Tej's Garage, sometime later that night.

"Is that so?" said Alex.

Alex and Tej were standing by his car in the middle of the floor. They were, at the time, the only people on the garage floor as it was already past quitting time. Suki had gone home and Jimmy has gone to bed after a grueling day of practice. Tej took this opportunity to get Alex on the side and discuss the situation about Bull.

"If anything," he continued. "I'm not all that surprised. I figured he'd by the type of guy who wouldn't take something like losing lying down. You say he's driving a Mustang now?"

"Yeah, man," replied Tej. "And it's nothing like that Supra he raced you with last time. From what I heard, this thing's a real rocket on the street."

"And he's been racing?"

"He's been beating some dudes left and right for the past week."

"And he's gunnin' for me now, huh?"

"Yup."

Alex looked thoughtful. "Tsk. Well it had to happen sooner or later. I suppose he'll probably challenge me within the next few days to one last showdown."

"And what're you gonna do?

"I'll take him up on his challenge, of course."

"That's it?"

"What else is there."

Call him naïve but Tej was expecting a little more than that. He was sort of expecting Alex to say something that would indicate that he'll come up with a plan or already have one. He didn't expect Alex to just say that when the challenge comes that he'll just take with no questions.

"There's gotta be more to it than that, brah."

"Well, I've never been the kinda guy to plan ahead. I always play it by ear, you know what I'm sayin'. Right now, unless I know the exact specs of Bull's car and the exact road he'll challenge me on, I can't make any guarantees. Also that's not what's really worrying me right now."

"What is then?"

Alex took a moment of silence to look around the shop as if trying to make sure that they were alone. He gave the whole floor a once over just to make sure nobody else was there. Once satisfied that they were alone, Alex turned back to Tej.

"Does Jimmy know anything about this?"

Tej was caught off-guard by the question. But pretty soon he caught the drift. Alex was right. This was a point of concern.

"No, man," answered Tej. "I only found out from Slap and OJ a while ago. I haven't told anybody else about this yet."

"I don't think we should let Jimmy know about this yet. It's most likely he bears a bit of a grudge because of what happened during his first run in with Bull. If he caught wind of this then he might just do something dumb like challenging the guy himself."

"It definitely sounds like something Jimmy might do."

"Not just might. He probably will do it the first opportunity he gets."

"What makes you say that, man?"

Alex didn't answer right away. He looked up into the air and seemed to space out for a moment or two. When he turned back to Tej he had a nostalgic look on his face.

"Let's just say, he reminds me of what I was like a few years back."

"Well, whatever the case, he's not ready. Not yet. At the level he's on now, Bull will still have the upper hand. We can't let him make that challenge."

"That would be the best thing to do."

"Now back to you, man. Are you really just gonna wait around?"

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

"If I'm the one who will challenge them, that might put me in an uncomfortable position. If I challenge him they'll try and make it look like that I pick on guys who I've already beaten. No. I have to wait for him to come to me and he'll do it soon enough simply because as his rep is growing so will everyone's expectation of him to challenge me."

"But you gotta be at least be prepared for his skills. He may have been a push over last time but you and I both know that he's got something to show behind the wheel."

"I know he's good. Good enough to be a problem. And he probably took a lot of time actually preparing that new car of his just for little ol' me."

"Look, I'll get some of my guys to scope him out. Word is he's gonna have a big race with a couple of hotshots in Brickell tomorrow night. We could probably get some good lowdown on him from that."

"Never knew you were worried about me, man."

"Well what can I say…You make me a lot of money."

Alex chuckled that last remark off. "Thanks, man. That makes me feel real special."

Alex turned to his car and opened the driver side door. "Well, I'm gonna crash for the night. You give me a call when something's up, 'kay?"

"Got it brah."

Alex started up his car and drove off. As soon as Alex's engine was out of hearing range, Tej went on to close the shop for the night. He too went ahead and headed off to bed, glad that the day was over. His residence was close enough to the garage that it only needed a few minutes' walk. In the darkness of the garage, all was quiet and motionless.

A minute later, after Tej left, something did move.

Jimmy came out of his hiding place inside from behind a stack of tires. He stood there with a bit of a pondering look on his face. He was deeply considering what he just heard.

What happened was Jimmy left the garage right at the same time Suki did but unlike Suki who drove home Jimmy could only park his car in Tej's garage. Alex stayed behind of course since Tej said he wanted to ask him about some stuff. Two minutes walking down the path to his place he noticed that he had accidentally left his keys in the car. He quickly turned around walked back to the garage.

However, the moment he reached the door he heard His name being mentioned for the first time during Tej and Alex's conversation. He also Heard Bull's name, that whole thing about challenging Alex to a rematch, and everything after that.

"Brickell, huh?" he said to himself quietly.

He made a mental not of the name of the place. He knew it well. Brickell is a financial district with a few wide open road spaces. He has watched races there before. That would be a fine place to get his payback. He played back in his head the conversation he heard. As he expected Tej and Alex still think he can't take on this challenged. Tomorrow night he will prove them wrong.

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Morning the next day.

On a small parking lot uptown, Suki's tricked out Honda S2000 was once again busy burning rubber like nobody's business. Her girls, as usual, were on hand to provide any assistance she needed. Suki had just installed brand new adjustable shocks from TEIN, similar to what Alex was using on his car, and wanted to test them out.

As she expected, at first the shocks were a little too hard and too high for her taste. She softened them up and lowered the ride height by an inch or so. Now the car handled much better.

Handling was her priority. The S2000, even in stock form, is one of the best handling cars in the world due to its perfect 50/50 weight distribution. The biggest problem with the S2000 in stock form was that the engine was weak in low revs which gave it slight below average acceleration for a sports car. Tuning helped fix that.

Suki increased the power and acceleration through some engine tuning and weight-shaving on her car. She got a full performance package from Mugen which tuned up the intercooler, the headers, the pistons, the exhaust manifold and several other internal parts of the engine which increased response significantly. At some point however, she installed a supercharger from HKS and a customized engine management system from Nuespeed which increased engine power and response dramatically. The supercharger pushed the power to just past 300 hp, modest for a high-performance tuner car but more than enough for the S2000 and Suki's driving style.

In addition to the new shocks, The S2000 also had high-performance brakes from Brembo and TOYO tires designed for high grip. After that, all that was left was the looks. She found a nice organic looking body kit from Veilside which not only made the car look cooler but also improved the ground effects. The GT wing spoiler was added for more stability.

Then there was all that pink. Sometimes Suki herself wonder why all the pink. She is a girl but even she thinks that she is not that much of a girl. The pink paint job was bad enough but the pink custom interior, which included specially made SPARCO racing seats covered in pink fur, was pushing it a little.

Nevertheless the S2000 has gained an identity of its own and everybody in the racing scene recognized it. With that car Suki had built a respectable reputation which grew more as she partnered with Tej. Now all that was left was to reach her best condition.

During her trial runs on the parking lot, she did several prowerslides and sharp turns just to see the car's threshold in handling. When the new shocks were a bit hard, she tended to powerslide a lot due to the amount of oversteer accompanied by the stiff suspension and the car handled like a go-cart. She gradually softened the suspension which increased the grip a bit more. She was nearly there, at that perfect setting.

She stopped in the middle of the lot, white smoke trailing close behind. He friends moved in with needed help.

"One last adjustment and she'll be perfect," said Suki as she stepped out of the car. "And maybe later we'll change the tires. They're pretty worn out."

Suki's group of friends were quick to roll out a jack and lift the car up while Suki fetched some tools. The process of adjusting the shocks took all of fifteen minutes. Suki and her friends enjoyed some light conversation.

"So, how's this Alex guy you've been hanging around with?" asked one of Suki's friends.

"Well…What do you want to know?"

"Is he really that good a driver as everyone is saying?"

"Well, from what I've seen, he's definitely got mad skills."

"Really? There's been word going around that his first big win against that guy from New York was just a fluke."

"It was no fluke. Trust me. I was in the passenger seat."

"He let you ride with him on the race?"

"Yeah. Just as well, I wanted to see what he can do up close. And he can do a lot. It's pretty obvious he's got plenty of practice behind the wheel. I think I remember him mentioning that he's been racing for a few years already before moving here to Miami."

By now, Suki had finished with the front wheel adjustments and was now moving to the back wheels.

"You know, Suki," said her other friend. "You seem to be taking an interest to this guy, Alex."

Suki stopped working for a moment. "What do you mean?"

"I'm saying he seems to be all that you're talking about for the last few days."

Another one of Suki's friends giggle a bit. "Yeah. And it's noticeable that you have nothing but good things to say about the guy."

Yet another of her friends started to giggle as well. "And you may say that you've just gotten along with him but this is the fastest you've 'gotten along' with a guy since…well, ever."

Suki was underneath the car at the time so she was kind of thankful that her friends who were standing outside the car couldn't see her slight blush. She shook it off and rolled herself out from under the car with the straightest face she could manage.

"But we really do just get along really well and that's it!" retorted Suki. "Besides, this is all because of Tej anyway."

"What does he got to do with you and Alex?"

"He's got this big idea about building a team."

"What kind of team?"

"An unbeatable street racing team…or at least that what he said."

"An unbeatable street racing team? Kinda sound way out there, you know, Suki?"

"I thought so too at first and so did Alex. Tej's quite serious about it though. He wants to build a small team of elite racers who will crush the competition completely. He's had this idea for a while now and he already had his picks. He wants me and Alex on the team and he's also talking to Rome about it as well. He also believes Jimmy would be a good addition once he picks up on Alex's training."

"Oh ok. So he's putting you and those guys into a team that nobody can beat."

"That's the idea."

"Something like that might attract bad press."

"He actually wants that. Both he and Alex think that this kind of team will definitely attract attention and gather a lot of challenges. That means more cash as far as they're concerned."

"I guess that would be how it works. Nice that Tej thought you'd be a great part of some unbeatable team. Well you have been pretty unbeatable ever since Bullit left town. You've definitely gotten better. I mean, not even OJ can touch you now."

"I wann ask you though, Suki," said another friend. "Say this team does get built like you say, what then? You guys will just hang around here looking all smug?"

"Well, Miami isn't the only pace with an underground racing scene you know. Suffice it to say…Tej has ambitions for us."

"And you're really going along with this?"

Suki shrugged her shoulders. "Why not? Sounds like fun actually."

By then Suki had finished up adjusting the wheels. She had packed away her tools and was headed back to her car.

"If this team of yours succeeds," said one of her friends again. "You're gonna be on top of the street racing world, basically."

"That's what Tej thinks but it'll be a while before that happens," replied Suki.

"Well it's good he picked you. And I guess that Alex guy was a pretty good choice too. He really does have mad skills."

"Yeah that's true."

"Plus he's got a cute butt, right?"

"Yeah that's true too…"

There was a short period of silence where all of Suki's friends were trying to hold back giggles. It took Suki about the same time as it takes for her car to go from 0 to 60 to recall exactly what the last thing she said was. And when that happened, she blushed noticeably.

"Hey!!"

Suki's friends just laughed it off and headed back to their own cars leaving Suki fuming in the middle of the lot. She eventually huffed it up and got in her own car to drive off.

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Later that night.

Brickell, a neighborhood in downtown Miami, was once a small almost unnoticeable spot of residential land but that land soon grew into a buzzing financial district filled with high-rise buildings that dominate the Miami skyline. After the construction boom of recent years, Brickell has earned itself the nick name "Manhattan of the south," due to the many skyscrapers filled with high-profile companies but those companies are mostly dominated by banks, both government and private.

It was now past the curfew of most people and the banks of Brickell have shut their doors for the day. The financial district was now buzzing with city night life. The scattered clubs across the district were a buzz of activity as young and old alike wash away the day-time grime with loud music and alcohol.

A fairly large parking garage that was part of one of the many high-rise buildings in the district was taken over by the street racing scene. In the day this garage would house the multitude of employees' cars that come to work in this building. Now a new crowd was occupying it. The first level was almost fully occupied by tuner cars and people while the second, third, forth, and fifth levels were completely empty. Those were being saved for something special.

On the first level the floor was filled with flashing cars and shaking bodies. Club music echoed across the concrete of the structure. As usual there were more people busy showing off their cars rather than doing any racing.

The beats of the music was only interrupted when the sound of loud engine revs echoed throughout the floor. One sound was the unmistakable growl of a high-powered V8 engine. Everyone tuned towards the ramp leading to the second level in anticipation for something as the engine noises grew louder.

Within seconds, a gun-metal gray Ford Mustang GT came sliding around and driving down the ramp at high speed. The crowd cheered at the car's arrival as it raced down a short stretch on the lot and came to a stop in the middle of the floor. Seconds later it was followed by a Lancer Evo 7 with a predominantly black paint job with bright red stripes and tear graphics running across the side and the hood.

The Evo 7 stopped just behind the Mustang GT at which point the driver of the Mustang, Bull, stepped out with a smug look on his face. The crowd and his own posse started gathering around him and applauding him. Bull raised his fist victoriously.

By then the Evo driver stepped out of his car and wore a very frustrated look on his face. Bull saw him and slowly walked towards him, keeping his smug look. He came face to face with the Evo driver and reach a plam out as if waiting to be given something.

"Pay up," said Bull.

The Evo driver was hesitant at first but soon reluctantly fished a wad of cash, 3 grand worth, out of his pocket. Bull didn't wait for him to hand it over and quickly grabbed the wad of cash and pocketed it himself. He then gave the Evo driver a rather hard shove as if telling him to get out of his face. He then walked back to his car and his posse. One of his posse, the man in the leather jacket, came up to Bull.

"That was a great take huh, boss?"

"Shut up!" replied Bull.

The man seemed taken aback. "But boss--"

"I said can it! You call this a great take? That race in the docks was a great take! This is chump change compared to that!"

"Aw c'mon boss. It wasn't our fault. That pizza guy came out of nowhere."

"Whatever. Why hasn't that guy challenged me yet? Haven't you been spreading the word?"

"We have, boss. You're getting to be pretty popular with all this hotshots you've been beating recently. But that Kid seems to be laying low and only taking on challenges that Tej guy is giving him."

"Has he challenged anyone after he beat me?"

"No. He doesn't challenge anyone. Boss I think he's waiting for you to challenge him."

Bull was quiet for a moment. "Is that so?"

"Well, he has been kinda avoiding you. But I don't think he'll back down from a challenge if you give him one. And I think it's best if we do issue the challenge first."

"Why do you think that?"

"If we do then we'll be in the position of laying down the stakes. Stakes that we can afford. But that guy will probably demand something big from the loser if he issued the challenge. He'll probably try something like the last time you raced against him. At least if we challenge him, we won't lose much in case we--"

Bull's hand suddenly went to the guy's collar and he gripped hard. "Are you implying that I'll lose to that guy again?"

The man in leather was starting to choke. "No…no, boss I…never said--"

"I spent all this time preparing for a rematch. No matter who issues the challenge first I will wipe the asphalt with his sorry ass!"

Bull then threw him to the floor and the man in leather landed hard on his butt.

"Let him bring whatever stakes he wants to the table," continued Bull. "I'll come out on top in the end. I won't let him get away with humiliating me!"

Just then another one of Bull's posse walked up to him from behind and whispered into his ear.

"Uh, Boss, there's someone here to see you."

"Who is it now?"

The guy pointed in a direction. Bull looked in that direction. There he saw Jimmy standing there in front of his tuned Golf. Jimmy was wearing a rather antagonistic look on his face. Bull was curious at first before he realized what this kid was there for. When he did, he slowly grinned.

Jimmy walked up to Bull. "Hey hotshot!" he exclaimed. "You and I got some unfinished business."

Bull only grinned wider. Fate, as it seemed, was smiling on him that night.

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Author's note: Nothing much to say here. Expect some big racing next Chapter as Jimmy gets himself into some pretty hot water. Until then pls. R&R.