TWENTY-SIX

Kylie stood beside Vince on the sidelines waiting for Dom's race to start. Normally she enjoyed watching him, but tonight, as she waited for the flag to drop, she was nervous. She didn't trust Jeremy any more than she trusted Letty. The fact that he'd pulled up to their camp site just an hour after they'd returned from Las Vegas and challenged Dom to race only added to her anxiety.

The way Letty had gone off, when she'd realized they were married, coupled with Jeremy's threatening attitude frightened her. She was pretty sure if she had asked Dom not to race he wouldn't have, but she couldn't bring herself to do that. He was a proud man who never backed down from a challenge and asking him to do so didn't seem right. It would be changing the man she loved.

Instead she had kissed him long and hard while holding him tight. She told him softly to stay safe, and then went to the sidelines where the team had gathered. She had then sought out Vince, the silent concern on his face matching her own. She gained strength from his confidence in Dom and leaned on him when he threw an affectionate arm around her in silent support.

A few moments later the race started. Kylie pulled away from Vince and moved forward to see better. She cheered as Dom immediately took the lead, unfortunately Jeremy was only a few inches behind him. They continued on, jockeying for the lead, side by side. Suddenly Jeremy's car swerved, and crashed into Dom's, and forcing it into the concrete barrier separating the fans from the course.

Kyie watched in horror as Dom's car struck the barrier, then proceeded to roll, once, twice, three times before coming to rest on it's roof. As rescue workers rushed forward she heard screaming, completely unaware that it was emanating from her own mouth. Her view was blocked by the rescue workers as her eyes searched for Dom.

Something exploded and the rescuers were backlit by orange and yellow flames that quickly consumed Dom's beloved car. Heart pounding in her throat, Kylie tried to run towards it, only to feel two bands of steel prevent her movement. Looking behind her she realized Vince was holding her back.

"Let me go!" she screamed, struggling to get loose. "Dom! I gotta go to Dom," she sobbed to no avail.

"No way, Ky! It's too dangerous!" Vince argued, refusing to let her go.

Together they watched for several long moments, Kylie still struggling and sobbing. Finally she turned in Vince's arms and buried her face in his chest as she was overwhelmed by sobs. Oh, God! I can't lose Dom! I can't!

Suddenly she felt Vince's arms loosen. "Ky," he called softly. "Ky! Look!" He nudged her gently.

Hope flared within her, and Kylie turned praying she'd see Dom walking toward her. She didn't, instead she saw paramedics rushing towards the waiting ambulance carrying Dom. He was strapped to a backboard and appeared to be unconscious. They hurried past her, and a sobbing Mia, who was being held back by Brian, to the waiting ambulance.

Suddenly everything seemed to slow down as a wave of despair slammed into Kylie. She was losing Dom. How would she survive with out him? How would she care for their child? Her heart splintered at the thought of going on alone, without her strong sweet partner.

Lost in her pain she was unaware of Vince leading her to his car and helping her into the back seat. He even did up her seat belt. She was like a doll, just allowing him to bring her along and staying wherever he placed her without a comment or struggle.

She was vaguely aware of arriving at the hospital, and Rachel leading her to a chair in the waiting room while Vince demanded answers at the receptionist's desk. Around her Lydia and Lexie were comforting Mia, Jesse was pacing and Angel chewed her fingernails. Leon, Brian and Roman had joined Vince in his quest for information. Despite their attempts none of them were able to get any info and when the receptionist finally threatened to have security remove them all, they sat down with Jesse and the girls to wait.

F&F

Time passed slowly and the team grew worried, but not just about Dom. Mia was trying hard to be strong and was taking care of the others. She'd made several trips to the cafeteria for coffee and snacks, however no one really wanted any. They each accepted her offerings though, knowing it was her way of coping. Brian was at her side constantly just in case she needed him.

Kylie, on the other hand, was like a statue, just sitting and staring ahead. Vince, Rachel and Rome had all tried to talk to her, but received nothing more than distracted one word answers. Her face was ravaged by tears, her eyes red and swollen. Nothing any of them said or did was of any comfort for her, and they all watched her worriedly. They worried about the stress the waiting was causing her, Mia and their babies.

Finally the doors opened and an older doctor in green scrubs asked for the Toretto Family. The poor man was instantly surrounded by the team, all asking questions at once. It took a minute but he was eventually able to quiet them.

"I can only speak to Mr. Toretto's wife and sister," he told them firmly.

Brian stepped forward. "I'm Brian O'Connor and this is Dom's sister Mia, my fiance, and this is...," he looked around unable to see Kylie. After a moment he realized she was still sitting there lost inside herself.

Vince went over and squatted down in front of her. "Hey, Ky? C'mon Little Girl, focus." He gently shook her shoulders to get her attention.

Vince's gentle nudging brought Kylie out of herself and back to reality. She took in the team surrounding the scrubs clad doctor and was immediately alarmed. Was he here to tell her Dom was …? No! Please no!

She shook her head. "No! He's not …," she insisted.

"No, Ky. Easy, Little Girl. The doc is ready to talk to us," Vince reassured her softly. He helped her up and led her over to the waiting group.

"Doctor, whatever you have to say can be said to all of us. These people are our family," Mia told the older man.

He nodded. "I'm sorry it's taken so long but we've had several traumas come in. Mr. Toretto came in conscious and talking, however due to the medics report that he'd been unconscious at the scene we conducted a cat scan. There was no evidence of brain trauma. He has a mild concussion, three fractured ribs and a bruised shoulder. We'll keep him overnight for observation, but I expect him to go home tomorrow with no problem."

Kylie felt stunned with relief. She was afraid to believe it was true, afraid it was just a dream and that when she woke the worst would be true.

The next thing she knew, Vince was urging her to follow the nurse to see Dom along with Mia and Brian. The rest of the team would have to wait until tomorrow. She'd only taken a few steps when she felt dizzy, her vision blurred and she swayed.

Vince saw Kylie sway and quickly moved beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "OK, Little Girl?" he asked, his voice sounding even rougher with worry.

Kylie, grateful for his support leaned into his bigger body. She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked up at him.

"Just a little dizzy," she finally replied.

"You sure?" Vince asked, his concern evident on his face.

Kylie nodded and pulled away from his support. She was Dom's girl and he needed her now. She had to be strong for him. She squeezed Vince's arm in thanks, then headed to the door where Brian, Mia and the E.R. Doctor were waiting.

As she followed the others through the hallways, Kylie felt her trepidation growing. She had missed most of the doctor's comments and wasn't quite sure how he was injured. All she understood for certain, was that he was being kept overnight, and would go home in the morning if no problems arose.

She stopped at the door,watching as Mia and Brian followed the doctor into the room where Dom lay. She heard Mia call his name and his deep voice replying. The words were muffled, then Mia reprimanded him for scaring her. Dom ignored her. "Where's Ky?" he asked instead.

Kylie took a deep breath as tears stung her eyes yet again. "Here," she croaked out as she pushed open the door. She took a step inside and stopped when her eyes collided with Dom's concerned filled brown orbs. The world around them slowly disappeared. She was vaguely aware of Mia and Brian leaving.

"Ky?" Dom's gruff voice brought her out of her trance. As she walked across the room to where he was sitting up on the gurney, she looked him over. His bottom half was covered with a sheet, but his top half was bare. There were bruises still forming over his ribs on the left side, and an ace bandage around his left shoulder with an ice pack on top of it. A bandage covered a small area on the left side of his scalp. She stepped up next to the gurney and her voice shook when she spoke.

"I was scared I'd lost you," she informed him quietly.

Dom hated himself for the fear and sadness he could see in her eyes. He held out his right hand, sighing when she placed her own in it.

"I'm sorry, Little Girl, so damn sorry. I never meant to scare you," he told her, his deep voice husky with emotion. And I promise you, Kylie Toretto, I'll never do it again," he assured her.

"Dom, don't -," Kylie shook her head.

"I mean it Ky! I'm done racing." Dom interrupted forcefully. "I realized tonight that I coulda missed out on spending the next fifty years with you, on seeing our baby being born, and on being a part of his or her life. All because I let my pride get me into a race with someone I've never trusted. I wont make that mistake again."

"But Dom," Kylie replied softly, her hand moving up to his cheek, "you love to race. It's a part of you. I can't let you give it up."

Dom closed his eyes and sighed. He turned his head and kissed her palm. Using his right arm, he pulled her closer until she was leaning against the right side of his chest, trapped there by his arm snaking around her waist.

"The reason I love racing so much is because it was something I did with my dad. After he died I kept racing because of the way it makes me feel. Like I'm flying. Free. For those few seconds everything fades away, the bills, the garage, the team, and I'm free."

"Then how can -," Kylie started to ask, not wanting him to give up something so important.

"I ain't done yet," Dom interrupted and chastised her. He grinned as she rolled her eyes at his interruption, then nodded for him to continue. "For years that was all I had, fifteen seconds here and there. Then I came home one day and found you naked in my bathroom. Right then, on that first day when you looked up at me and smiled, I knew it. I found another way to feel free. I just gotta look at you, see you smile, or hear you laugh, or say my name and everything fades away. Then the only thing that matters is me and you."

Kylie swore under her breath. Dom amazed her over and over, he was such an sweet man. She felt a lone tear slip down her cheek. Dom grunted in pain as he lifted his left hand to gently brush it away.

"I love you," Kylie told him seriously, "but you can't give up racing. It's too much a part of you, and I would miss it."

"Ky-,"

"No Dom! I'm serious. Promise me you won't just give up racing," she implored him.

Dom nodded. "OK Baby, but I am going to cut down, a lot," he promised. "I'm also gonna be more selective about who I race." Dom grinned. "Now how about a kiss from my girl?"

Kylie nodded, a soft smile gracing her lips. Then she leaned in and brushed her lips across his in sweet sensuous kiss.

F&F

AN: OK I am not really happy with this chapter. I had an epiphany last night, but that would have involved scrapping this whole chapter and starting over with this idea. I couldn't do that to you all, you've been waiting too long as it is. So, (dramatic pause followed by resigned sigh) review and tell me what you think. Please? Please? Please? Don't make me beg. We all know I'm a review slut so just give me some love!