"Are you sure I have to go to this party Tex?" Abby opened her apartment door just a crack to look out at her big brother.

"You're a Dinoco. The invitation had both our names on it." He was dressed to the nines, the billionaire was sporting a westernized version of a tux. It suited him. "Besides…I heard that there's gonna be a chocolate fountain."

"That's just plain bribery and you know it."

"It's called negotiating." He grinned. "So, are you going to let me in?"

"Fine." She opened the door the rest of the way and hurried off to her bedroom.

"Hey! What are you wearing? It can't take that long to get dressed."

"Perfection takes time." She yelled at him through the closed bedroom door.

"Sure thing kid."

He heard the door creak open. Abby was peaking out from her bedroom with a shy smile tugging at her lips. She looked like a skittish colt and he found it endearing. He loved his baby sister, and it was times like these that he realized how innocent she could be.

"I don't know about this, Tex…"

"You'll be fine. Now come on, we ain't got all evening." His voice held no bite.

"Ok…" She opened the door and took hesitant steps into the living room.

"You look beautiful." Tex smiled.

She was wearing an emerald green dress, it was off the shoulders, and the neckline was a little higher than a sweetheart cut. A slim bow was tied near her left hip and the bottom of the dress kissed the floor. Her dark hair was pulled into a half updo, showing off her neck and shoulders. Tex was glad he had packed his pistol. He might just need it to ward of the men that would be wanting to dance with his baby sister.

"Really?" She looked up at Tex with wide eyes.

"Really." He kissed her forehead. His little sister had grown up. "Let's go."

"They can't start the party without us."

"I know why you really want to go." Tex grinned as he opened the passenger door for her.

"Why?" She asked as he slid behind the wheel.

"Starts with a C and ends with an L." His grin was smug.

"I don't know what you're talking about." She played dumb, but a soft blush was creeping up her shoulders and neck.

"I knew it!" Tex loved teasing her. Times when they were just Tex and Abby. Two siblings without any cares. The world would be surprised at how normal they were.

"Tex!" Abby punched her brother's arm.

"I'm having a long talk with that boy."

"Don't!" Abby suddenly sounded panicked. "He doesn't know that I exist."

"Well if he doesn't know who you are after tonight…his lights might not all be on upstairs." He cranked the Cadillac.

"Tex…" Abby sounded frustrated. "Please don't say anything. I just noticed him at a race is all."

"You've met him before."

"Once, in person. The other times I just saw him on TV."

"So…you have met?"

"Shoo." Abby realized she'd let the chance meeting slip. Her blush returned. "Just drive."

Tex grinned wider. He loved getting her riled up, it wasn't often that he got the jump on her. The pair listened to the radio as they made their way to the party. Listening turned into a ride filled with karaoke that Abby somehow roped Tex into joining. Times with Abby were his favorite memories.

Abby waited for Tex to park the car. No valets for him, she knew the drill, no one touched the Cadillac.

"You and your baby."

"She's a classic."

"You're just attached at the hubcap to that thing." She wrinkled her nose teasingly. "It's a bad habit."

"Come on half pint." He moved to ruffle her hair and she scowled.

"Don't even think about it."

"Alright." He threw his hands up in surrender, then he offered his arm. "This way."

They had just made it into the lobby when someone accidentally bumped into Abby and stepped on her hem. Rippppppp. A long tear appeared in Abby's dress and she scrambled to cover her newly exposed leg. Without so much as an apology the culprit of the incident strode off.

"Oh no! My new dress." Abby felt tears well up. She'd made the dress herself, she'd spent hours in one of her design classes putting it together. "Tex! I gotta go home. I can't go in there like this!"

"Shh, I'll think of something." Tex scrambled for a solution. Not the tears…anything but the Abby Tears. There was something about when she cried, anyone would do anything to stop those tears. They were always sincere tears…never faked.

"I'm going to call a cab." She moved to pull her phone from her purse.

"Nah, you don't need to. Come on." He took her right hand and dragged her into an empty conference room. Rustling through one of his suit pockets and pulled out a small sewing kit. He glanced around the room and noticed a silver sash laying across a table. "That'll do."

"Are…you going to McGyver my dress?" Abby sniffled.

"Something like that. Here, put the sash behind the tear" With surprisingly nimble fingers he began stitching the silver sash in place. It took several minutes but when he was finished he settled back to admire his handiwork. "There's a mirror over there. Go see if I need to take you home still."

Abby stood and quietly marched over to the mirror. She turned in various ways and noted how the sash started near the hem of the dress and came to a stop just below her waistline. It added to the gown and surprisingly it didn't make the dress look tacky. Beaming she turned and launched herself at her brother.

"Tex! You're the best!" She kissed his cheek happily.

"You're welcome, Abs." He hugged her close. "Now come on, we have a party to get to."

"Alright." She sounded extremely pleased.

They walked into the banquet hall and Tex found Cal talking with Bobby and Lightning. The other racers had dates, Cal looked like a fish out of water. He turned, and his eyes locked on Abby, that's when he really began gaping like a goldfish. Tex smirked but let his free hand fiddle with his jacket. Cal took the hint and gulped, but determination crossed his face.

"Tex." Cal didn't even bother to give his sponsor a second glance.

"Cal." Tex watched the boy carefully. He trusted him enough to race a car for the company…but his baby sister was a different story. After the Blake fiasco…he'd been extra careful.

"Can I have this dance?" Cal stuttered slightly, but his eyes remained locked on Abby.

"Maybe the next one." Abby grinned up at Tex. "I owe Tex a dance for coming to the rescue."

"Anything you say, Abby." Tex smiled and led her onto the dance floor. "Anything at all."