Rewritten: 6/17/18

Back out west after rescuing their driver turning out to be an old friend of Jake's, the crew heads back to Vegas and waits for the next day to set out to Phoenix Arizona. With nothing else to do at the moment, they took advantage of their time and head out to the strip to see a show, eat at a high class restaurant, as well as gamble at one of the Strip Casinos. They have a fun time for one night in Las Vegas until heading back to HQ for rest and head down the next day.

Despite just meeting Maxwell again, he unfortunately couldn't go with Jake & crew to Arizona. He stays behind to help the 5-10 Outcasts and would call Jakes crew for any information on the exports being transported by Logan's 5-10s. They load up their raid vehicles on back of the two loaders and proceed to head out, heading southeast. The trip would take half a day if not running into any traffic. The crew goes for another desert run, taking them around 5 to 6 hours taking the US routes. They cross the state border crossing the Hoover Dam, yet another Landmark the crew would pass through in the region. Not dealing with trouble on the way they make it to Phoenix on time and set up a temporary HQ at an abandon warehouse, storing their raid vehicles there. Wasting no time as the sun already set in the evening, they go for a few challenges in the city in their perf vehicles. For the first time in the region they get attention by city cops as usual, ending the night with one race with local 5-10s in the area. The next day they set out in their raid vehicles heading out of city limits.

The races/challenges in the state were the same as Nevada, getting stranded in open desert and dealing with transporting drivers to areas in the state. Not all terrain was full on desert however; the crew drives through more hills/mountains east of Phoenix as well as going through forests areas in Apache Sitgreaves, entering races as well as camping out there. Majority of races/challenges took them more in greener, mountainous areas of Arizona to where they decide to enter road races on their perf specs in areas like Slide Rock SP and Surveyor Canyon further up racing on the 89A road. It was a beautiful route to take, surrounded by mix of pine forests and rocky buttes/canyons of Sedona Arizona. However, that was nothing compared to the next region in the state. Up north from them was the Grand Canyon National Park. It was a raid driver's paradise taking a road that showed a vast canyon region that would go on for miles and steep cliffs going down hundreds of feet. The canyon was too steep for a raid vehicle, yet there was a dirt road that could lead them down below, facing the danger of driving off cliffs taking hairpin turns on the edges of the canyon. Before long still in the area, they complete enough races/challenges to face the Phoenix V2. She was already in the area to meet them as their crew race path would be on the same dirt road going down the canyon, only this time they're going down the path at night.

The Grand Canyon was almost pitched black at night hours, having no moon to light up some of the terrain. Over two weeks of racing, this was where Jake & crew were about to face-off, possibly facing instant death by falling down in the dark canyon below. The two crews meet at a parking lot at the Desert View campgrounds. There was no lighting on the lot using their vehicle headlights to meet face to face. The female V2 had a few screws loose addicted to the danger that comes ahead going down at the bottom. While it was a short race, the risks were very high. All the crews had to do was make it down to the Colorado River. First crew to make it down there wins Arizona, simple as that. As Jake's crew swallows their anxiety, they get in to their vehicles and prepare to race.

A bright flare sets the race in motion with the two crews sticking to a dirt road that goes down into the canyon. Relying on their headlights and or drivers leading up front, the racers run across the canyon edges in complete darkness. The crews would barely hang around the edges in turns, missing from falling to their deaths by just inches as well as centimeters. Despite this clear danger, the V2 was not afraid to play dirty, cutting off one of Jake's drivers to run off the cliffs. They stayed focused on the dirt path and wait for their shots to pass without running off the V2's drivers themselves. The race felt long but was only a couple miles of dirt path. The adrenalin rush Jake & crew got makes them push harder for the front position, but as so the V2 was willing to take risky moves like cutting off hairpin turns and drop a few feet on the route below blindly, giving the thought that this driver has driven on here for a long time knowing where to cut paths even in total darkness. Jake follows behind taking the risks she took while racers in back continue staying on the route yards behind. It was mostly turning into a canyon duel between Jake and the V2 alone with just half a mile of dirt road to reach the Colorado. They fight for first position as the cliff hovering over the river approaches where the finish was located, showing two lamps marking the finish line. Between the shoving around fighting for first, Jake realizes that he doesn't need to place first needing his crew to finish before the V2's could. Somehow the V2 herself forgot all about it as Jake slowed down to the finish while the V2 kept going. Shockingly, she continues going as she foolishly jumps her car over the cliff and into the water river below. Jake couldn't believe what he saw, getting out and looking over the cliff. Eventually, his crew caught up with him and cross the line before the other crew did, only to see Jake almost in horror looking over the cliff. The V2's car was nowhere to be seen, until they saw the driver swim up from the river and climb out of it, laughing over the stunt. Jake's crew looks back at her from above, realizing how nuts she was by almost drowning in the river while still inside her vehicle. As her crew also looks back, they decide to give Jake's crew the win over Arizona with them reaching the line first. This was one crazy night they thought.

The crew was glad to be driving on flat open ground again almost killing themselves driving on the edge of the Grand Canyon. They head to an inn not too far from them, staying for the night until making a run back to Phoenix to get back their perf spec vehicles. They leave the inn the next day very early morning before the sun would rise. While going down a highway, Jake suddenly gets a car on phone seeing it was coming from Alicia. He was surprised seeing that it took her almost a month to finally call despite him also wanting to call her back but couldn't for some reason. Thinking she was still back in Miami he wonders what was going on, talking to her, only to realize she was here in the state, driven all the way out here alone to come back with her crew. Wondering where she was she answers that she wasn't far, somewhere on another highway. Jake tells her to head to Phoenix at a specific location, and if possible to look for 4 raid vehicles heading that direction. He hangs up and tells the crew the surprising news. Moments later as the sun was already on the desert horizon, the crew sees a small yellow car catching up with them in back. It was her, reuniting with her crew once again in a group of 5 as they all head back to the city together.

Eventually, they head back into the city and make it back to the warehouse to switch over vehicles. But once they got out of their cars they immediately approach Alicia, each giving her a hug including Jake.

Jake asks her: "Why would you come all this way just to be with us again?"

She answers: "I missed all of you guys, I missed being out here just driving with all of you.

Jake: Just to come all the way out here?

Alicia: It's not just that, Jake. You see… I don't know how to tell you this… but…(Alicia stands on her tip toes and just gives him a kiss, surprising Jake) ..I love you."

Jake smiles: "Heh, You know… I wanted to tell you the same thing after I left."

Alicia: "Well why couldn't you then? After you kissed me?"

Jake: "Like you always say, it's complicated."

Both give big hugs as the crew witnesses them getting together at last.

Dwayne: Heh, I knew those two would get together at some point.

Grease on the other had was kind of bothered, having a crush on her for quite some time, only for Aaron to realize and comment: "Hey, there's always other women like her, bud. You'll get your chance someday."

Grease replies looking down: "Sigh..Well, at least we're still friends I guess."

Alicia sees how he felt, only to approach him: "Oh don't get all bummed out, Grease, come here. ..How many times do I have to tell you?"

Grease: "Nono It's cool, I understand. I'm happy that you got with him. I mean, it's not like I'm upset that you got taken again by a guy who happens to be my friend, right? Heheh.. eh.. Just this one time on the cheek, please."

Alicia rolls eyes: "Oh not this again, Grease."

Grease: "I'm not saying much. I promise I'll move on from ya and still be friends."

Alicia: Grease, we went over this so many times and you always say the same thing. When are you ever gonna grow up and realize that? I'm never gonna kiss you, even on the cheek, not ever."

Grease: "Come on, I cleaned my face this time. No oil grease at all."

Alicia: "I said no, Grease. That's the last time."

Jake to Alicia: "Oh Just give him one, I think he deserves some love from ya coming this far."

Alicia: "Jake, friends don't give each other kisses. I like him, yes, but not in that way. I don't want to give him the wrong Idea."

Grease: I'll give you free upgrades on your cars, anything, just this one time, I promise. Please?"

Jake: "He said 'please'."

Alicia: ...Ugh, ok, fine. But just this one time. (Alicia brings his head towards her and gives one small kiss on Grease's cheek, despite not feeling comfortable about it) Now, for the hundredth time, can we just be friends and friends only?"

Grease replies in some shock: "...Can I have another one?"

Alicia chuckles abit: "I only did it cause Jake said so. You're lucky I find you very sweet and funny, otherwise I would stop being your friend long ago. No more, you promised."

Grease: "So.. you still like me then?"

Alicia: "sigh, How could I not?" (Gives him a hug, only for him to make a small lovestruck face)

Jake: "We're not just friends, guys. We're a family. We always stick together, (Looks at Alicia) and we never drive alone. We have only one region to conquer until we reach the West Coast. It's only gonna get harder, team. Now let's move out, pronto."

While they were about to set out going up north to Utah, they get a call back from Maxwell down in Las Vegas. A car shipment was discovered heading their direction and their chance of getting it was starting right now. Alicia questions who that was, only for Jake to tell her on the way of what happened more than a week ago. The raid vehicles were already loaded on the auto loaders as they head out of Phoenix for Max to give them details on the shipment's location. They were about to make a detour of the path they were originally going to take, sending them instead out all the way to Monument Valley.

Taking them around 5 to 6 hours they were still crossing through a grassland desert until the crew sees a couple of mesas/buttes out in the distance. While already passing through Kayenta taking the US 163, they were almost close to the valley itself including the state border. By now the sun was already shining west in the afternoon as the crew drives along the straight highway out in open desert and seeing the iconic mesa structures get closer every mile they took. Surprisingly there was snow in the region as half of the rock formations were covered in white ice mixed with the red rock. Once the crew crossed the state border into Utah they were officially in Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. From there they meet other crews from the 5-10 Outcasts as they were briefed over the situation. Max talks over Jake's crew as they were going to need their raid vehicles for the job, stopping at a dirt parking lot to unload their cars. Alicia of course didn't have one as the crews offered her a raid vehicle to help out. The Outcasts crews in the area go over the plan.

There were 3 vehicles carrying 3 spec vehicles needed for the West Coast while also guarded by a number of drivers. The vehicles were what looked to be rally trucks on the outside. However, these trucks were specially modified on the inside, converted into auto loaders to sneak across the open desert away from authorities. While their transports were meant to be in secret, the Outcasts got a hold of their routes thanks to Maxwell of the surviving StreetRats. What was planned was to hijack the two trucks with the cars inside while also dealing with drivers protecting the shipments. Unlike the jobs before hand, more than a dozen Outcasts drivers were involved preparing for a possible "Motorstorm" style raid. Thing was however, the crews came early. Jake's crew would have to wait out overnight in the blistering cold, sitting around a campfire in thick Navajo pattern blankets given by the crews. While Jake told half of his backstory to Alicia, holding her in his arms to keep warm, he now tells his whole story to everyone, even taking turns telling their own stories while Grease attempts to tell a scary story just to entertain. Eventually, they get some rest, only for Jake & Alicia to spend little time lying together now as a couple gazing at the stars.

The sun was barely rising as the crews now set off and prepare to ambush the trucks crossing through. Scouts were positioned on top of one of the mesas as they eventually spot a group of drivers and the trucks going across the Outcasts' position. Jake's crew as well as others hid behind mesas or rocks waiting to strike. As the trucks got close they get the signal to drive out and give chase. Certain Outcasts crews took care of the drivers defending the trucks while crews including Jake's went for the trucks. A co-driver was in one of the vehicles as his/her job was to somehow jump/climb onto the trucks as the driver tries to get close from behind or right side. While doing so, the aggressors clear a way for them. Despite the bumpy movements the co drivers manage to stay on using hooks. They attempt to break the right door window and try to open it to get inside the co-seat, fighting the driver for control and pushing him/her out the left side. However, some of the defending drivers manage to get to the vehicles hijacking the trucks and knock them out before the passenger could jump on. Grease was one of the backup drivers carrying a passenger as it was now his turn to get his passenger on the truck. His crew sticks around him to veer off defending drivers.

Between it all, a number of raid vehicles were being taken out of commission from both sides. So far the Outcasts had hijacked 2 out of the 3 trucks leaving only one to take as every vehicle put their focus on the last truck. The defenders group up to try and take out Grease carrying a passenger to jump on the truck. After fighting off drivers who got too close and keeping up, the passenger was able to hook on to the truck. The truck driver got desperate as he maneuvered side to side trying to shake off the person as well as scraping him off on oncoming rocks. As the truck driver looks at the mirror on the right side he thought he had knocked off the passenger, when suddenly the left door open with the passenger pulling out the truck driver and throwing him onto the dirt. The passenger gives the call on radio that the last truck is now taken. The roles are now turn as the Outcasts were now the ones defending the trucks as remaining corrupt 5-10s attempt to run them down. Jake's crew guards the last truck taking out any drivers getting close. Eventually the drivers gave up chasing, having no way to get the trucks back failing the transport. The 5-10 Outcasts make a drive back to their hold out spot avoiding any outside drivers following. Surviving Outcasts including Jake & crew get out taking a closer look at the taken rally trucks and dismantling one to confirm their catch. Jake was surprised of what he saw.

What was inside the disguised loader was a genuine race car, branded with sponsors and race numbers as well as full on circuit racing modifications. What they acquired were circuit spec vehicles; only the elite drivers of the 5-10s could get a hold of these, having a secret underground car tuner established in Los Angeles using an abandon wind tunnel as their facility. This was nothing new to the 5-10s as circuit specs were owned by the top tiers of the motorclub and were used during the Showdown in LA few months back. Somehow Logan and his remaining corrupt 5-10 crews got a hold of the facility to upgrade and sell these cars to members in the country as well as outside, possibly making millions on exporting. The Outcasts were banned to drive/own these cars in terms with Logan's 5-10 MC faction. These vehicles were going to be given to Jake and his crew to drive in the events of the West Coast. Every 5-10 Outcasts in the country was now relying on them considering they weren't part of the them. However, they needed an MC to help win a number of challenges rather than taking on all of them on their own, possibly taking them months to do so. On the other hand, their intelligence, Maxwell, was reviving/building up the StreetRats MC to take back LA alone. Despite being independent from the 5-10s, Max had already made a deal with the V8 not long ago. If they could defeat Logan's 5-10 Bears in the Region, the 5-10 Outcasts will take over the West Coast, but will give Los Angeles to the StreetRats once again, not moving in to their territory once the takeover is done. Maxwell was currently recruiting drivers as well as getting back their old ones. Jake would be glad to make his new crew part of the team. However, there was still work to be done in the Mountain States region. They get back to their perf spec cars and continue driving up to Salt Lake City, bringing along a group of crews speeding up the highways.

This was yet another experience to Jake & crew as they were now leading numbers of drivers to the next city. While Dwayne was the driver they were following, it was Jake giving the commands and directions showing his leadership. In some specs to the 5-10s, Jake would be a good V4 in the MC, proving his experience in the other regions. Despite being given the offer to join the 5-10s to control a region, it was hard to choose considering he promised his crew that they will not do anything for the 5-10s, specifically the Outcasts after defeating Logan, going their own ways or joining back with the StreetRats MC controlling Los Angeles. Dwayne and Alicia, being former 5-10s would be honored to drive for the StreetRats as Jake's top crew. Even though Maxwell was now the current MC President, Max is willing to offer Jake back his title as MC President if he joins back. However, it was still undetermined to Jake's crew at the moment just discovering these offers. Will they join the 5-10s after all, the StreetRats, or drive independently on their own without controlling a region or a city, having the whole country for themselves to drive as a traveling crew. Jake had to think this through on his way to the west.