Chapter 4

Hey guys. I bet it's really somber right now...it's taken its toll on every Paul Walker fan. I was almost comatose after I heard. But as soon as I got out of my funk, I started writing this next bit as soon as possible- grammar be damned.

So with this in mind, I tell you right now : this story isn't just for fun anymore. This chapter- and story is now dedicated to the memory of Paul Walker.

Ride or die, remember?

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.


There had once been an auction in Japan.

Kumiko had been really exited that day- several Nissan Skylines had been shown in the pamphlets and although she had the money to buy only one; none had caught her eye yet.

Only when she was about to stomp on the pamphlet and call it quits did she see it. The most beautiful and...breathtaking car of every single other vehicle within a twenty mile radius was just several feet away from her.

As she tightened her scarf around her and strode purposely, she became aware of the beautiful body paint- green with silver and gold lines that curved over the glossy vehicle with grace.

And the tires and the rims...everything was just so perfect! She could just imagine the sexy motor it had. She was salivating from just thinking about it.

Then the auctioning started.

At first, she was hanging back- making sure that everyone placed high bets so that when the bidders finally hit rock bottom, she would strike and get her car. And it worked; her strategy worked until the last round.

Apparently she wasn't the only smart one- among a bunch of rich assholes there really wasn't big competition- and that person had decided to wait until the end like herself.

"95,000!"

She felt her eyes widen. The car hadn't been worth that much- even to the rich aristocrats- and here a man was betting on it like it was gold. Ok...maybe to her, it had been worth more than gold.

But this was her car. Her eyes narrowed determinedly, and he hand brushed aside a stray hair that was tickling her nose. 'My car.'

Five minutes later and...she had her ass handed to her. She had lost royally against a blonde, blue-eyed asshole. And that was unacceptable!

However during that moment, she had been unwilling to admit the fact that she had been seconds away from crying. Here she was, trying to get her first car with her own hard earned money, and there was some jerk that took away that chance!

'That little teme!' She screamed inwardly.

She didn't have a chance to say anything to the man. He was gone and so where the keys to that precious car. So she had shrugged frustratedly and shoved her hands into her pockets touching the pack of money- hiding far more emotion than what she was willing to show in public.

Then in a moment of realization- the big pack of money felt decidedly thinner- she drew out the money. A slip of paper flutter to the ground as she drew her hand out and so she bent to pick it up.

'Check the other pocket.'

So she did. And when her hands touched a bit of cold plastic and metal she stilled. She felt another paper stuck to it. A deep draw of breath and gathered courage later and the key in her hand wasn't enough to keep the gasp in.

In her hand was the key to that Skyline she had almost cried after. And the white square of paper clung to it.

'Thank you for the money and the laugh- enjoy the car.' B.

She had understood instantly. The jerk had spent his own money in the car and then given it to her- with a price: her own money. And he had laughed at her misfortune.

Two months later and they met at a race. He in a silver Audi and her in that same Skyline. When she had challenged him and lost, he had invited her with him.

And that man had been Brian. And he saved her from something that could have killed her.


"They're called flip cars. We're gonna need them for the job today. Well, Owen already had them but they underwent dramatic " It was the first comment Brian made as he got out of the car.

And that drew her short- "What job?"

He looked at her weirdly then smiled, "Don't you know?"

"What?"

"Don't tell me Vegh didn't explain it to you?" He snorted, "No actually, don't answer that." Sighing he motioned to her, walking to a random spot near the table where they always planned their jobs.

The table had several papers on it just like always, but most prominent, were the files that were in the center. Brian pointed to one of them.

"That is Hobbs. Lucas "Luke" Hobbs is a highly skilled bounty hunter and the lead DSS federal agent whose job is to hunt...well- us. Owen has already encountered him different times and has had a hard time escaping him."

Then he pointed to another file, "Those are some of the Interpool dudes. Owen believes some of them might work for Hobbs so he plans to get rid of them."

She nodded to point out at she understood, however there was one thing...

"If Owen has everything under control then why does he need us?"

Brian smiled grimly, "That's where it gets tough. According to him, Hobbs is able to acquire hired help that comes near destroying some operations that Owen has a part in sometimes. Owen believes that this time, Hobbs has something up his sleeve."

"How can he tell that?"

Brian looked up from his through inspection of the files, "Because Hobbs is letting the pigs from here do the work. And there is no sign from him."

"Huh?"

"You'll see."

She didn't think so.


But then two hours later they are speeding towards the center of London. Zane and Jake flanked her- Brian nowhere in sight.

"What's your location, Bri?" She asked through the link in her ear.

"Oh, near the big bridge we passed when he got here. 'Member?"

She shrugged, observing two cars from the front drive sluggishly, "I might."

Her objective is to completely deviate Hobbs from Owen. And if the half-assed plan Owen concocted actually worked, she would cross this bridge a maximum amount of three times.

Owen had actually gone in and barricaded himself in an underground building, right after he had sent Oakes to be captured so that their plan could be put into motion. Assuming Oakes betrayed them- which he did.

This is were working with Owen got unbearable as he had no sentiments for his team. Whoever died; died. Whoever lived...well there was always a chance you could die. That was the difference between Brian and Owen. Brian had respect for his teammates as well as Owen's.

How Brian could bear to work with Owen was beyond Kumiko.

"Oh guys! You should see is. Owen just took out a whole squadron of those pigs. He made the building collapse, ya know. And I think I see Hobbs now. He's..."

Then everything is a flurry from then on. Kumiko accelerated and passed by Zane's Mitsubishi. It was now time for the mission and there is no time to lose. Efficiency is rule now, and there is no way she's crossing Owen.

Brian is in the front line, so when he reports, she doesn't doubt it. "Jake, pick up Adolfson and Ivory. Vegh will be backing up Klaus, Jah and Denlinger."

"Kumiko, Zane- follow Owen and keep a tight lid on the cops."

She swerves around to take another street that will take her to the one Brian has spoken about, Zane following close after. Jake takes the road that will cross him over the river towards Adolfson's location near Interpol.

"Have fun."

And just like that, Brian disconnects and she has to shake herself to convince her own conscience that that bad feeling in the pit of her stomach is an ache and not foreboding.

Something was about to happen.


Brain smiles grimly ahead; there are only three flip cars in their possession and he is driving one. Vegh and Owen have the rest. And he can't help but wonder if perhaps there were too many people involved in this mission. At maximum, only around ten people were needed.

He can't wait for the mission to be over so that he can return back to Tokyo- back to the place he deems safe and sound.

Of course, Tokyo doesn't exactly feel like home- but then again, what does? He's lost several years worth of memories and he knows he can't regain them just yet. Maybe he won't ever, but if he ever does- he hopes his past is normal.

Not I-have-a-wife-and-several-kids-and-a-job-as-a-doctor-kind of normal, but a normal life where he might live alone or with a girlfriend and he has- had simple drama problems.

Kumiko is a great girl and all, but she's his little sister and that is all they will ever be. He wants someone who moves as fast as he does, someone one who adapts to his vagabond life like a second skin. Someone who wasn't afraid of the steering wheel.

Perhaps someday.

"Vegh, Brian." Owen is a man of short words, but he makes his point across.

Brian slams on the pedal and he is speeding ahead, knowing that in several minutes, everyone would be at the rendezvous point that they agreed and that would be when he would take over.

She nods, "Let's go, boys." He hears Vegh over the headset and he imagines what everything would look like if he were there. He can only guess until everyone tells their story at dinner. But he imagines...

They sweep past the mess Adolfson has made with his sniper and catches a glimpse of Jake's car heading off a little distance in front. The long line of grey cars just behind Vegh.

"How many behind us?" Vegh asks.

"A woman and two men."

Vegh hums, "Take them out."

He imagines them swerving to the side, just as Jah orders Denlinger to prep the chip gun. When he hears the- "No good, no good!" He can only wonder who was it that outsmarted the chip's destructiveness.

He breathes in calmly, a soft smile gracing his features. And he wonders...maybe...

'Maybe this team has what it takes. Whoever they are.'

He hears Vegh's voice again, "Approaching rendezvous point."

He accelerates, just as the long stream of cars appears, and he blends in just in time as they enter the tunnel ahead of the circle shaped street he was waiting on. He catches a glimpse of a woman approaching in a BMW M5 E60- just like the rest of her team.

The woman is quick. Jake and Adolfson are hard-pressed to get out of her range safely. She is an incredible driver and he wonders just exactly who is she. If she can manage to seal Jake from escaping then she deserves a medal.

"Brian. I need help." Jake whispers, his voice tense as he makes another attempt at escaping the woman's 'clutches.'

He nods, "No problem."

Jake manages to lose the woman only with a convenient truck but once they pass it the woman accelerates and manages to hit the bumper of the Mitsubishi Jake is using just as Brian puts himself in front of their vehicle in reverse.

As she prepares to hit it once more, Jake swerves out of the way and the woman foolishly runs into the lever of his flip car; and like the name if his vehicle suggests, her car flips into the air.

It almost makes a spectacle- a beautifully done stunt- but then the car skids upside down and the show is over. Jake is gone already but Brian takes his chance.

He spins around, curious as to see if perhaps the woman is as tough as he believed. As he slows down, the woman raises her shocked face and he smiles and gives her a mock salute.

Then he leaves.

"Brian, I will need your assistance." Own calls.

'Why not Vegh?' He wonders. She was closer to Owen's location. There must be something Owen wants him to see. But if so...then what?

Sorry guys, for the cliffhanger. But this was as far as I could go into this chapter without revealing my entire plans while still giving you some things to think about.

I thank those who have taken the time to review my work- and to that reader who reminded me that I needed to toughen up and continue my work.

I believe that over this small break I've had, I might have gotten rusty, so if any of the chapter seems to break any expectations, please tell me and I will correct it.