. But I have seen and lived through a lot. More than what some will ever see but less than what others will. I just refuse to feel sorry for myself and to let the world get me down. If I can't pick myself up and put the pieces of my life back together again, then it'll never happen. It's one of many things I have learned."

"Oh? And what else have you learned?"

"That the only one who I have to prove anything to is myself. What anyone else thinks doesn't matter. It's what I think and feel that does. I'm not a very competitive person by nature, Rex. Never have been. Never will be. I think the world would be a much better place if more emphasis were put on doing your best and having fun than on winning. Winning isn't everything."

Rex couldn't even begin to count the number of times he had heard people say that. He had always scoffed silently at those who had said it. Often those who said it lost whatever competition they were in and were being sore losers.

"You know how many times I've heard that and scoffed at those who've said it?"

"Lots of times?" Torie offered.

"Yes. More times than I care to admit, Torie, and I always believed that those who say things like that are just sore losers."

"Not someone from the sidelines? Like me?"

"I wouldn't say you're on the sidelines, Torie . . ."

"But I usually am on the sidelines, Rex. I've been on the sidelines throughout high school and after graduation. It's just . . . me. That's how I am and it's how I learn to make my own judgment calls."

The phone rang at that moment, interrupting what he was about to say next. As Torie checked her caller I.D. and answered the phone, Rex thought about what she had said.

'Someone who is constantly on the sidelines . . . by choice, from the sounds of it. But why? Why would anyone do that to herself?'

He heard Torie laugh about something then say, "Okay, I'll see what I can do," before she hung up the phone.

"What was that all about?"

"Oh, it seems that there are some hungry men at the hospital who seem to think that I have nothing better to do with my time other than cook. All I'm going to say, though, is he better not have Josie bring him pizza again. Do you think your family will like beef stew?"

"I think they might. Mom was complaining about not having a home cooked meal . . . Why? Are you heading up there?" Rex inquired.

"Yep," Torie nodded. "I already have it made and I was just going to freeze the rest for later so . . ."

"I see . . . Tell me something, Torie."

"What?"

"Why the eccentricity? Why the shield against others and why be on the sidelines?"

Torie paused for a moment then shrugged. "I am who I am. I like what I like and it shows. I guess you could say I'm an addict of sorts, which is why I won't drink alcohol or do anything else like that. As for shielding myself against others . . . twelve is a very tender age to learn you can't always trust the people around you."

"What happened?"

"Nothing and yet something," she sighed, "and it isn't even a long story. Just something I don't talk about very often. And for being on the sidelines . . . it's fun. I like to watch and write about the things that I see."

"So you're a writer . . ."

"Hey," she grinned. "Written word can convey much more than what you might think. Why do you think I like the things that I do?"

Rex grinned back. It was in that moment that he knew that she would forever be unobtainable to him. She had a different spirit about her and it would be unfair of him to ask her to leave the life she now lived.

'At least I'll have tonight,' he thought as they both prepared to head out the door.

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Mrs. Racer watched as her son talked with his best friend and his roommate. She had never seen such an animated discussion about cars before in her life. Even Pops had joined in. Soon, all four men were laughing. The Racer matriarch smiled when she saw her son's eyes sparkling.

'He looks so young when he smiles. I just wonder how he's going to cope without Trixie in his life.'

"Knock knock!" a voice called out. Everyone except Speed turned as Torie and Racer X walked in. Both were carrying dishes. Torie smiled warmly as she set the huge bowl she'd been holding down.

"Torie? What are you doing here?" Mrs. Racer inquired.

"I heard a rumour that there were some hungry people here," the younger woman confessed. "And, since I had already made beef stew for supper tonight, I figured I'd share."

"You didn't have to do that," Pops began.

"Nonsense," came the reply. "I'd just end up freezing it for later anyway."

"That's very nice of you," Speed said.

"Thank you."

"But what's Speed going to eat?" Mrs. Racer inquired. "He's still on a pureed and mechanical soft diet."

Torie just smiled as she and Racer X set about serving the food. Mrs. Racer watched as, when it came to Speed, Torie made sure he had mainly potatoes and corn and that they were mashed together rather well. Instantly, the blonde-haired woman took a seat next to her son and set about helping him eat. She didn't think it would work, Torie feeding her son, but it soon became apparent the difference between Torie and the nursing assistants.

Instead of trying to feed him herself, Torie used the fork to get a mouthful of food then had Speed hold the fork himself. With a little bit of guiding and encouragement, her son not only managed to feed himself but he ate with a vigour she had not seen since they had found him. Mrs. Racer smiled as she watched him as she took a bite of her own food. Whatever misgivings she may have had about Torie slowly vanished.

"Hey, this is good!" Sparky exclaimed, devouring more of the stew. Mrs. Racer chuckled. Sparky could be quite enthusiastic at times.

"No carrots, though," Pops grumbled, though not as gruffly as he might have.

"Sorry about that," Torie offered apologetically. "I can't eat cooked carrots. Something about the texture makes me sick."

"Allergic?" Inspector Detector asked. He, too, looked as if he were enjoying the meal.

"No," she shook her head. "I can eat raw carrots. It's just one of those weird things."

"Well, I think you did an excellent job, Torie," Mrs. Racer stated, smiling at her. "Who taught you how to make it?"

"My mother," came the answer.

"Mothers usually are the best cooks," Pops grinned, his gruff exterior finally melting.

"Not always," Torie chuckled. "It took a while for my mom to get back into the groove of cooking after she kicked my dad out of the house. My brother and I were horrid to her for a while there. She couldn't fix eggs or cook hamburgers. When she finally started getting the hang of it, we were like, 'Okay, who are you and what have you done with our mother?'"

"That is horrid," Racer X agreed. "Did your parents ever work things out?"

"You mean did they get back together? No. My parents are divorced and married to other people."

"Sorry to hear that," Sparky said.

"Don't be," Torie told him. "It worked out for the better. I got to know someone I hadn't known before."

"And who was that?" Speed inquired softly.

"My mother," Torie smiled warmly, her eyes glancing at Mrs. Racer. While she didn't care for those who would tear families apart, including their own, Mrs. Racer couldn't help but feel that, like Torie had said, it had been for the better. She smiled back at the younger woman.

"That's a very special person to know," she murmured. "A very special person, indeed."