A.N. A lot of people seemed to be confused about the last chapter. Dominique's father died in the one before that, in the car crash at the track. The last chapter was Myra's moment of desperation to search out her mother after she learned of Dom losing his father. My apologies for not explaining it properly in the chapter. I sometimes get a little artistic with my writing and forget that not everyone can follow. So I hope that explains it.

Another side note, from here on we're into the movies! This is the last "A.U" chapter. It's a little bit of a filler, I know I know, I suck. But I'll have another chapter here shortly. Today or tomorrow, promise.

Please let me know what you think! Thank you so much for the support so far. You're all amazing for sticking with me. I hope to return to regular updates.

Myra pressed her back against the warmth of the pick up truck she had borrowed from Harry. His store logo was splashed on the side. He had made her promise she'd bring it back by the end of the day, his new employee relying on it greatly to get around. She agreed, finding the comfort of a pick up truck a little less jarring then the speed of the Mazda RX7 sitting at home waiting for its owner.

The building in front of her was ominous. She had been here before, countless times. But she'd get checked in, have them tell him she was there, and then be rejected. He refused to see anyone in the five years he spent behind the walls and metal and barbed wire. He refused letters, calls, visits; All of it.

She crossed her arms and sighed, watching as the sun created a wavy mirage in the blue sky. The cloud coverage was minimal today and the heat was above 100. It was a glorious day to reacquaint herself with an old friend.

When her phone beeped, an alarm set to inform her when it was exactly five PM, the doors to the main entrance building opened. She couldn't make out prominent features on the men walking in her direction but she knew one of them was Dom. He was much bigger than two of the guys, the third guard just behind him same in stature.

He had gotten bigger. As the gap grew smaller, and his feet carried him to the Iron Gate that was opening now, she could make out the muscles that had doubled if not tripled since the last time she had seen him.

Visions of his father's accident flashed before her eyes, the fire, the screams. She snuffed them out and pushed herself up, taking a few steps towards the gate. He was looking at the sky, eyes closed, cheeks pressed to the sun, breathing in slowly. The three men left him on the other side, in his arms his belongings. They said goodbye and he said nothing in return as the gate closed behind him.

When he looked down and opened his eyes he zeroed in on her perfectly. She was running his business, she was in charge of everything that his family owned, she made it all work, she was the top dog. He still made her feel so small though.

"Nice ride, you get a new job?" His voice was a deep rumble compared to the young Dom that had stepped into prison. Everything was more adult about him, everything had grown up so quickly. She had glanced at the packet the prison had sent her just weeks before his release. Loose-leaf articles about how prison changed a man, what to expect, yada yada yada. She had ignored it, choosing rather to live in her fairy tale world that Dom would be the same.

"Harry owed me a favor. Speed is not the focal point today."

He nodded, walking towards her and dropping the things he had in his hands into the bed of the truck. He didn't ask for keys, just slid into the passenger seat and waited. Myra was suddenly reminded of that first day with him, his watchful eyes on her as she put his shitty Honda Civic into gear and drove off from the house. A meeting at a dinner with all his friends; that felt ages ago. But they weren't friends anymore, and she realized quickly in that one summer what a family was. All thanks to this man.

She closed the door behind her and sat in silence in the truck, windows down, the warm air drifting over both of them.

"Thanks." He muttered it, softly over the silence, his eyes looking out the front window.

"For?"

"Not bringing everyone." He gave her a small grin, muscles flexing under his skin. He wasn't the bronze god he had been five summers ago but she figured that would change in just weeks of being back. Back. The thought of him coming back sent a chill up her spin as she started the truck.

"You kidding? They were all too busy to come look at you."

He chuckled, putting on his seat belt and looking in her direction. He was still Dom. She smiled, he smiled, the air around them loosing the tension as she put the truck into drive and sped off to the restaurant she had planned to take him to months ago. Still Dom.

He had ordered enough shrimp for the entire west coast, and he ate every bite of it. Myra marveled at the food and poked fun but he told her muscles didn't come from lack of food, scarfing it down as it all sat in front of him.

"So the garage?"

"Still going. I've made a few changes in the business aspect, changed a few prices, and invented a Mr. T special for the long time customers. Implemented a computer system, and we've opened up a small but profitable section for Jesse to do decals. But other than that the same." She took a big drink from her soda, watching as he nodded and took in the information. "Well not entirely the same, now that you're back it'll probably be better."

"The boys not showing up on time?"

"It's a struggle. You'd think we were all in college."

Dom chuckled, giving her a small smile before looking out at the ocean scene to their right. "I'm sorry I never let you come in and see me."

"I figured you had a reason."

He nodded, sitting back a little and letting out a sigh. The sun was setting, the surfing crowd using up the last of the waves as the sky turned purple and orange and blue. It was a beautiful picture and Myra was growing more conscious of her luck as she sat across from Dom.

"I wasn't proud of the way I handled all of that. It took a few years in lock up to realize how young and reckless that path was. I regret letting you see me lose control like that."

"You were young."

"We're still young Myra. Regardless, it took me a few years behind bars to realize that revenge was not the right path."

"I understand Dom." She reached out, placing a timid hand on his arm. He looked in her direction and nodded, continuing on with his food. A silence bathed over them as they finished up, sharing a few jokes here and there as Myra filled him in on the mess that was his family. He enjoyed it all, reveling in the fact that Mia was going to college. Bettering herself, getting a business degree.

"So, are you ready?" Myra stood and stretched, tossing down the amount for the bill and a tip, motioning for Dom to follow her out. They headed out to the truck, piling back in.

"There's a party isn't there?"

"Hell yes there is. I'm the distraction so Vince can make sure everything is perfect."

"Vince?"

"God yes. He's missed you. Won't shut up. Not much of a turn on truthfully." She pulled out onto the highway and headed towards their home, Dom sitting silently beside her. She couldn't stop the smile that sat on her face. He was finally back. It was all going to be fantastic.

From here on out we'll be following the movies! And then probably veering off from time to time... Who knows. ;)