As much as I would like to own them, all the characters of Glee belong to Fox – I own nothing. All the characters of The Fast and the Furious belong to Universal Studios, I'm just borrowing some of them. All writing belongs to me.
YAY, new chapter! (Sorry for any mistakes in advance that I may have missed!) I know, It's been a long time but I'm finally back! I'm gonna try my hardest to get this finished for you guys soon so bare with me and I will work my ass off to make sure it does. Anyway, this chapter had been sitting on my laptop just over halfway finished for about two months or so but I finally powered through my writer's block and got it done. That's it for my status update but thank you to everybody who sent me kind words of encouragement and stuck it out with me, you guys know how much I appreciate the love and support as this story would never get finished otherwise! :D
Welcome to all my new followers! I'm sorry I haven't been updating but thank you for taking the time to sit down and read through my story, it means a lot as it's so long already! This chapter has a been a long time coming, no truer words have been said. If you don't know I update every Saturday every 1 to 2 weeks (depending on how writing goes) so keep that in mind! :)
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Santana was just pulling on her gloves as a familiar car pulled up into the storage depot's open lot. She waved them down and soon enough they were pulling up next to her Supra which was now tucked away in the shadows.
"Lopez, what's going on? When you text me I thought you wanted to talk about something serious, not go out driving without back up. What's going on?"
Santana looked up and watched as Dani made her way over to her. "I got a phone call."
"From who?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean 'don't know'?"
"I got a call from someone who was altering their voice. They offered me a chance to get the car I originally wanted for Brittany so I took it."
"Without even thinking?"
"I didn't have chance to, it was either yes or no there and then. That's why I called you."
"What about Quinn? Isn't she your best friend?"
"She is but I figured she wouldn't mind sitting this one out. I needed someone I trusted enough to help me pull this off."
"What about Brittany?"
"They told me I couldn't bring her."
"So instead of asking your best friend to help you with this you called me, of all people, instead?"
"Does it really matter?"
"To me it does."
Santana sighed and took a step closer to the other woman. "If you really wanna know the truth I wanted to say thank you for the other day at the speedway. You didn't need to tell me what you did so consider this me throwing you a bone because come on, you would have been mad that you didn't get in on this job."
Dani smirked. "Damn right."
"Well then, now that's settled do you wanna see what car they gave us?"
"Hell yes!"
"I thought you'd say that." Santana chuckled, turning to the tarp covered car located a few feet away from them. "Ok what are we working with?" Pulling the tarp back with Dani's help she exhaled a breath of air she didn't know she had been holding, hearing Dani whistle next to her. "Oh wow. Es bonito."
"Oh wow en efecto. Mommy likes."
Santana laughed at the other woman's comment and took a step back to admire the blue velvet metallic coloured car in full. "This thing is amazing. Looks like it's tuned to perfection as well. Hood pins, after-market body kit, performance brakes and suspension, this thing is loaded."
"What model is it? I don't think I've ever seen a Camaro that looks like this."
"That's because you haven't. It's a 2016 model, it's not even out yet, at least not for the public anyway."
"And we get to drive it?"
"Looks that way."
"That's fucking cool. Whoever the person on the other end of the phone was must have some serious connections to have pulled this one for us."
"I know."
"And now we're gonna go and fuck it up."
"It's a shame but that might be true. We won't know until we get to the truck though."
"That's true. Just before we do though, there's something I wanna say."
"Go ahead."
"Thanks for considering me for this. You didn't have to. I know you'd rather have brought Quinn instead of my angry ass."
"Hey, I needed an angry ass for this. I didn't know what I was gonna be up against and I figured I kind of needed someone who wasn't afraid to take the big risks right there and then in the moment."
"And you thought of me? Geez, thanks Lopez."
Santana laughed as she picked the keys off of the hood. "Hey, it was either you or Quinn. Who has the balls to do anything they want when it pertains to matters behind the wheel?"
"Point taken. So, who's driving this thing?"
Santana looked down at the keys and then tossed them to her. "You."
"You sure?"
The brunette Latina shrugged. "It's my girlfriend this job pertains to so it's my responsibility. Just make sure you can keep up with the truck."
Dani smirked over at her as she clutched the keys. "You don't have to worry about that Lopez."
"Good, now are you ready to go?"
"I was born ready."
"Then pull on your gloves and get in. We have a long night ahead of us."
Santana checked the navigation system in the center dashboard again.
"How much further have we got to go?" Dani asked, keeping her eyes on the darkened road ahead.
"About a mile."
"What do we do when we hit a mile?"
"I don't know. I guess the truck's stopped or something."
"What if it's not?"
"Hold on."
"What?"
Santana frowned in thought for a few moments. "What if it's on the move? The directions are just a guide."
"How'd you figure that out?"
"The phone call. They said to follow the directions and once I'd reached the truck the rest was up to me. Maybe we have to continue on once we've hit that spot and find the truck from there."
"Or we could wait where the directions end and see if it turns up. I don't know, you're in charge here Lopez, it's your call."
There was a brief moment of silence that took over the car as the gears turned in Santana's head, the Latina mulling over her options. Her brain was telling her to stop and wait but her gut was telling her to carry on. If there was one thing she'd learned being both a street racer and the woman that she was it was that her gut was almost always right. That meant the decision wasn't that hard.
"Carry on."
"You sure?"
She nodded. "I have a gut feeling that this truck is on the move. If we stop we could miss it and it would be long gone along with the car. I think you'd better put your foot down."
"Ok boss."
"There, I think that's it up ahead. Try and get me a closer look at it."
"Already done." Dani sped up a little and pulled up to the side of the truck so that Santana could see it. "Is this the one we're looking for?"
Santana saw the massive 'Rodgers' name painted on in blue letters on the side and turned to Dani. "Yep, it's showtime."
"How are we gonna do this?"
"I want you to get me close enough so I can transfer onto it."
"Wait, you want to jump onto it? Without a harness or any kind of safety equipment?"
"I don't see any other way."
"We could pull up, stop it, and get the car whilst the truck's stationary."
"Too risky. These highway truck driver's usually come with a shotgun that they won't hesitate to shoot first and then ask questions later. I don't know about you but I'm kind of tired of being shot at."
"Good point. Ok we'll do it your way. You just tell me where to drive and I'll do it."
"Thank you. Right, I've got a carabiner from Mia's train raid that I'm gonna hook on one of the roof hooks. See it?"
Dani squinted out of the wind-shield. "Yeah, I can just make it out."
"Good. I'm gonna jump, hook myself up to it as soon as possible and then swing around to the back and cut the doors open."
"Why not just cut them with a bolt cutter?"
"Because despite how much I love my good 'ol trusty bolt cutters that haven't let me down as of yet I know it won't be easy. I need something simple that fits right into the palm of my hand, hence this." She pulled something from a holster on her thigh.
"What's that?"
"A mini plasma cutter."
"Are you sure that thing is gonna be powerful enough to cut through that door?" She questioned, gesturing with her hand to the back of the truck in front of them.
"It's stronger than it looks but it's gonna have to be first time lucky."
"Why's that?"
"It's only got enough juice for one try."
"So if you fail to cut it right the first time we're fucked?"
"I wouldn't say fucked but we'd be pretty close to it. Anyway, I'm not gonna let it come to that."
"I hope you don't or else I hope you can pull a miracle out of your ass Lopez or this car isn't coming home with us."
"It is, trust me. I'm gonna get that car for my girlfriend even if it kills me."
"I hope you're right. I've got your back on this though." She smiled, holding up her closed glove-clad fist over the dashboard.
Santana bumped it with her own. "Thanks. Here's to it being a simple in and out."
"Yeah, here's to in and out."
"Yep. Now get me as close as possible."
"Just tell me a side."
"The truck's drivers side. I want you to get me as close as you can without touching it so I can jump out the window. Once I'm on the truck I want you to wait until I'm hooked up via my carabiner and rope and once I've radioed back to you that I'm good I want you to get back so that you're right behind the rear of the truck and stick to him like glue. Got it?"
"Loud and clear."
"Good. Here's a radio. Make sure you move as soon as I tell you to."
"I'm on it S. You don't have to worry." Dani reassured, clipping the small radio onto her ear the same as the other woman was doing.
"I know, I just want to make sure we're both in sync with each other on this, there's only two of us."
"We're good. Bros?"
At Dani's grin she accepted another fist bump. "Bros."
"Cool. Good luck S."
"Good luck D." She smiled back.
"Here goes."
Suddenly the car sped up and they were moving up alongside the large vehicle. It was go time.
As soon as the car was level with the middle of the truck she rolled the window down and prayed to whatever God was listening before planning out mentally in her head how she was gonna do this. The window was tight, she'd have to get through it in record time if she was going to maintain control over her body whilst the Camaro moved at a high speed to stay alongside their target.
"Here goes." She muttered under her breath, pulling up the concealing bandanna over her mouth securely, and before Dani knew what was happening Santana was suddenly moving.
She watched from the corner of her eye as the other Latina hoisted herself out of the window until she was halfway, halfway there and halfway behind.
"Dani, get me closer!"
"Already on it!" Her eyes flickering from the road in front of her to the truck beside them Dani nudged the Camaro closer. "How's that?"
"Closer!"
Moving again her eyes settled back on Santana briefly. "What about now?"
"That's good. I'm going for it! Three... two... one!"
A second later she was pulling herself the rest of the way out of the window and throwing herself around so that she was on the hood. Once she had a grip on it she righted herself and with a nod of understanding to Dani through the windshield Dani swerved the rest of the way to the right and Santana watched eagle-eyed for the right moment to move, seeing it and seizing it when she took that leap of faith and pounced on the truck.
As soon as her body collided with said vehicle it caused the rear to swerve a little out of control, Dani reluctantly pulling away to avoid being hit by the large vehicle. She watched on helplessly as Santana swayed back and forth clutching on for dear life as the driver of the truck up ahead tried to maintain control of his vehicle and it's trailer. Knowing that she had to be there in case Santana needed her, one of the reasons why she had brought her in the first place, she steeled herself and swerved back desperately trying to maintain her own control as she swerved with the truck, glad that the Camaro had been fitted with a large racing wing to help keep her rooted to the road.
"Hold on Santana!"
"I'm good, I just need to get up."
Dani's eyes flickered from the front to her side where Santana continued to struggle and hoped that she could pull herself up.
"You can do it S! Push it!"
With Dani's words of encouragement Santana looked up and gritted her teeth as she hoisted herself up and onto the roof, sighing in relief when she hit it.
"S, you good?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Get to the back."
"Are you sure?"
Gripping on tightly to the roof that she was now located on Santana could see that it was all back under the driver's control.
"Yeah. Get around to the back. We need to move fast before he kills us both, gun or not."
"Copy that. Moving into position now."
Santana watched from where she was currently holding on to see Dani pull back, the Camaro coming into line behind the truck as it had once before.
"Ok, I'm moving now. I'm gonna hook myself up and lower down. I want you on his ass like glue you hear me?"
"Like glue, got it S."
"Good, I'm going now."
She slowly crawled towards the end of the trailer and once she was close enough she reached down to her belt and unclipped one of the heavy duty carabiners and clipped it onto the hook that was conveniently placed on one of the corners of the roof. At least one thing was going her way. Knowing she had no time to dwell on this though she reached back down to her belt and pulled out the rope, hooking it onto the carabiner much like the day they had raided the train and once she had hooked herself up to it securely she looked over the edge and down at Dani was was about a car length behind her and the truck.
She held up a gloved thumb. "I'm descending now. I'm counting on you D."
"And I'm not gonna let you down. I'm gonna be right behind you the entire time."
Nodding at her she turned her back and shakily dropped herself over the back edge of the trailer. Dani watched with hawk eyes as the other Latina carefully and slowly made her way down, the blonde not willing to let her out of her sight even for a millisecond. It was her responsibility to have Santana's back, she wasn't going to let her down now, not after everything they'd been through.
Suddenly the truck swerved to the right and as soon as he caught sight of the Camaro swerving back in behind him he sped up.
"Dani, what's happening?"
"He saw me!"
"What do you mean?"
"He saw me and I think he freaked out. I've had to speed up to catch up with him. He's trying to fucking shake me."
"Stay cool and keep glued to the rear of the truck. I need you here in case something happens."
"What about you, are you good?"
"I'm fine. It just means that we're gonna have to be even more careful because we're going faster. I've got it D, just make sure you have as well."
"Copy that."
"Good, I'm moving down the few final inches now and I'm gonna start cutting into the door. Be ready for when it flies off."
"I will be."
Santana moved down the remaining space and once she was level with the rear doors she made a quick mental plan of how she was going to do this. Knowing what she had to do she reached down and unholstered the plasma cutter, firing it up and testing it by pulling the trigger. When she saw the flame she turned back to the door and started cutting, going from left to right and top to bottom and back again. She moved back as much as she could whilst still being able to reach and took a deep breath.
"You might wanna move Dani."
Looking up ahead at the woman in front of her Dani watched as she cut the last side of the door, waiting for her moment to move. When she saw it she swiftly curved the Camaro to the right just as the hunk of metal came free, Santana bracing herself as it flew off with a power she didn't want to be stood in front of. The sheer force alone probably would have killed her had she been in front of it, in a car or no. When she looked back up at Dani and saw the blonde throw her a thumbs up as she centered herself back behind the truck Santana sent her a nod in return and turned back to the remaining door. She cut into it as quickly as possible, using all of her skill as the truck continued to travel at a high speed. It was almost enough to throw her off her game but the mental image of the woman she was doing this for kept her grounded and allowed her to push through the obstacles before her, cutting as if her life depended on it.
"Ok D, second one's coming your way."
"Already waiting."
Santana pulled back as she had before and soon the second door was flying off, Dani missing it having moved out of it's line of sight. Once she was back in behind the truck she looked to Santana.
"You're good to go."
"I'm pulling myself in now."
Dani watched as she did just that, Santana landing in the trailer in the narrow space between her and the car.
"Shit."
"S, what is it?"
"The car's at the back."
"How many behind?"
"Just this one here." She responded, pointing to the copper coloured Toyota 86 nearest the open back of the trailer.
"What do you wanna do?"
Looking back to the car next to her Santana thought for a few moments before looking back at Dani. "We're gonna cut it loose."
"You sure?"
Looking from the Toyota to the blue BRZ tucked away at the front of the trailer Santana looked back to her partner and nodded. "I hate to waste a perfectly good car but this situation calls for sacrifice. If we're gonna get the BRZ out of here we're gonna need to get this one out first."
"Ok, whatever you want to do boss. I've got your back on this. Just tell me where to go."
"Stay protecting the back of this trailer whilst I figure out how to cut these straps free."
"Got it. Looks like you're gonna have to do it the old fashioned way."
Santana nodded, hands on hips as she stared at the car in front of her. "Yeah, the old fashioned way. It's gonna take longer but it's gotta be done. You ready?"
"Of course."
"Good. Then let's get this baby free so my baby back at home can have a new car when she wakes up."
Not sure of unhooking herself from the safety rope just yet Santana moved around to get a better look at the straps holding the car down. It was the same concept as the Evo in the shipping container but this time she'd have to undo them properly via the clasps. It would take longer, and in their current situation – i.e. the truck going so fast it wasn't ideal but it would have to do. She'd just have to work fast that's all.
She made quick work of the first strap at the front of the car and made her way as quickly as possible around the front, squeezing herself in between the two vehicles and unhooking the other. Once it was free all she had to do was loosen the second one and release the blocks wedged underneath the rear wheels and she could push it out. It was a waste of a car but it was the only way they were going to be able to get this BRZ whilst on the move.
Dani watched on from the Camaro whilst keeping up as Santana moved as quickly as she could in the moving vehicle, the truck swaying violently due to the speed in which it was going. It wasn't safe but he was trying to shake them and it was making their job harder. Dani just hoped Santana could pull this off. She wasn't going to be the one to tell Brittany that something happened to the other Latina whilst they were pilling off a secret job without telling anyone.
Once the last strap had been loosened Santana looked up at Dani and with a shared nod she kicked out the rear blocks from under the wheels, the car not moving. It was heavy enough to stay stationary for a little while but it was now free enough to move when pushed.
"You might wanna move out the way D, this thing is gonna fly out of here and go wherever the hell it wants to."
"I'll move up alongside the trailer. I won't have eyes on you though."
"It's cool, I've got this."
Knowing not to fight Santana on this Dani didn't reply and pressed her foot down, pulling the Camaro up alongside the trailer once again. Knowing that this was her opportunity now Dani was out of the car's line of fire she pushed as hard as she could on the front end. It seemed like an impossible task for just one woman but thankful for her strength Santana managed to get it loose but just as it started moving the truck violently swerved to the left and in Dani's path sending Santana flying into the hard metal wall of the trailer. Now free the car picked up speed and was flushed from the trailer at an awkward angle, immediately hitting the asphalt and flipping out of control. Sparks flew as it rolled on the highway and Santana was gasping for air at the sudden turn of events.
"Dani... what was that?!" She panted, shakily pulling herself to her feet.
"I don't know! He swerved suddenly and headed straight for me. Luckily I pulled away just in time."
Santana was about to respond when the truck jerked to the opposite side throwing her off her feet once again.
"Fuck!"
"S, are you ok?" Dani yelled through the earpiece as she swerved to avoid being hit by the truck.
"Ugh," She groaned, reaching up a hand to rub at her head. "Yeah, I think s-" Before she could continue she was thrown again. "Dani what's going on out there?"
"He's losing control He's going too fast. You're gonna have to get out now!"
Knowing that she was right Santana pulled herself up the best she could despite the violent movements of the trailer and used what strength she had to stay upright and turn towards the car. Deciding to move it rather than be thrown into the floor again she double timed it towards the front of the BRZ, hating that she couldn't take the time to admire the beautiful car for what it was due to her current situation. She'd have time for that later though – when she was back at the garage stood next to Brittany, the woman who would eventually slay everybody in her path with it. That thought alone, Brittany doing what she did best and putting other drivers to shame behind the wheel, was what drove her those last few feet, grabbing the keys off the hood of the car and gripping hold of the rear strap both to get started on releasing it and for support as the trailer shook to one side once again.
"S, you'd better get your ass in gear quick or else this fucker is gonna kill the both of us!"
"I'm trying D. It's not as if it's exactly easy considering the fact that I'm being thrashed back and forth!"
"I know, just hurry it up. Soon he's gonna loose all control. You don't wanna be in that trailer when he does."
"I know, I know!" She gritted through her teeth, her gloved hands desperately working to free the rear of the car from its straps.
Once they were gone, only the front remaining, she knew that the next decision she made would be a risk between literal life and death. If this didn't work she'd be trapped. She had to have faith in a car she'd only just laid eyes on but if her research and ruthless planning to get her love the perfect car was anything to go by this was going to go exactly how she planned. It had to.
Deciding to take that risk she kicked out the blocks from under the rear wheels and unclipped herself from the rope she'd been using as a lifeline. As soon as she had the car unlocked she slid in through the space the door provided and buckled up into the race harness. She slid the keys into the ignition and as soon as the engine fired up she threw it into reverse and started accelerating.
"Santana..."
"Yeah?"
"The guy just jumped."
She froze. "What?"
"He just jumped. He grabbed his pet iguana and jumped. The truck has no control."
As if to reiterate her point the trailer jolted and she could see in the rear view mirror how it swerved across the road.
"You'd better hurry it up!"
"I'm trying!" She gritted through her teeth, a vein in her forehead popping out as she pressed her foot all the way down to the floor, smoke billowing out from the tires as she tried to force the car free.
Her doubts were coming true and her risk looked as if it were going the exact opposite way that she wanted it to. Instead a sudden jolt of the trailer as it swerved out of control served as her way out, keeping her foot to the floor as the car bounced upwards enough to come free of the front tire blocks and eventually the straps.
Dani watched on from her place not that far away from the truck as Santana threw the car backwards. The BRZ flew from the rear of the truck rapidly and Santana barely had time to brace herself as she fast approached the asphalt of the freeway below. Unlike the Toyota 86 that she had pushed free the BRZ had a driver behind the wheel, it had her, and despite her arms aching as she desperately fought for control she managed to brace the car in the best position she could muster as it finally hit the road surface, debris of the rear bumper flying in all directions as she fought for control. Smoke bellowed from the tires as she spun the wheel, the wheels protesting as she threw them in a direction that desperately begged for control of the vehicle they were attached to. Luckily she gained just enough to allow her to snap the car around, now in reverse with her back to the trailer she had just flew out of.
Dani watched on in horror at the sight in front of her. "Santana!"
"I've got it D! I can take it!" She growled, watching in the rear-view as the trailer now crossed the entirety of the road. Santana's eyes met Dani's briefly but for long enough. "Stay on me!"
"What?!"
"Stay on me!"
Growling to herself all Dani could do was grit her teeth and as she gripped the wheel tightly she pulled the Camaro up close to the front of the BRZ, about a foot between them, and stayed glued to Santana as if her life depended on her. She braced herself for the impact but it never came. Instead by the grace of God the trailer started rolling and as it gained momentum on them it started bouncing higher and higher and just as it was about to hit them they slid underneath it, Santana's plan coming to fruition. Dani knew that had she not ordered her to pull up close she would be crushed under God knows how many tonnes of metal in a fiery wreck right now but she wasn't. Instead she was panting heavily as she allowed herself to pull free of the target-like lock she had had on the BRZ, Santana snapping the car back to face forwards. Her foot immediately pressing down heavily on the gas pedal Santana let out an exasperated breath she didn't know she'd been holding.
"What the fuck was that?!"
Santana laughed at Dani's statement. "That my friend, was a moment you will really wish the rest of the crew had seen. We just pulled off a near death fucking move! Nice driving."
Seemingly catching herself Dani started to smile. "Not so bad yourself Lopez. How'd you know it was going to work?"
"I didn't."
Rolling her eyes Dani caught her breath. "Whatever. That was fucking amazing!"
Santana laughed. "Hell fucking yeah it was!"
Just as soon as their happiness that they'd just pulled off the hardest job they'd faced started to take flight their bubble was burst. "Yo, D, check it."
"What?"
"Blue lights."
Looking up into her rearview mirror Dani sighed. Cops. "Fuck, five-0. How'd you wanna do this?"
"Like we always do. Wait, up ahead."
Turning her attentions to the road up ahead Dani saw the distant glow of flashing blue. "Fuck."
"Looks like a roadblock. Let's get free of it and outrun them so we can go home."
"What if there's too many?"
"That's why I brought you D, you stole a cop car from a police parking lot and got away clean didn't you?"
"Yeah, I guess I did."
"That was pretty fucking awesome. Now is no different. You just have a better car. A fucking awesome one at that too."
Looking over at the car that was driving alongside her Dani threw Santana a smile. "Ok, I've got your back, I still have. Let's do this."
"That's what I like to hear. Let's do fucking this!"
Santana shifted up into a higher gear and Dani was right behind her, the two women heading straight for the police blockade up ahead.
Dani watched up in front of her, seeing the two weak points and when Santana moved to the right she stayed left. They both hit the block at the same time, breaking through the temporary barriers that were usually used for crowd control and letting them fly high into the air as if they were nothing but twigs. Dani and Santana didn't care though, instead focusing on the exit and the upcoming. Ahead they spotted about four Dodge cruisers all lined up ready to pull off the side of the road. It was easy to predict. They'd pull out just behind them, two to a suspect, and try and pit manoeuvre as soon as it was safe for them to do so. What they hadn't counted on though was Dani and Santana. If anyone knew about escaping from police it was them and they sure as hell weren't going to humiliate themselves by getting caught today. They were taking this car home to Brittany one way or another.
Santana gripped the steering wheel with her gloved hands a little bit tighter and prepared for what she knew would happen, which it did. The two cruisers on the left hand side of the road pulled up behind her alongside one another whilst the other two did the same to Dani. She could just make out the other cars in her rearview mirror as they slowly started catching up. Spread across four lanes of traffic going both ways Santana expertly dodged oncoming cars as the two Dodge Charger's stayed as close to her as possible. She knew moving over next to Dani was a risk as they'd have a chance to get them both at the same time and it would make it that much harder for them to escape in one piece the closer they were together. Instead she clenched her jaw and continued to weave in and out of civilian cars as the cops behind her desperately tried to keep up in the hopes that they'd be able to bring her down with a simple hit to the back of her rear fender. She wasn't going to let that happen.
They were both in the dark as to what the police were planning, i.e. radio chatter, but it wasn't as if they needed it. Sure, it would be nice to have Tina's police scanner right now but being back to basics and trusting their instincts instead of relying on a simple box was kind of thrilling. It was a rush you couldn't get anywhere else. Sure, it was dangerous, but knowing that they could be caught at any moment was enough to keep them on their toes, their senses sharper than usual as they expertly weaved in and out of traffic, a simple skill needed as a racer and something that was tested to it's limits right now as the police force gained on them significantly.
"Yo, Lopez, you seeing what I'm seeing?"
Looking up ahead Santana could just make out the flashing red and blue lights, sighing as she checked on her two closest pursuers in her mirror. "I see it Harper, they're spread across two lanes. Shit."
"Don't worry, I think I see two spots on either side."
"Enlighten me." She said as she dodged an SUV.
"Stupid fuckers put the barriers in between each car. We have an easy way out."
"I hope you're right on this D."
"Of course I am. Just brace for impact."
And she did just that, her hands gripping the wheel even tighter as she fast approached said barrier. Sirens roared obnoxiously as she hit it at high speed, the fragile barrier snapping under the immense pressure and flying in different directions as she cleared the second blockade and effectively lost her two close-behind pursuers.
"We lost those close pigs. What now?"
"I see SWAT."
She was sure she could practically hear Dani frown over the radio. "What do you mean?"
"SWAT trucks. They aren't going to let us through D."
"I know. What do we do?"
Looking up ahead Santana scouted the oncoming terrain with her keen eyes, marking a way out. "The next two slip roads. I'll take the one on the left and you take the one on the right."
"Are you crazy?! We're not splitting up!"
"Dani we've got now other choice and we've got to do it now!"
"Fine but if we get lost and can't find each other I'm blaming you."
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Just go."
"Lo que sea. See you on the other side Lopez."
"You too Harper."
And with that she pulled onto the opposite slip road, a few cruisers following her down it. Looking ahead she clenched her fists over the wheel as she took in a deep breath. "Ok baby, let's see what you can do."
She pressed her foot down harder, the car easily slipping into a faster pace. The engine purred and for a minute Santana's mind was whisked away to thoughts she'd had months ago, knowing that this was indeed the perfect car for her girlfriend and nothing else would have stacked up. Now she had a chance to get it for her but she had half of the states cops on her ass because of it. She was abruptly pulled from her thoughts when she heard her phone ringing in her pocket. Frowning she looked up in her rear-view and when she could only see the lights of two cruisers a good ways behind her she fished it out as quickly as she could and realized that the person who had called her with this job in the first place was calling her now. Rolling her eyes she prepared to give them a piece of her mind as she slid her gloved finger across the screen to answer.
"Before you curse me out about how this isn't fair, listen. The heat was necessary. This is your last test."
"Last test? I've got half of the state's fucking police force on my ass because of this car!"
"Not because of the car, because of ME."
"Wait a minute," She frowned. "You said on the phone I could keep the car you gave me if I made it back. You called the cops on purpose."
"You're a smart woman. I won't lie and tell you I didn't because I did. Now these law enforcement officers are chasing two wanted street racers for theft of a vehicle and destruction of property as well as harm to others."
"All for a car."
"All for someone, not simply just a car. Don't forget who this is for Miss. Lopez. Like I said, you escape, you get to keep the cars. It's quite simple really."
"Yeah, it sounds simple to you maybe. Me however? Not so much."
The distorted voice on the other end of the line laughed. "I have faith in you and your co-driver Santana. Here, I do have this for you though."
"But-"
"Units be advised suspects were last seen driving a blue 2013 Subaru and a dark blue 2016 Chevrolet. All units be aware and on the lookout, these drivers are considered dangerous. Lethal force is authorised."
"Shit."
"Remember, I have faith. Just don't get caught."
And with that the line went dead, Santana momentarily glancing up to her rear-view mirror and sighing. "D, you get that?"
"I heard it loud and clear S. What do you wanna do?"
"We need to get back on the highway and press through the heat. It's the quickest way back home."
"Agreed but it's crawling with cops."
"I know but do you have any better ideas?"
She heard Dani sigh. "No."
"Then the highway it is."
"Ok, I'm heading back now. How's it on your end?"
"Quiet, a few cruisers. I'm on a deserted road though but I have a feeling it's going to get a whole lot stickier when we hit the main road."
"Word to that I'm-"
Santana frowned when Dani cut off mid-sentence. "Dani? D? Speak to me!"
"S, you've gotta get back now! I just hit the highway and they're boxing me in! I have no way out!"
"Ok, I'm heading back right now. Hold tight D, I'm coming to get you!"
Shifting up a gear Santana saw the next opening onto the highway and took it, speeding around the curve and seeing Dani in the Camaro up ahead. Seeing the cops swarming around her she cursed. This wouldn't easy. She'd have to get there, weasel her way in and get them both out again. Gritting her teeth though she wasn't about to let it get to her. She'd been in plenty of sticky situations before just like this and if there was one thing she knew how to do it was evade cops. The fact that it was Dani made her even more determined.
She shifted into yet another higher gear and watched as cops started swarming around her. Having faith in the car she was driving however, even if it was just stock, she knew it could do the job. She wouldn't have picked it for Brittany if it wasn't. Back to the task at hand she scanned the scene before her expertly in the blink of an eye, mapping out her route and already executing it. Dodging around a police SUV she put her foot down and the engine growled in satisfaction as she placed herself in between the car that was directly behind Dani and the one that was to the right of her. It was a classic box-in and the fact that there were more cars piling on around them made it a smart move but she was smarter. She was a wheelman and a street racer, she had to be. Her eyes flickered between the car next to her and the one just in front of her. She edged her way forwards until it pushed them away and when she was alongside Dani she knew this had to go perfectly or basically they were screwed.
"D, I'm gonna move. When I do you stayed glued to the back of this BRZ as if your life depends on it. I'm gonna create an opening and I want you to follow me through it or they're gonna fuck us over. You with me?"
"Of course."
"Ok then, let's lose these pigs."
Timing it would be everything. She watched as the car to her right now boxed her in and the one directly in front of Dani moved slightly to the right. The cops were losing either way. Stay where they were and it would leave an opening on the right, move to cover both of them on the right and it would create an opening on the left. Either way Santana knew she had a way out and she and Dani were both taking it whilst they had the chance. Before giving the cops any ideas Santana decided to seize the moment before they didn't have one at all.
"Ok D, now!"
Shifting up a gear and putting her foot down on the accelerator she let the car lurch forward into the opening on the right. Not letting Santana's earlier instructions go wasted Dani stayed true to her word and focused on the back of the BRZ as if her life did actually depend on it. She was grateful. If you'd asked her months ago if she'd be depending on Santana to save her ass from the cops she would have probably laughed in your face and slapped you but now as they cleared the box-in of law enforcement she couldn't have been more thankful that they'd repaired their friendship. She sure as hell would have been in the shit but even as they were still being chased as they freed themselves she yelled out in relief.
"Thank God! You saved my shit there Lopez!"
"Don't thank me yet, we've still gotta lose these idiots."
Dani laughed but soon sobered. "I know, thanks though."
"No sweat. Let's just lose these guys."
They spent the next few minutes speeding along the highway, more cops joining the chase and it wasn't long before the cops initiated the next phase of their plan.
"Shit, Lopez we've got a bird."
Glancing upwards through the front wind-shield momentarily Santana sighed. "I know, a chopper means serious shit."
"Yeah, be on the lookout for spike strips. Two SUV's just joined the chase."
"More than that. I just eyed two SWAT Hummer's and a Corvette."
"They're bringing out the big toys. How many more do you think they've got?"
"I don't know but it's sure as shit a lot more than what we're seeing right now."
"Word. Hold up, I've just spotted something behind us."
"Where?"
"In your rear-view, look to the left. Two high powered '13 Viper's just joined along with an unmarked '06 model."
Santana sighed as she spotted said cars. "Shit."
"Is it safe to say we're-"
"Don't you dare say it Harper. We don't have a choice, we have to escape. Not only for us but the rest of the crew and our girlfriends."
"Fine fine but how do we lose them? An R35 and a Porsche 911 just joined the chase and we're on an open stretch of highway running from them. There's no street blocks and alleyways to lose them in, we're sitting ducks out here especially with the chopper."
"Hold yourself together Harper, we'll make it through this. Just let me think... I've got it!"
"Enlighten me."
"We have to lead them towards the city."
"Are you crazy?!"
"Maybe but it's the only way we're gonna lose them. The road narrows into two lanes on either side of the highway before you hit the expressway. There's going to be more traffic making it a little harder for us but easier to evade them. It's the only way."
"Ok but I hope you know what you're doing for both our sakes sister."
"So do I D, so do I."
Putting her foot down Santana led the way and Dani wasn't far behind, the blonde keeping close in behind her as she paved a way through the oncoming traffic as the cops massed behind them. Things were becoming dire but they were both determined to make it out of this alive and free. They just had to do it first.
Shifting up a gear Santana watched ahead as an SUV changed lanes. She swerved around it and cursed out loud when she caught sight of what was up ahead.
"D, up ahead we've got two Challenger's. Looks like they're waiting for us."
"Then just blow past them. It's not as if we can avoid them, the traffic's too thick."
"Ok, stay close."
"Already on it."
They moved faster, sirens blaring as they weaved in and out of other cars and passing the two Camaro's stationed either side of the road. As expected they both joined the chase and Dani and Santana had no choice but to try and shake them in the thickening amount of vehicles. That was no easy feat. Santana pulled up and swerved in front of a bus, earning a loud blare of it's horn from it's driver but she paid it no mind. Dani followed close behind and went the opposite way, moving out in front of a BMW estate car as the gap narrowly closed. The traffic did eventually get thicker and it was getting harder to navigate, the cops just barely keeping five car lengths behind them as they raced ahead into tricky waters. The gaps were smaller and the driver's less forgiving, everyone fighting for a spot. This was the main highway into Lima from the outside world and even at this time of the morning there were a substantial amount of people making their way into the city. It made their job harder but this is what they trained for, street racer and cop alike. Luckily for them though a numerous amount of training learned the hard way on the streets evading cops whilst still trying to win the race meant that they had the upper hand and therefore the most training out of the two. That's why even with so many black and white's on their tails Santana and Dani managed to somehow lose them in the thick of the traffic flow entering the expressway. Well, at least the main bulk of them anyhow.
"Well, shit, we did it."
"Don't count that as a win yet D. We've only just hit the expressway. They're still gonna have one last thing to throw at us."
"What do you mean? You speak like you know from experience."
"I do."
"Wanna tell me whilst the heat's cooled off a little?"
"That day I came back to Lima, the day Cassandra arrested me and offered me the deal. She hit me here at the entrance of the expressway. Then what must have been the entirety of the Lima police department rained down on me. They pulled out all the stops; helicopter, SUV's, supercar cruisers, blockades, spike strips, anything to get me to stop."
"And how did she?"
"Spike strips. I would have got away clean if I hadn't hit my tires. I was basically fucked, I had no wheels to carry me to freedom."
"And she arrested you and took you back to LPD and offered you her deal?"
"Yeah, something like that..."
"Take the keys out of the ignition and slowly step out of the car now!"
"Shit."
She did as she was told and pulled the keys from the ignition, killing the engine.
"Ok, now throw the keys out of the window and show us your hands at all times as you open the door."
She did that too, regrettably throwing her beloved keys to her 350Z out of the window and slowly opened the door.
"Now put your hands on your head and face the car!"
Raising her arms slowly she placed them on the back of her head and followed the directions, turning and facing her car door. Moments later her arms were being yanked down and she was being cuffed, a female voice coming from behind her as they slammed her down onto the hood of her Nissan.
"Hello Miss. Lopez, glad to finally meet you."
As she was escorted to the back of one of the patrol cars she heard the woman yell out to one of the other officer's. "Get that car to the impound lot ASAP. I don't want a single scratch on it!"
"Yo, Lopez, you still there?"
Shaking her head free of her thoughts Santana nodded even though she knew Dani couldn't see it. "Yeah D, I'm still here."
"You spaced out there for a few minutes. Thinking about her?"
"Yeah and the moment my entire life changed."
"Well, this time you've got an extra set of wheels to help you. We're gonna get out of this together you hear me?"
"I hear you Dani."
"Good because I spy an SUV blockade ahead."
"Can you see if any of the highway cops managed to keep up?"
"Uh, yeah. The GTR, The Fastback and the newer Viper along with some bog standard Charger cruisers."
"Ok, stay sharp, be on the lookout for spikes and we'll be home in no time."
"Now there's the Lopez I know and love! Hells yeah, I'm ready!"
"Good, then let's do this."
It wasn't easy but somehow they managed to pull it off. They'd gone from impossible odds to reality and now they were on the home stretch. The question was could they make it back to the garage without getting spotted or caught? That really would be a bummer.
Santana was the first one to slide into the yard, Dani close behind as they finally ended the wild night out in the place they both considered the finish line. They'd managed to lose the last few cops in and around the various city blocks and headed back to home base the moment they agreed they were no longer being chased. Now that meant that they were in the clear and they could relax a little and take a much needed breath. Surviving the highest heat level you've ever experienced tends to wear you out.
"Lopez, I swear, that shit was intense! Remind me why I haven't escaped five-0 with you yet?"
Santana laughed as they rounded the fronts of their cars, pulling Dani in for a bro hug. "You just haven't asked. You had my shit back there, thank you."
"Yeah, well, maybe we'll have to change that. No problem though, I've got you." The blonde chuckled.
"Yeah, maybe."
"Dani Devonne Harper!"
"Santana Maria Lopez!"
The two said women turned around just in time to see their very angry looking girlfriends fast approaching them.
"Oh shi-"
Before Santana even had time to finish her sentence she was met with a hard shove to the shoulder by Brittany.
"Hey, what was that for?!"
"For leaving me in the middle of the night without telling me where you were going!"
"But I had good reason!"
"Not good enough! That's not gonna cut it right now Santana."
"Or for you either." Kitty frowned, cutting off any protests Dani was about to voice.
"They're right. It was reckless." Letty added, the whole crew trickling out from the garage behind her.
"What was I supposed to do?" Santana asked.
"You should have called at the very least. How about you explain from the beginning what happened?"
Santana and Dani exchanged looks before Santana shrugged and started, the whole crew now surrounding them. "I got a call telling me about the car that I originally wanted for Brittany. They said if I could steal it I could keep it. I couldn't bring Brittany with me, their instructions, so I picked Dani as I needed someone with the balls to pull off something risky. We headed to the location, picked up this Camaro and headed to the next place it told us to go. We then hijacked it from a moving truck and were intentionally thrown into maximum heat by the person who set me up with the job in the first place. I'm talking Camaro's, Corvette's, R35's, Vipers, Ford SUV's, Porsche's, Mustang Fastbacks, Hummers, Challengers, SWAT and even helicopters, the whole entire state police force was on our asses in the space of five minutes. We managed to lose them and headed back here. Granted the two cars may need a bit of tlc in the morning but we managed to escape with them so we get to keep them."
Dani nodded along with the other Latina. "Yeah, at least we're in one piece and not dead or locked up in police cells."
"So you expect me to believe that you two single handedly stole a car from the back of a moving truck and escaped the entire state police force?"
Dani and Santana exchanged looks and both shrugged and nodded at the crew leader. "Yeah."
Letty laughed unabashedly. "Oh wow, this is priceless. I can't believe you two actually did it."
"It really happened!" Dani protested.
As Letty's laughter died down her face sobered and a frown set itself upon her face. "Yes and in the process you two put yourselves at serious risk trying to pull off what sounded like it was supposed to be a five woman job! You needed back up but you did it anyway!"
"I had no choice! The voice on the other end of the line, which was made to sound distorted by the way, said I couldn't tell anyone, I could just bring a partner. I did as I was told, I picked the person I thought was most capable to get the job done and I stole a car from the back of a moving truck. Not to mention that that truck had no driver."
"What do you mean 'no driver'?" Quinn asked, frowning at her best friend.
"Exactly what I said! The guy bailed on us just as we were about to drive the thing out the back! The trailer naturally slid to the side and I had moments to get out before I was actually killed or crushed or both. I pulled off a stunt knowing that I was risking my life. I knew I was being stupid and I knew you wouldn't approve but this plan to get your cars was mine and I was determined, and I still am, to get the job done even if it's only me doing it. The fact that it was Brittany's car, my girlfriend, meant that it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. This car is now hers for Race Wars. Letty, I know you mean well but I couldn't pass it up, I just couldn't."
There was a brief break of silence before Letty took a step closer and clapped Santana on the shoulder with a tan hand. "I know. Just... next time call us? Or don't be so reckless? Either of you, we all need you both for Race Wars, at least in one piece. The fact that you're here is a miracle so let it be in the past and get these cars into the garage before the cops spot them and start asking questions, ¿lo tienes?" When she got a round of nods and murmurs of yes' in response she smiled. "Ok then, let's go!"
When the cars were hidden and out of the sight of the police Santana followed Brittany to her RX8 whilst everybody else left. Once they were alone the blonde gripped either side of Santana's face tightly within her hands and pulled her in for a kiss that spoke volumes to what she was feeling.
"Never do that to me again." She whispered, strained, into Santana's ear as she pulled her close.
"I'm sorry Britt." She whispered back, wrapping her own arms around the other woman and drawing her closer. "I really wanted to tell you, I just couldn't."
"I know, I know. Just don't leave without saying anything again ok? I don't think I can take losing you a second time."
Pulling back Santana reached up to brush a strand of hair off her face followed by a lone tear that tracked it's way down her warm cheek. "And I can't either. I can't promise you anything like that but I can promise to try. I love you too much to leave Britt. I love you too much."
"And I love you too."
Sealing the confirmation of their feelings with a kiss Santana soon broke out into a grin. "Do you love your car?"
This time it was Brittany's turn to smile. "Of course I do! It's badass!"
"It most certainly is and it's going to own the streets of Lima when I'm through tuning it."
"That sounds like a promise. Are you willing to keep it?"
"I'm sure I could. I won't stop until that car is the best drifter from Lima to New York. Think you could handle that?"
Brittany chuckled, her arms wrapped around Santana's neck. "Most definitely but for now can I just go home with you and be 'best snuggler'? I miss my Santana pillow."
"'Santana pillow'?"
"Yeah, you're like the best pillow ever. I thought you aready knew this?"
"Hmm, I think you'll have to remind me but can we go and get my car first? I sorta left it when I took the Camaro."
"Of course, as long as you promise to snuggle."
"Yes, I promise to snuggle."
"Then it's a date! I'm gonna hold it to you Santana."
Said Latina laughed as she opened the passenger side door of her girlfriend's RX8. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
TBC