Dom's Homecoming

Chapter 9 Taylor's POV

As we walked into the Bureau headquarters, aka confiscated safe house; I could feel Dom's eyes on me. I could tell he was still reeling over what I told him back in the truck, I just didn't know what he thought about it because he hasn't said a word since. I couldn't help but wonder how he would react if I told him it wasn't the only time or the first time, I had been with a woman.

My thoughts were shattered as we stepped into the Captain's office and I saw the huge wanted poster with Dom's face plastered on it. "Agent Vaughn, it's about…. Wait! Why the fuck isn't he in shackles Walker?" Cpt. Lopez bellowed, pointing at Dom.

I jumped in before Walker had a chance to answer, "Because it's not necessary Lopez! He isn't going anywhere! No one forced him to come back here; he came back on his own free will!" I snapped as I stepped in between Dom and Walker.

"He is a wanted man Taylor and is to be considered armed and dangerous!" Lopez responded, not backing down.

"You must be talking about the muscle because he's obviously not packing anything else!" I stated as I motioned toward Dom, dressed in nothing but tight jeans and a snug wife beater.

"Fine Taylor but it's your ass if he fucks up!" Lopez said with total frustration, and then continued, "Alright, I have an update for you. Tran called to check the status on Toretto and when I told him that you guys were coming in today, he moved the meeting to tomorrow night. Therefore we have one less day to prepare."

"What is there to prepare for? He wants me in exchange for Mia, and that's exactly what he's gonna get. Me, in all my glory! Don't bother reducing my charges, just add murder to it!" Dom exclaimed and I could see his anger growing.

"Look Mr. Toretto, you can't just go in there with guns a blazin'!"

"No you look Mr. Lopez, I'm gonna do whatever it takes to get my sister back and I'm gonna make that son of a bitch pay for fucking with my family!" Dom said anger now evident in his features.

"Alright, let's just calm down and we'll get you guys settled in here and we'll discuss this later." Lopez stated, trying to clam Dominic down.

"No Miguel, they're not staying here in the safe house. I'm responsible for these guys and I trust them to stay at Toretto's place. It's the least we can do considering he'll be locked up when this is over!" I stated or should I say demanded.

"Fine, whatever! It's not like I run anything around here; I'm just your captain!" Lopez replied half joking and half frustrated.

"I knew you'd see it my way!" I said as I got up and led the guys out of the office.

We got back in my truck and Dom just sat there for a couple seconds. "What's up Dom?" I asked and he turned to look at me, "Ok, I have to ask….are you bi or what?" Dom asked with a totally straight face. Leon and Brian burst into fits of laughter and I couldn't help but join them. "Come on! I just want to know what my chances are of getting a little Manaja action!" Dom stated and soon joined our laughter.

I finally stopped laughing long enough to answer him, "I tell you what, let's see how all this pans out and I'll see what I can do!" I stated seductively. Then Leon had to add his two cents, "I have a question! What are the chances of joining in on that action?"

I couldn't help but laugh even harder when Dom snapped his head around to face Leon but his answer took me by surprise, "Hey, the more the merrier!" Dom said and then turned around and put the truck in drive.

Ten minutes later we were pulling into Dom's driveway. I could see the nervousness in his eyes but I could also see his excitement. I guess it was finally hitting him as he stared out the window at his house. As we all stepped out of the Escalade, I walked around to stand by Dom as he continued to stare at his house. He put his arm around me and I could feel him trembling.

All of a sudden the front door came flying open and Jesse ran out onto the front porch. Dom froze and his eyes started to gloss over as he slowly started to walk forward as if he thought he was seeing things. When Jesse leaped over the rail, Dom took off toward him and wrapped his arms tightly around him. I looked over at Leon still standing by the truck and his eyes were streaming with tears.

Leon finally made his way over as Dom let go of Jesse and turned back to me. My heart melted at the sight of his tear stained face and I quickly made my way to him. He wrapped me in a tight embrace and sobbed into my shoulder. Finally he lifted his face to mine and stared deeply into my eyes, "Thank you so much Taylor, for bringing me home!" He sweetly stated before softly kissing my lips.

We stood there kissing and it was as if the whole world disappeared. That is until we heard Jesse and his hyper self, clearing his throat, "Umm, did I miss something?" He asked, motioning to Dom and me.

Suddenly it hit me, he didn't know about Letty! "Let me guess, you and Letty finally decided to call it quits before ya'll killed each other?" Jesse joked and I noticed Dom's head drop. I know Jesse had no idea but that was a bad choice of words and it really struck a nerve.

I watched as Leon draped his arm around Jesse and started leading him back in the house to explain.

"Dom, baby, you ok?" I asked after the guys finally made it inside.

"It's just…I know Jes was just joking but…" I cut him off, "I know!" I said, wrapping my arms around him.

Not even five seconds later, Jesse came rushing back outside, "Dom, man, I'm sorry! I had no idea! I shouldn't have said that and…" Dom stopped him as he once again wrapped his arms around his sobbing friend. I could feel my own tears begin to rise. I know how it feels to lose someone close to you.

I turned around and walked back to my truck as my tears began to flow down my face. Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and I quickly tried to wipe the tears away. "What's wrong Tay?" I head my brother's voice, quietly whisper in my ear.

I turned to face him and I almost lost it. "Brian, look at these people! They're not just a team, they're a family and they're falling apart. First Letty dies; Vince is in prison and now Mia!" I explained as my tears began to fall harder at the thought of losing Mia.

"Taylor, Mia is going to be fine! We'll get her out of this!" Brian tried to comfort me. Then I continued as if I hadn't heard him, "And Lopez actually expects me to arrest Dom, to lock him up and rip him away from his family when it's so obvious how much they care about each other! It's not gonna happen!"

"Taylor, what are you saying? You're gonna do what I did, aren't you?" Brian asked and before I could answer Dom stepped in, "No, she's not!" He answered

Dom then turned to me and continued, "I'm not gonna let you do that! I'm not gonna let you jeopardize yourself for me! Not for me!"

"Dom…" I tried to respond but he cut me off, "No Taylor! You're going to do what you have to do and so am I!" We assumed he was talking about doing his time but I was starting to have my doubts. I just hope he doesn't do anything stupid!

I stood there staring at the stern look on his face and didn't even attempt to argue. The less I know, for the time being, the better. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Brian walked away, to join Leon and Jesse on the porch.

Dom just stood there, studying my expression, then finally took a few steps, closing the gap between us, "Why couldn't we have met under better circumstances?"

"I know. That really would've been nice. But I guess sometimes you just have to make the best of the hand you've been dealt!" I replied as he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me to him. "And that's exactly what we're gonna do. I finally believe that everything happens for a reason and we wouldn't have met under these circumstances if we weren't meant to!" Dom said as he quickly kissed my cheek and then added, "Now come on, this might be my last night as a free man! Gotta make the best of it!"

As Dom pulled me toward the house I couldn't help replaying his last words in my head. What did he mean it 'might' be his last night as a free man? Why am I even asking myself that? I know exactly what he meant by it. He's not gonna go quietly and that scares the shit out of me but I know I can't let it show.

We followed the guys inside and Dom seemed so happy being back home. I watched him as he looked around, taking it all in, "It's nice to see nothing has changed. Even V's guitar is still sitting in the corner." Dom said with a pleased grin.

"Yeah, Mia said you'd be pissed if you came home and everything was different." Jesse joked.

I turned to Dom, "I'll be right back, I need to use your restroom!" I said as I turned toward the stairs.

"It's the first door on the…"

"I know where it is, I've been here many times." I stated, cutting him off.

"Right, I forgot!" He suddenly remembered.

"Just remember to put the seat back up with you're done!" Jesse called after me and I threw up my middle finger at him and laughed, "Don't worry; I know how hard it is for you not to piss on the seat!" I stated and heard Dom start to laugh. "I'd watch what you say to her! Believe me, she's not one to be fucking with!" I heard Dom joke before I walked in the bathroom.

I walked over to the sink and stared in the mirror. All I could think about was how weird it was to be here without Mia. I splashed a little water on my face, trying to wash back the tears. As I grabbed a hand towel out of the cabinet, I quietly opened the door and slowly made my way down the hall to Mia's room.

I walked in and sat on the edge of the bed, picking up the teddy bear she cherished so much. I must have been completely dazed because I never heard Dom walk into the room, "Ya know I gave her that bear on her 18th birthday. She always had a thing for stuffed animals." He said, startling me as he knelt down in front of me.

"Yeah, I know. She told me all about it. You went all day long making her believe you forgot about her birthday and then surprised her with a small cake and this bear when she came home. She said it was her favorite because the greatest guy in the world gave it to her." I said as a single tear escaped my eye.

I tightly closed my eyes then felt Dom's hand brush the tear off my face, "Taylor, it's not your fault."

"Dom, I was supposed to be there. I told her I would meet her at your store at 9:00, to go to the race but I fell asleep and showed up almost an hour late. If I had been there…." Dom cut me off, "If you had been there, he'd have you both and no one would've found me and Brian. Look Baby, I don't blame you for this and I know Mia doesn't either! You can ask her when we bring her home tomorrow!" He stated as he wrapped me in his arms.

I wanted so much to believe that he could make everything all right again but I couldn't seem to shake the doubt. I looked up at him and tried to stop the tears, "Dom, I have more faith in you and my brother than you'll ever know. It's just… I know Tran! I've worked so hard for so long to take him down and I've seen so many good people lose their lives because of that man. He's ruthless and doesn't care who he hurts as long as he gets what he wants." I paused to wipe away more tears, "I just…. I can't lose her Dom! I know she's your sister and you love her so much you'll do anything it takes to get her back. I just can't help but wonder…"

"Stop! Don't say it! In fact, don't even think it! Mia is going to come home to us and things will be the way they used to be. I promise you Taylor and I don't break promises!" Dom said as he held me tightly in his arms and for the first time I actually believe him!