A/N: Oops, made and mistake and did not post the most up to date version of this story. I fixed a few things for those of you who read it within the first five hours. Review!

"Hmm, can you explain this piece to me?" Claude asked Letty as he came up behind her. She had been in his studio for almost two hours completely enthralled in her work.

"Probably not", she shrugged as she gave her self-portrait its final touches.

"Well there's very little color. You've intentionally painted the canvas all black." He commented observantly.

"It's always been my favorite color."

"Then you must have had a dark ora about you even from a young age. Not many gravitate to this color without being angry or hurt." Letty turned around to finally face him a little off put by his comment.

"I've admittedly had my fair share of both."

"This is you in the painting, correct?" He pointed at the cringing white silhouette she had carefully drawn out.

"You could say that." Letty answered.

"I find it interesting how you did not show your face. Your back is turned and you seem to be captured in a moment in time."

"I just drew what I felt. The image itself probably does not make much sense."

"You're hair is mangled and it seems like you are looking up. Are you falling into the abyss? What's pushing you over?"

"I'm drowning. The dark areas are water. There's no source that pushed me. I was just there." Letty corrected. "It's kind of a recurring nightmare I keep having. I don't know why."

"Ahh so the white above are the bubbles as you sink reflected from the night sky above?"

"Mhm"

"Wow magnificent! I love how you've layered the paint so that it is almost three-dimensional. The texture adds to the eeriness of this image. You're a true expressionist." The British man complimented.

"Thank you, but I would not go that far."

"Why are you drowning, if you don't mind me asking?" Claude continued to pry.

"Overwhelmed I guess."

"Stress?"

"You could say that."

"Job?"

"Oddly no, I have a very flexible career."

"Interesting, what do you do?"

"I race cars professionally."

"Wait a minute. I've seen your face before, on billboards and such."

"Probably, I've been in the business for a long time."

"Wow I have a celebrity in my studio! What made you choose this place?"

"My sister-in-law suggested it'd be good for me since I haven't been myself for some time."

"Ahh so you're married?" Letty waved her jewel-encrusted wedding band at her instructor. "Forgive me. I didn't notice because my attention was on your work."

"No worries, I took it off as I was painting. I didn't want to wreck it."

"It's beautiful."

"I don't often wear both bands because people just ogle at them. My husband sort of out did himself." She smirked instinctively fidgeting with her ring.

"You don't like the attention? I find most women crave it."

"Only my husband's", she answered. "I'm not like most women."

"I could see that from the moment you stepped into my class." Claude said with a smile that she reluctantly returned. "So only he's allowed to ogle at you?"

"Usually, but he doesn't see me this way anymore."

"What do you mean?" Claude asked furrowing his eyebrows.

"He's angry, and I have a lot to do with it. I've disappointed him."

"How so?"

"I can't get into it. I barely know you."

"Part of my job is to listen. I assure you that what is shared with me will stay between us."

"This isn't a doctor's office, so I can't just assume that to be true. My mother taught me well. I don't trust strangers."

"We can make it one. You came to one of my community sessions, but this is actually a licensed facility."

"What?"

"I'm a clinician."

"You're a shrink?" Letty gasped.

"I don't really care for the term, but yes."

"Fucking Mia", Letty mumbled under her breath.

"What?"

"Nothing, I have to go. Feel free to keep the painting. I don't want it." Letty informed him suddenly feeling the urge to escape the conversation.

"Wait", Claude said placing a light grip on her arm. Letty stared down at his hand and contemplated if it was worth hitting him or not. "You clearly returned because they're was something you liked. Don't leave because you don't want to be psycho analyzed. I'd only do that if I were to take you on as a patient, which I would only do per your request."

"I don't need anyone in my head. I need to get out of it."

"Then maybe all you need is a paintbrush to get out of it and not a person. This place can be whatever you want it to be. If you ever want to talk, the offer will be on the table, but if you just want to sit here in silence and paint because it is what is bringing you peace then by all means do that as well."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"I hope you do because you have a real talent. Both times you have come in here you seem frazzled and on edge, lost even. However, when I see you create it seems you are at ease and centered, almost as if you've found your place."

"You have a lot to say for someone who has only met me twice."

"I am good at reading people. I'm here to help. You will always be welcome here." Claude said.

"So we don't have to talk? Ever?"

"Nope, you decide how much you want to relay to me. It can be nothing, or could be everything. I'll always advise you as best as I can, and I think you should analyze your own work. There's a lot going on which means there's a lot going on with you."

"Okay"

"Okay?"

"I'll let you know what I decide." Letty told him.

"I'll see you soon."

"You don't know that."

"Call it a hunch." Claude said. She was about to open her mouth to dispute him but her phone rang before she could get the words out.

"Excuse me, it's my son." She said as she looked down at the screen. "Hello?"

"Mami I'm playing home, you coming?" Alexus asked her.

"I don't know if I can do that Lex."

"Mami if you don't, I'll lose." The young man pleaded.

"Baby you're one of the best tight ends in the league. You'll be just fine."

"No I won't. It's bad luck if you guys aren't there. Come on please! You haven't been to a game since November. It'd really mean a lot to me. We're already in the playoffs."

"I don't know Lex. Why don't you ask your father?"

"I already did. The only one who isn't coming is you. I really want to make it to the Super Bowl this year. We're so close!"

"And you think me being there will be the deciding factor?"

"Yes, what are you doing that you can't go?"

"Um...plenty", Letty lied.

"Like what?"

"I have a couple business ventures coming up, and need to make sure everything is ready for when they're presented to the board."

"Mami you just don't want to go. Fine, I see how things are now." He attempted to guilt her.

"Baby don't say it like that. You know I want to be there for you."

"It's only a two hour trip, and I know you can make it in much less."

"Lex…"

"I guess I can only pray I don't have some freak accident on the field. Gates is out for the whole season."

"Don't talk like that." She insisted.

"I'm sure that wouldn't happen if you were there though."

"Alright! I'll go." Letty gave in, Alexus had always been able to manipulate her. He had a knack for it.

"Really?" He asked cheerfully.

"Yes", she answered clearing her throat.

"Great!" He said before hanging up. She wanted to detail her conditions, but he was already gone.

"But…Hello? Hello?" Letty took a deep breath. A loud stadium full of screaming fans was the last place she wanted to be.

"You seem anxious." Claude said causing her head to jerk up. She had forgotten he was there.

"I'm fine." She dismissed.

"Are you really?"

"My son plays for the San Diego Chargers, and he really wants me to go to his next game. I want to support him, but I just don't do well in large crowds anymore."

"You're not old enough to have a son that old. I would have guest it we were the same age."

"I had him young."

"Which one is he?"

"Toretto", she answered with a fond smile. "Number 17"

"That's incredible. He's a great player, but he never allows himself to get drafted to a better team."

"He's loyal, and he wants to stay close to home. He's a big mama's boy. He chose his number because of me."

"Really? How interesting. What does the number represent?"

"The age he entered into my life", Letty smiled. "He introduced me to the greatest love I'll ever know."

"17 really? And you're so successful? You must have really persevered through a lot. That couldn't have been easy."

"My husband had a lot to do with it. I owe him the world."

"But you mentioned a rift?" Letty's smile soon fell.

"It's one of the reasons I don't want to go." She confessed.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't make him happy anymore." She told him sadly.

"Maybe you've grown apart. It's not uncommon." Claude suggested.

"Maybe…I have to go." She rushed off back to her home in hopes of getting there before the kids arrived from school. She was in disbelief that she had shared all that personal information with a complete stranger.

"Where were you?" Jensen asked her at the door. He seemed to be on his way out.

"Um…I just went downtown to get a few things." His mother answered.

"No luck then?" He asked noticing her empty hands.

"No, unfortunately not."

"Well it's nice to see you out of the house." He said kissing her cheek. "Did Lex call you?"

"Yes he did."

"Are you coming with us?"

"I am", she told him taking a deep breath. Jensen grinned from ear to ear.

"Fantastic! Me and Mazda were talking, and we think that we should make a night of it."

"You mean stay over? In San Diego?"

"Yeah we can check-in at a hotel."

"Mazda and Axel have school on Monday."

"It's Martin Luther King Day. No one has school."

"Right", Letty answered pensively.

"We could go to dinner and sight see. I'm sure the kid would love it."

"I'd run it by your father first to make sure he doesn't have any plans."

"I'm sure he'll be fine with it. I'll book the rooms tonight."

"Eh…"

"Gotta run, bye!" Letty stared at the door for what seemed to be an eternity. She began to pace in front of it, and anxiety over took her. She was unsure if she could face reporters asking questions about her whereabouts in recent weeks, but above all else she feared speculation that her marriage was on the rocks because it was. Letty did not know how to pretend.

When Sunday rolled around they all packed into a range rover and made their way to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. The ride was relatively quiet. Jensen and Mazda did not argue as they normally did, and were uneased as to how little their parents talked. Dom had kept his distance from Letty all that week. They wouldn't even look at each other for days, let alone speak. He would go from the pit, to his garage, to what had now become his room. Unbeknown to anyone, she found herself going to the studio and creating new pieces of art work every other day or so. Letty had improved on interacting with her kids, but still struggled to be there for them when her mood would fall. Claude began teaching her how to meditate, and breath out her stress.

When they arrived they were given the complete VIP treatment per the Alexus' request. The entire brood was escorted to their field-view seats, where they were met by Cecilia who wore Alexus' Jersey and Charger colors. They had not seen her since the funeral because she was currently studying sport's law at Cornel University in New York.

"Look at you!" Dom greeted her with a hug. "My son has his own personal mascot."

"Nice to see you too uncle Dom."

"He flew you all the way out here?" Letty asked.

"Did I really have a choice? Everything is an ultimatum with him." Cecilia said hugging her. "Hey aunt Letty. How are you?"

"Pretty good"

"Good to hear. You look so much better." Cecilia said giving her a second hug.

"Thank you." They settled into their seats. Dom and Letty attempted to put Axel in between them to keep up appearances, but Jensen pulled him into his lap so that his parents would be forced to sit together. Dom distracted himself by talking with Cici while Letty ordered a drink to ease her nerves.

"It's packed tonight isn't it?" Letty said as she stared up at the fans that surrounded them.

"It's a big game. The Jets are not an easy team to beat." Cecilia told her.

"Don't I know it." Letty said sipping on her gin and tonic.

"There he is!" Mazda said standing up to wave with both her arms in hopes of getting his attention. Alexus gave her the ASL sign for I love you and they all returned it.

"He's got this." Jensen said. After the national Anthem was sung, and the game began the Chargers took several hits from the Jets. The opposing team had a twenty point lead by half-time.

"They keep fumbling the ball!" Dom yelled out onto the field.

"Their offense is a mess!" Letty called out. "17! 17!" Alexus looked up as they were making their way back on to the field. "Get your head out of your ass, and start running yards!"

"Get free! Get free!" Dom yelled at his son. "They're all over you!" By the fourth quarter the chargers were able to gain nineteen points, but needed a touchdown if they had any chance of winning.

"Rivers throws the ball wide. It's over the top and Toretto is open! He grabs at it at the forty!" The announcer yelled into his mike.

"Run!" Cecilia screamed.

"He's at the 30!" Jenson chanted. "The 20!"

"They're not going to catch him!" Mazda said jumping up and down.

"Touchdown!" Letty screeched as she joined her daughter in a frantic hug. She turned around and hugged her husband tightly. It caught Dom off guard, but it overjoyed him. "He did it!" She said into his chest.

"We have one hell of kid." He said holding her close. Mazda and Jensen caught each other's eye and smirked. They sat down for the kick. There were only three minutes left in the game, and Alexus was able to score yet another touch down.

"Yeah!" Jenson and Dom roared high-fiving each other.

"We're going to the Division round! We're going to make it!" Cecilia shook with joy before picking up Axel and squeezing the small boy. "Ahh! This is the year!" Dom was so ecstatic he grabbed Letty's face and kissed her hard, and for the first time in over two months she returned it. Mazda whistled at her parents, while Jensen made a disgusted face.

"I forgot how gross this was."

"Don't ruin it." Mazda elbowed him.

"Ow" Jensen yelped, as his parents ended their kiss. They stared at each other momentarily, but then Letty quickly looked elsewhere.

"Mami Alexus won!" Their youngest pulled at her shirt as he stood on Cecilia's chair.

"I saw sweetie!" She said hugging the small child.

"Did you see Papi?"

"Of course I did!" Dom said scooping him up in one sweep.

They all went out to celebrate that night. Alexus brought the game ball in tow. However, everywhere they went they were swarmed with dedicated fans, and paparazzi. While they stood waiting to be escorted to their hotel, Alexus signed autographs and reporters began to test boundaries.

"How was dinner?"

"How does it feel to stay in the playoff's?"

"Alexus how come you're not with the rest of the team at Korma Lounge?"

"Ortiz do you have any responses to the rumors concerning your mental health?" They were being heckled from every direction. The flashes were so bright it became hard to walk. Axel hid his face in his father's neck. "Is it true that you went off the deep end?"

"That's my mother you're talking to." Alexus whipped around, but his bodyguard got in the way. "Show some fucking respect."

"Babe don't." Cecilia warned pulling his arm back. "That's just what they want."

"No, he needs to apologize!"

"I don't have to apologize. This is my job." The young reporter responded.

"It's not worth it. They'll just sell more the angrier you get." Mazda said pulling on Alexus' other arm.

"Mazda are you going to continue modeling for Burberry for their spring collection?"

"Just leave us alone." She growled at the reporter.

"You look great! Who are you wearing?"

"JCPenny" Mazda answered snarkily.

"Do you have any comments on the bikini photos that just surfaced a few days ago?"

"What are you talking about? I was at the beach. Did you expect a MuMu?"

"Listen man I don't appreciate you talking to my little sister like that." Jensen told the man menacingly. His violent outbursts almost matched his father's. "She's just a kid." All three men looked like snarling bulls waiting to pounce.

Letty simultaneously grabbed both her son's by the face and simply said, "No, do you hear me? I said no. Walk away." She grabbed her husband's hand to steady herself. She had several drinks that night, and did want a good evening to turn sour.

"Let's go!" Dom growled with Axel still in his arms.

"You're going to scare him." Letty told him while she caressed the young boys back as he clung to his father. "You don't want that do you?" Dom glanced at her briefly, but soon agreed.

"If you follow us, we're going to have a problem, a big problem!" He continued to threaten the papratzo as they all began to walk to their cars that had just pulled up. Letty tugged her husband away before he could get more worked up. They made it up to the hotel where Jensen checked them in. He had strategically booked a large suite for his parents so that they could all be in neighboring rooms. Mazda was forced to turn in early and look after Axel, while her brothers snuck out through a private exit to continue their night.

"What a day, huh?" Letty sighed as she threw herself on the bed. She was still a little loose from all the drinks she had had that night. "God this bed is so comfortable!" She said as she rolled around on the covers. Meanwhile, Dom attempted to join the love seats in the suit together so that he can have a semi-comfortable place to sleep.

"What are you doing?" She asked him as she sat up.

"Making my bed", he answered her. "I'll need to borrow the thin sheets. You're cool with that, right?"

"But we fit", she argued. "It's a king sized bed."

"Are you still drunk?" Dom asked his wife.

"No", she lied.

"Say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious without messing it up or giggling." He told her as he sat next to her.

"That's not necessary." She attempted to dismiss while lightly pushing his shoulder.

"I'll take that as your way of you confirming that you are."

"No wait", she said in attempts to prove she was not inebriated. Dom lifted an eyebrow as he turned to face her.

"Supercalifragilisticexpiali…shit…wait…I can do it."

"It doesn't matter." He said placing small kiss on her cheek.

"Yes it does." She said grabbing the hem of his shirt. "You're judging me. I don't like it when you judge me."

"No, I'm not. I promise."

"It matters…what you think of me, I mean." Letty said letting go. "Sorry I can't speak today."

"It's nice to hear speak at all. I'm going to stay on the couch tonight. I think it's for the best." She grabbed his face and kissed him deeply, hungry for a second, third, and fourth kiss. She pulled him to her, undid his collar, and unbuttoned the rest of his shirt. She moaned into his mouth softly as he lay over her. His hands wandered over her clothes as he began to kiss her neck. She reveled in his touch. Nonetheless, something still felt wrong. He couldn't bring himself to have sex with his wife with all the problems they had been having. Dom abruptly ended it moments later. He got up and turned his back to her.

"No, no, no…" She moaned out. "Where are you going? Why are you stopping?"

"Shit", he muttered kicking a small chair over. Letty gathered herself and ran her hands through the hair.

"I know you're angry with me." Letty said while letting out a deep breath.

"I wouldn't call it anger." He told her working himself down.

"You can't stand to look at me."

"Because every time I do look at you you're the one rejecting me. You're hiding from me."

"You left me." She contested "I don't sleep because of you."

"How did I leave you? You asked for space. I'm giving it to you."

"What if I said I didn't want space anymore?"

"I wouldn't trust it because it must be the gin talking." He told her. "You need to understand that what you're doing is not fair. You're playing with me like I'm some toy. I don't want false hope. What are we going to do? Make love so that you can run away tomorrow? How am I supposed to know it's real?" He waited for her to answer, but she did not. "I don't know how much of this back and forth I can take." Letty looked away. "Can you promise me you won't wake up tomorrow and change your mind? Can you?"

"I don't know."

"Well there's our answer."

"Dominic I'm really trying. I'm trying to get better."

"And every time I try to support you, you just push me away. Why?"

"I don't mean to. Sometimes I don't know why I say the things I say."

"You and I both."

"What do you want from me?"

"I want you to get help. I want you to be able to do what we just did without being drunk."

"That's not what it is Dom." She told him hugging him from behind.

"We had a really good day today. Why don't we just got to bed? I don't want to wake up heart broken tomorrow because you can't show me you love me."

"I do love you. I do." she pleaded with him, grabbing his face with both hands and staring into his eyes.

"I don't trust that anymore. Love didn't stop you from hurting me."