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.

I'm back, as promised!

Today in Fast Lane...

Tina pulls Santana aside to discuss something of importance that she's been mulling over, Kitty has an announcement to make to the team regarding Race Wars, Brittany considers a tough decision regarding her sister and Letty gathers the crew to agree on a plan for after Race Wars...

Thank you so so much to everyone who reviewed and messaged me, it meant a lot and I really do hope you enjoy this next chapter! I'll see you tomorrow! :D

"Ok, that's everything paid for. I'll help you get it into the truck so you can get it back to the garage asap. I'm assuming that you're applying this today right?"

Santana nodded as Holly rounded the counter. "Yep, it's coming out of the box as soon as we pull up."

"Well, I certainly can't wait to see what it looks like on the car. You must be excited Brittany."

The other blonde nodded and grinned at Santana. "More than you know. My girlfriend has an eye for unique kits, I'm just glad it arrived in time."

"I know. You've only got four weeks left until Race Wars. You must be in a mad rush to get all the cars done."

Santana nodded as they followed the shop owner into her back room. "Yeah, there's so many cars to look over it's already starting to get hectic. This car needs this, this other car needs that, Santana there's a problem with this, Letty there's a problem with that. You know the drill."

"Unfortunately I do. With all the parts runs you guys are making I'm impressed at the progress you're making. You're all doing a thirty man job and there's only ten of you. I understand though, keep it cool guys and you'll get it done on time."

"That's the plan."

"You know I'd help if I can but seeing as it is only four weeks until the biggest racing event of the year there are racers from all over the state pouring through my doors asking for all the performance mods you guys own."

"Is that true?" Brittany asked, taking the box Holly handed to her.

"Yep. Kids have taken notice of you guys knocking down Puck's team of supercars. Now they want everything you have in the hopes that they can be just as good but between you and me I don't think you guys are gonna find the competition hard, you've got it locked down."

"When the new cars are finished and tuned that will probably be true but for now we need to actually get these parts into them, starting with this new body." Santana agreed, following Holly out of the front of the shop and towards Burt's garage truck they'd arrived in.

"I have faith. You girls ok to get this back?"

"Of course." Brittany smiled.

"Oh, Holly, have you got that new creeper I ordered in?"

"Oh, yes! Hang on, I'll go and grab it."

Santana nodded and watched as she re-entered the shop, turning back to her girlfriend who was lent up against the side of the truck.

"Hey."

Brittany smiled, leaning in for a kiss. "Hey."

Just as they pulled apart Holly returned with a large box in her arms. "Here you go, one new creeper."

"Great, I'll drop it back at home on the way back to the garage. Thanks Holly."

"No problem Santana. I can't wait to see what you do with this BRZ. Make sure to call me when the body's on, I want to see it."

"You'll be the first one I call."

"I'll be looking forward to it. Have a great day girls."

"We will, thanks Holly."

"Yeah, thanks Holly." Brittany added, the two of them watching as the shop owner nodded and re-entered the building leaving them on their own once more.

"Ok, you ready to get this back to the shop?" Santana asked, turning to her girlfriend.

Brittany nodded eagerly. "Of course!"

"Then let's go."

They hopped into it and Santana fired up the engine, pulling out of the parking space and onto the street. Just as she passed the first stop light she noticed from the corner of her eye Brittany looking at her.

"What's that stare for?" Brittany continued to grin but said nothing in response to the Latina's question. "Britt, seriously, what are you staring at? Do I have sweat patches under my arms?"

Brittany shook her head, her grin growing wider as she let out a chuckle. "You're really excited about this aren't you?"

"About what?" Santana questioned, her gaze flickering to her girlfriend and back to the road again.

"My car. You're excited to start working on it."

"Of course, I've been waiting for this for months."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Well, what makes this more special than the others?"

"Other than the fact that it's my girlfriend's car? The moment I saw it I could only imagine you driving it. If things hadn't happened the way that they did I no doubt would have ended up getting you one."

"Why is it better than my RX8?"

Santana shrugged. "You're the best drifter in Lima, hell the whole state even. You deserve to have a high performance car to match your skills. Not that your RX8 isn't great as it is but I wanted to get you a car that was special that we could work on together."

Brittany smiled and 'awwed', reaching over and stroking the back of her neck where a few stray strands of hair had made their way free from her pony tail. "You're so thoughtful. Thank you."

She lent over, Santana turning her head just enough to allow the blonde to press her lips against hers. Her grin remaining, Brittany pulled away but her hand stayed, massaging Santana's neck as she continued to drive.

"Can I help?"

"Of course Britt, it's your car."

Brittany smiled, the silence settling over them comfortably as they enjoyed the sunshine and the wind gushing through the open windows of the pick-up truck. In that moment Brittany didn't think her life could get any better.

"Ok, one last bolt on the left rear fender. S, you got it?"

"Right here."

"Wanna do the honours?"

"Of course." Quinn handed her the tool and she took a step back to stand next to Brittany as Santana attached the final bolt to the fender. Once the Latina was done she stood up and joined them, the three of them admiring their work. "I must say this is one of the hottest kits I've ever had the pleasure of applying to a car. Britt when you slide around a corner in this thing, especially in the canyon, you are going to cut through the competition like butter. When this thing is painted it's gonna be scary as all hell."

Brittany laughed. "That's the plan."

"Yep, it'll look even hotter with the spoiler. Just gotta get it and the car to paint so we can then bolt it on. It'll be a force to be reckoned with."

"Word to that." Quinn smiled, fist bumping her best friend. "Oh, and good work Britt. You're a quick study but if Santana's mentoring you I'm not surprised. If you wanna help out again just let me know."

"I will, thanks Quinn."

"Ok girls, is it finally done?"

Santana nodded. "Yep, it is Mia. You can go ahead and call Kurt to bring over the truck so that we can get it over to his shop. This thing is ready to be painted."

Mia smiled. "I'll get on it right away."

Santana killed the engine to her Supra and got out, pulling off her sunglasses as she lent back in to grab the white plastic bag off the passenger seat. Locking up the car she pocketed her keys and hooked her Ray-Bans on her garage shirt, heading into the garage. No one in sight, all on their lunch break, she headed towards the back to the small office tucked away where she knew Tina would be.

"Hey, I got lunch. You said you wanted to talk to me?" She asked, sitting down on the empty stool next to Tina and placing the bag of food onto the empty space on the desk.

"Yeah."

"Is it about the Evo? I know it's nearly finished so there shouldn't be any problems this late in the game."

Tina waved her comment away with a dismissive hand, grabbing a sandwich and handing it to the Latina before grabbing her own. "Don't worry, the Evo's fine. I actually wanted to talk to you about the other day."

"The other day?" She frowned, taking a bite of her sandwich.

Tina nodded, taking a bite of her own food. "Yes, when you changed something within me."

"Oh, when I suggested you find something you're good at and stick to it?"

"Yes."

"Ok, what is it?"

"Well, I've already been practising with Marley and I finally feel as if I'm starting to get good enough."

"T, that's great!"

The Asian girl smiled. "I know but I'm sure when I get some tips from you and Brittany I'll be ready for Race Wars. I feel optimistic."

"That's a good sign."

"It is but I didn't ask you here just to thank you."

She raised an eyebrow in response. "Ok..."

"I asked you to come here so I could say something I've wanted to say since that day."

Santana swallowed the current bite of her sandwich and waited patiently as Tina took a deep breath. "Go ahead."

"Santana, ever since you made me realise that life is short, a.k.a. the day you got shot, and the day you told me I could be just as good as everybody else, I'd just have to put in the time, I've realised that it might just be true. I just needed to believe in myself. As a result I forgive you for what happened. You proved that you weren't a heartless bitch the day you came back and practically begged us to let you help us win Race Wars this year. You're cool with me, if that's what you want that is?"

Santana broke out into a grin and pulled the other woman into a tight hug, exhaling a relieved breath. "I accept. Thank you Tina, I appreciate it."

"It's no problem. You've earned it."

"Thank you."

"Bah, now, how do you want to spend the rest of lunch now that I've got that off my chest?"

Santana paused for a few moments before smiling. "How about you show me the numbers the BRZ is gonna do once I'm finished bolting on all of it's performance candy?"

Tina grinned, already tapping away expertly fast at her computer with just one hand. "It would be my pleasure."

As Kitty approached the entrance to the garage, the keys to her Audi in hand, loud music could be heard bleeding out into the warm summer's day afternoon. She smiled as the crew came into sight, most of them except for Letty of course, singing along whilst working. She had to admit, after everything that had went down with Cassandra and Santana she didn't think she'd ever see this again – the crew so happy. They were in sync with one another, they were a crew again, and she was sure that her news was going to make them happier than they already were, if that were even possible.

Mia smiled when she saw the blonde and started making her way out towards her. "Hey Kitty."

"Hey Mia."

"Are you here to see Dani?"

At the mention of her girlfriend's name she smiled. "I wish. I actually have news for all of you."

"News?"

"It's good news don't worry."

A wider grin grew on Mia's face as she nodded and turned to the crew. "Everybody we have some news!"

Pausing what they were doing and stopping the music Letty voiced the question in their heads. "What kind of news?"

Mia shrugged. "According to Kitty good."

"Ok, everybody gather 'round!"

Now stopping what they were doing everybody gathered at the entrance to the garage around Kitty in a semi circle.

"Hey babe." Dani grinned, pressing a chaste kiss to Kitty's lips before stopping to stand next to her.

Kitty smiled in response. "Hey."

"Ok, what's the news Kitty?" Letty questioned.

"Ok," She began, clapping her hands together. "For the past month or so I've been talking to Shelby and this morning we finally came to a deal."

"Come on Wilde, spit it out already!" Marley laughed, some of the others chuckling, including Kitty.

"I'm gonna be sponsoring you guys for Race Wars this year!"

"It's official?"

Kitty nodded to her girlfriend and it was then that the rest of the crew finally reacted, cheering and grinning as they celebrated the fact that they'd just filled their last required sponsor slot.

"I can't wait, this is going to be so exciting!" Mia squealed, pulling Kitty in for a hug.

"I know, I can't wait to see you guys with my patch on your shirts this year!"

"It's about damn time, it feels like we've been waiting forever!" Letty laughed, pulling the blonde in for a slightly less exaggerated hug than her girlfriend had moments before.

"I'm proud of it, this years going to be different, I can feel it."

"I hope your feeling is too, we have a lot to prove. So, in the spirit of doing well at Race Wars we should get back to work, these cars aren't going to modify themselves."

"Aww but Let, can't we celebrate for a little longer?" Rachel whined, a pout on her face.

The Latina shook her head. "I would love to but we all have work to do, including you. I promise a round on me at Kitty's after work, sound good to you?"

"Yeah."

"Good, then let's get back to work ladies! Thanks again Kitty, we needed that."

She shrugged at their leader. "Anything to help them work faster, I can't wait to see you repping at Race Wars."

"I can't either. We'll see you tonight?"

Kitty nodded. "Of course."

Letty silently nodded in response and walked away, leaving just her and Dani. "Well done babe."

Kitty shrugged. "It was nothing, you're the one who needs thanking. You helped me decide to do this."

"Whatever you say. I'd love to stay and, like, make out with you right now but I've got work to do."

"Of course you do, I do too but I'll see you tonight?"

Dani grinned, leaning in closer, wrapping her arms around her waist. "Of course you will."

"Good."

Leaning in the older blonde pressed her lips against the bar owners, Kitty getting lost in the feeling of her girlfriend. Unusually for her though Dani pulled away with a grin. She was usually the one who pulled away first because they had stuff to do. "I've got work."

"You must have if you ended it first."

Dani rolled her eyes and pulled away. "Yeah, yeah."

"Just one more thing..."

"Yeah?"

Kitty grinned, cupping the other woman's cheek. "I love you."

Dani grinned right back. "I love you too."

Kitty pulled her in for another kiss, this one a little softer than the first, before eventually pulling away and heading for her Audi which was parked at the entrance to the yard. Dani watched her girlfriend walk away with a smile before turning back to the garage and heading inside. She had work to do and she was ready to do it.

"All I'm saying is, I don't know what you want me to say." Santana replied, her feet sticking out from under the Camaro which she had brought home to work on. In reality it was something to keep her hands busy when she wasn't at work to keep her distracted from the impending Race Wars.

"San-"

"Britt, baby, she's your sister, not mine."

"And you're my girlfriend."

"I know but it's not like I've spent enough time with Abby to have an opinion."

"Ok then, think of it like this: how about you just give me your opinion as a racer?"

"Ok, well, I think you let her try."

"To race?"

"Or at least let her see what she'd be getting into. What I don't understand is why now?"

Brittany shrugged just as Santana rolled out from underneath the car. "I don't know. Maybe it's Race Wars coming up, the fact that we're looking like a stronger team more than ever with you beating Cassandra or maybe it's just exciting for her."

"Have you ever thought it may be because it's in your blood? Your mom seemed pretty into cars, you ended up racing as part of a crew and working at a high performance auto garage and you just so happen to have a girlfriend that is one of the best wheelmen in the city."

"Don't you mean state?" Brittany smirked, Santana rolling her eyes.

"Still, my point still stands, maybe she's just doing what's in her nature. In my opinion I'd let her explore her curiosity. It could never hurt, she might not like it once she's seen it up close and personal."

"And what if she does like it? What do I do then?"

"You'll continue to be her big sister, support her, and protect her as best you can. I'm not gonna lie this life is hard, you know that, but why deny her the trying part? You never know, you guys could have another member of the crew when Race Wars ends."

"What if she gets hurt?"

"You can't stop her Britt, you also can't stop what happens, that's out of your control. All you can do is support her in whatever she wants to do."

Looking up Brittany watched as Santana lent against the hood of her Supra wiping her hands clean of dirt and grease. Standing up from the fold-able chair she'd been sat on Brittany made her way over to her, turning around so that her back was to her front as she lent into her. Almost immediately Santana's arms wrapped around her waist from behind and she relaxed into her touch, feeling her chin prop up on her shoulder.

"It wouldn't hurt to let her get a taste for it. She deserves that much."

Brittany remained quiet for a few beats, playing with Santana's fingers before replying. "When did you get so wise?"

"When I found the perfect reason to be." She smiled, telling Brittany it was her via a kiss to the back of her neck.

"Still, thank you."

"No problem, or at least, I think."

Brittany chuckled. "You helped, you really did. I guess it's the stubborn big sister in me telling me to protect her. This lifestyle nearly took you from me, I couldn't lose my sister to it too."

"You won't. We learned our lesson the hard way, even if we didn't want to. Abby's got so many roads she can go down Britt, we have to let her explore them and choose herself. That being said if she does choose to do this she'll have a strong crew to look after her when she does."

"What if she wants to start her own crew?"

"Maybe in time but right now think about the people who would be looking out for her. She's not exactly going into this alone."

"I know, I just wish she'd picked any other time than now. Race Wars is so close, we have so much work to do, how am I going to handle it all?"

"You have me silly, remember that."

Brittany grinned and turned her head enough to allow Santana to place a kiss on her lips, her grip on the blonde growing tighter.

"Thank you." She whispered.

Santana smiled and pecked her lips again. "No problem. Oh, there is one more thing though..."

"What?"

"I do have one idea..."

"Ok, care to share?"

Santana bit her lip playfully. "Yeah, how about you wait and see? It's a surprise."

"San!"

"What? You're just gonna have to wait until everybody else finds out."

"Fine." She pouted, making the Latina laugh. "How long do I have to wait?"

"Until Monday."

"Aww, but San! That's ages away!"

"Britt it's Saturday today! You can wait a day!"

"No I can't!"

Rolling her eyes Santana let out a breathless chuckle. "How about this then?"

"What?" Before she could question her further she felt Santana's hands trail under the hem of her t-shirt and start to caress the warm skin of her toned stomach.

"How about I keep your mind occupied otherwise?"

"Is that an offer?"

Santana shrugged, placing a kiss to the hollow of her neck. "Only if you're willing to bite."

The blonde chuckled breathlessly. "Oh, I'm willing to do more than just bite."

Grinning Santana nipped playfully at her her neck. "I'm taking that as a yes then?"

"There is no other answer. When can we start?"

Chuckling Santana gripped Brittany's hips closer. "Right now."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"So, I heard you and Shelby talked things out." Letty started, taking a sip of her Carona as she and Rachel sat on the front porch of the house just as the sun was setting over the city.

Rachel nodded, taking a sip of her own drink. "She made me talk."

"But you didn't leave."

"I couldn't run from it any more, I had to face it."

"And what happened?"

"We got into the deep stuff, we talked about Finn and Cassandra and Santana and we came to an understanding."

"That doesn't sound good."

Rachel rolled her eyes at her step-sister. "I don't mean like that. It's a good kind of understanding, don't worry."

"Ok, and if you don't mind my asking what decision did you come to?"

"We both admitted we were wrong for the things we did, past and in more recent times, we talked about winning Race Wars, for both us and Santana, and agreed that our fighting wasn't going to get the crew anywhere. It would only rip us apart. We remembered why we were so close to begin with, what we'd been through as mother and daughter, and agreed to leave it in the past."

"So you're good?"

Rachel nodded, cradling her bottle in both hands. "Yeah, at least as much as we can be right now. Things will take time to heal, I'm not denying that, but we're good enough to work together to help the rest of the crew take down Cassandra and Puck. We have to be, the crew comes first."

Letty smiled at her sister and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for hug and making the younger woman giggle in response. "I'm proud of you hermanita. Both of you. Maybe now we can grab lunch together at the diner?"

"Are you offering to pay?" The brunette grinned, taking a sip of her beer.

Letty rolled her eyes. "Of course. Is that a yes?"

Rachel nodded and lent into her embrace smiling. "There's no doubt about it. Yes, hermana."

Letty just grinned and hugged her sister tighter. Things were definitely looking up.

Everybody crowded around the BRZ at the front of the garage. Amongst them was Abby who Santana had called in to give her the news about their decision. Even though the young blonde was excited her older sister was less than enthusiastic. She was more nervous and worried than anything. Santana had told her she had a plan but she'd had to wait all weekend to find out along with the rest of the crew.

"So, the Impreza is a very possible project after Race Wars. That's the main thing." Mia smiled.

Letty nodded in agreement with her girlfriend. "Yeah, there's no doubt we won't be able to handle it. By then we'll have all the cars finished and we'd all be able to focus on just one, the entire crew. Now, I'm not against that and neither is Burt but I understand that there's more to it right S?"

Santana nodded. "Yep."

"Then why don't you put forth your idea to the rest of us like you did with me and we'll discuss whether it's a good idea?"

"Of course. Abby ever since you suggested that you wanted to explore more into the street racing scene I've been thinking. It's not an easy life, every single woman in this circle will tell you that, and it can almost kill you, behind the wheel or not. Just look at me, I'm living breathing proof of that. Anyway, I've talked to your sister and as you can understand she's worried. You're her little sister, it's her job. She nearly lost me to this, I can understand why she wouldn't want to put you in harms way. That being said we can't stop you either. If you want to explore this then none of us are going to stop you, it wouldn't be fair. I suggest a plan."

Abby looked at her wearily. "Ok...?"

"I suggest letting you tag along to an upcoming race. You can stay back with the rest of the crew and see how it's done and decide whether you like it or not. If Rachel's up for it that is?"

Said brunette smiled and nodded. "Of course."

"Good." She said, turning back to Abby. "You'll see how it is, what goes on, and then you can decide if this is really what you want."

"That sounds good." Abby agreed.

Letty cut in. "It does and if you're still serious about it afterwards we'll look into getting you a part-time job here at the garage. That'll give you from then and until just after Race Wars to get used to working in the garage on cars before we take on the Impreza. This is because you'll have to pull your weight – it is your car after all."

"I understand."

"Good. Is everybody else ok with this idea?" When she got a round of nods and audible agreements she turned back to Abby. "You sure you want this?"

Without hesitation Abby nodded, a familiar grin plastered across her lips. "Of course!"

"Good, there's a race tomorrow night. Be at the house at ten in your Impreza not a minute late." Abby nodded eagerly. "Then we'll see you tomorrow. The rest of you let's get back to work, Race Wars isn't going to win itself."

Everybody parted ways, Letty stopping Santana who was on her way over to her girlfriend, clapping her on the shoulder. "Nice call Santana."

"Thanks boss." Letty nodded with a small smile before walking away, leaving Santana to continue over to Brittany and Abby.

"I'll be ok Britt, I promise. I'll meet you at home and follow you and Santana to the house?"

"Yep. We'll be there."

"Ok, I love you Britt-Britt. Thanks Santana."

"No problem."

"I love you too Abby. Bye!"

Abby waved and jumped into her Subaru, Brittany sighing as she watched her drive away. She was broken free from her thoughts when she felt Santana clasp her shoulder. "You know she's right don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"She'll be fine."

"I know, it's just-"

"You're worried."

Brittany sighed again, this time louder, as she rubbed at her forehead. Santana pulled her into a hug. "It'll be ok Britt, I promise. Now come on," She started, placing a kiss to her forehead. "This BRZ is practically begging for us to bolt on more parts."

"I guess you're right. Thanks."

"No problem." She smiled, pecking her lips. "Let's go."

Taking the offered hand Brittany let her girlfriend pull her towards her new car.

TBC