"Tex! Have you seen my blue heels?" Abby called as she rushed around her apartment.

"Can't say that I have." Tex poked his head into her bedroom.

"I know I didn't leave them at your place."

"You could have." He frowned.

"No. I brought those with me. I'm sure of it." Abby fiddled with her blue dress. "How do I look?" She turned away from her floor length mirror. Her hair fell loosely around her face, she wore no makeup, but she seemed to be glowing.

"You look beautiful, Abs." Tex smiled warmly at her.

"It's not too casual?" She turned slowly to look back at the mirror. It fell a few inches below her knees and billowed out just a little.

"Like the Dinoco Princess that you are." Tex grabbed her left hand and spun her around.

"Thank you, King Tex.," Abby laughed at the little ritual. They'd been doing it since she could remember.

"Your wish is my command kid." He kissed her forehead and stepped back to get another look at her.

"Where's Cal taking you?"

"No clue." A gleam filled Abby's eyes. That look had been missing for a long time. Her previous boyfriend had hurt her badly. "Do you think he'll think I'm pretty?" The insecurity that Blake had caused reared its head and Tex wanted to take a little visit to the prison.

"If he doesn't…then his elevator doesn't go to the top floor."

"If you say so."

"You just let me know if he steps out of line. I'll be there quicker than you can say Texas."

"I won't need to call for help." Abby sent her brother a smile. "Thank you for the offer though."

"Anytime." He grinned. "So, you and Cal?" Mischief filled his eyes.

"Don't start anything!" She slapped his arm. "You do like him though?" Her voice was tentative.

"Course I do. He drives for me, don't he?"

"That's not what I mean…"

"You mean, do I like him dating you?"

"Yeah."

"I like him, so long as he treats you right. He's a good boy."

"As far as you know." Abby teased him slightly, but there was a sliver of worry in her eyes.

"Abs." Tex pulled her into a tight hug. Once again, he wanted to pummel the jerk that had hurt her. "Cal won't hurt you. I promise. I already spoke to him."

"Tex!" She pulled back slightly to look at him. "You didn't!"

"I did. Ain't letting another boy take you out without talking to me. He asked me before he asked you."

"What am I gonna do with you!?" Abby shook her head in exasperation.

"Nothing. You're going to get going to your date."

"He ain't here yet."

"He will be soon." Tex grinned. "Think I need to pull out my gun. Give him another warning?"

"Don't you dare!"

B-rrinng! B-rrinng!

"Hey, Cal!"

"So, umm…They've moved up the race."

"Why?"

"It's supposed to rain. They don't want a rain out."

"So when's the race?"

"Today." Cal sounded upset.

"Today." Abby's face fell.

"I… Can we go out tomorrow?" Cal felt like he was the worst person in the world. He had been looking forward to their date all day. Now, he didn't even feel like racing.

"Um, I have something to do." Abby's heart fell into her shoes. "Hope you win." She hung up and hurried off to her bedroom.

"Abby! What's wrong?" Tex called after her, but there was no response. He moved to go after her, but his phone rang.

"Cal. What happened?"

"The race got moved up to today. Abby and I can't go out."

"… You win that race. I'll talk to her."

"I'm sorry Tex. I really want to go out with her."

"It'll all work out."

"If you say so." Cal didn't sound convinced. "Make sure she's ok." He sounded hesitant, as if he hadn't said the right thing.

"Bye Cal. Go win that race." Tex hung up. He had to do something. A plan sprung into mind. Quickly he dialed a number. "Gray. I need you and Luke to meet me at Cal's trailer.

Abby hadn't wanted to go to the race, but Tex had made her go though, despite all her protests. She knew it wasn't Cal's fault that the race had been moved up. However, her heart was in a sensitive place. She'd gotten her hopes up, only to have circumstances dash them to pieces. Stupid rain. She leaned back in the box as the race neared the final lap. It was a neck to neck race, Bobby, Lightning and Cal were all vying for first.

Her heart was pounding in her throat as the checkered flag came down for the last time. She surged to her feet as Cal crossed the finish line. He'd won! Despite having been upset that they wouldn't be able to go on their date, she had wanted him to win.

"He won!" Abby smiled at Tex.

"He sure did. Now come on. We need to head home so we can order that pizza I promised."

"I still don't understand why you wanted me to wear this dress to the race." She huffed as Tex lead her to where he'd parked the Cadillac.

"Hey Abby!" Luke popped out from nowhere and startled her.

"Luke?" She looked confused as the man grabbed her right arm.

"Yep, come on. I want to show you something."

"Tex and I were headed home to get pizza."

"Come on." Gray grabbed her left arm. "This way."

The two men escorted her to Cal's trailer, both ignoring her protests and questions. Without a warning Gray opened the trailer door and Luke shoved the protesting woman inside.

"Come on guys!" She fumbled with the lock trying to open the door. It was blocked from the outside.

"You have to wait!"

Abby knew it wasn't worth the fight. Luke could be as stubborn as a mule. With a huff she turned to look around the trailer. She had to look twice at her surroundings. Cal's trailer had been transformed. A table was set up with a fine red tablecloth, two lit candlesticks stood on the table along with a vase with half a dozen roses. She smiled and turned look around more. Lights had been strung around the trailer roof giving it the look of the night sky. Soft music played in the background. She sunk into the comfort of one of the plush seats.

"Luke! What are you doing?" Cal had been escorted from the winner's circle as soon as he'd collected his trophy and gave a speech.

"Come on! Your trailer is on fire!"

"What!?" Cal hurried along with Luke.

They'd barely made it to the trailer before Cal found himself being tossed inside unceremoniously. He stumbled a little, clutching his trophy. Luke needed some mental help.

"Luke! Come on!"

"Cal?" Abby looked startled at the sight of him.

"Abby?" Cal turned in surprise.

"What are you…"

"Doing here?" The racer stared back at Abby.

"Tex. He must have arranged all this."

A knock sounded at the door and Cal sat his trophy down to answer it.

"Delivery for Weathers?"

"Um…"

"It's already paid for."

"Thanks?" Cal glanced at Abby expecting her to explain.

"I…"

Three or four men brought in various covered dishes and sat them on a side table.

"Have a good evening." The men disappeared and the door was closed.

"Looks like we're on a date." Cal grinned at Abby. They both loaded their plates before setting them on the main table. She blushed softly as he pulled out her chair for her.

"Thank you."

"You look …great." He stammered. "I mean beautiful."

"Thank you. Good race out there." Her face was red as she felt him staring.

"It was a tough one."

"You did great!"

The evening went on with the two of them talking about everything and nothing. Abby was smiling more than she had in a long time. Cal was beside himself, Abby was amazing. She didn't seem to get bored with him talking about racing and she didn't get annoyed when he wasn't as witty as most guys would have been.

"Want to dance?" It had taken him ten minutes to work up the courage to ask her.

"I'd love that." She stood.

He stood up and joined her in the little space that the trailer provided. Uncertainly the pair began to dance. Cal drove her home before ten o'clock, he parked and walked her to the door.

"Night Abby." Cal smiled. "I had a great evening."

"I did too." Abby smiled back at him.

"Friday at 6?" Cal looked hopeful.

"I'll be ready."

"I'll see you then." Cal squeezed her hand gently and headed back to his car.

Abby floated inside. She was ecstatic, the evening had gone better than she could have ever dreamed. Her feet glided across the floor as she made her way into the living room and flopped onto the couch.

"Have a good evening?" Tex smiled as he walked in from the kitchen. He'd been staying with her while his house was undergoing some extensive repairs.

"The best." Abby sighed happily.

"Good."

"Thank you, Tex.," She got off the couch and hurried over to him. With a smile she gave him a bear hug.

"Ain't a problem Abby." He hugged her back. It was the greatest feeling to see her smiling brighter than the sun.

"You always save the day. Always." Abby hugged him close before heading off to bed. "Thanks for rescuing our date."

"Anytime. Anytime at all."