9. Plan B through F

The cars were racing along the freeway trying to find Shaw. This was the route that the convoy was travelling, and they were ninety nine percent certain that Shaw would attack the convoy en-route rather than at the base. Brian was glad that Carter wasn't on the bridge with Tej, Han and Giselle. Carter was heading to the base to coordinate all their activities, and to raise awareness amongst their networks in the country.

Tej's pep talks should go down in history. "Guys let's just stick to the plan."

Brian sent a prayer to God, Allah, Buddha, and hell anyone who was listening that this would could happen. He was hurtling along the freeway and didn't want to acknowledge that there was a fucking tank - he was seeing it; just working on believing. His mind was working on overdrive - the sheer devastation that Shaw was causing for kicks was horrific, Dom seemed to agree as the radio blared, "We need to get his focus off the civilians."

Brian snorted as Rome raced forward ready to be annoying to the tank - if anyone is up for the job it is Rome. However Brian didn't like what was unfolding in front of his eyes. Rome's luck and occasional smarts were with him, as he slammed his brakes on - meaning that while he was being shunted along by the tank he wasn't crispy. It wasn't too long before they could all see that Rome would be crushed under the sheer weight of the tank. It wasn't immediate but the car was being sawn off bit by bit. Rome was justifiably freaked, "Er guys I have a tank up my ass."

Brian shifted gear and tried to keep his best friend calm. "Hang on Rome ... I'm coming."

Dom added another thought to his rescue plan, "That car might make a nice deadweight."

Brian chuckled, "I hear you. Rome hook the turret up to the winch."

Rome freaked out, but did as he was told. He just hoped that Brian had a crazy ass plan to rescue his ass. He was too pretty to die this damn young - forget any country song that said differently.

Brian was gearing up so that Rome could jump onto his roof, "Jump."

Brian could see that his best friend wanted to protest but now was not the time. He had just jumped across the busy median putting himself in front of a tank. He swung the car as close as he dared and hoped Rome jumped because soon there wouldn't be enough left of his car to jump from.

He had never been so relieved, as when Rome scurried through the window looking a little harried. He just hoped that they could disrupt the tank before it caused untold damage. Giving a guy like Shaw a tank was like giving a psychotic kid the keys to a gun shop.

Dom goaded, "Come on Brian."

Brian didn't need the reminder; he was manipulating the scrap of metal that used to be Rome's car so that it would dive over the bridge. He was nearly there when he noticed the turret open - it was Letty.

"Dom?" Brian didn't quite know what would be the plan. The last thing he wanted to do was send Letty to her death after they had only just realised that she was alive.

Dom was moving already - he could see what was happening and knew that Letty would be thrown from the tank as it went over the edge. He had a miniscule window of opportunity.

Letty knew that Owen had sent her to her death but at least she might be able to save a few people. If the car stayed as an anchor then it would hinder Owen and she couldn't think of a more perfect 'fuck you' to Owen. She was flying into the air and braced herself for death. She figured that she'd been on borrowed time ever since she'd awoken in the hospital. No one was more surprised than she was, when she slammed into the car on the other side of the median - embraced in the arms of Dominic Toretto. She gave him a dubious look, "This will not become a thing - got it."

Dom chuckled but didn't let his hands go from where they were cradled around her. "Whatever you say babe. Whatever you say."

Brian watched a smug Shaw in the transport; Brian didn't like it. He couldn't wait to get back to the base and contact Carter. There was a sense of foreboding deep in his bones. Shaw was too happy for a man who was captured. If Brian didn't know better he would suspect that Owen would want to be captured. That was crazy though - who would want to get arrested?

Brian shook his head, all would become clear. They were walking through the maze of tunnels, and sparing a glance at Riley he wasn't sure how anyone could mistake her as a loyal DSS agent - she was practically glaring at Hobbs for doing his job.

Owen stood at military attention, proud and sure despite the shackles. The base commander sneered, "You're gonna see nothing but darkness for a long time."

Shaw shrugged, "Maybe but not today."

Brian's senses went on to high alert, "Tej. Where is Carter?"

A phone cut through the strained silence, and sure enough Brian started to see an inkling of what might happen. He just hoped that Shaw was less of a bastard then he suspected. He was looking directly at Brian when he said, "You might want to answer that pet."

Brian heard Mia scream and Carter shout, "Aright."

He'd yet to explain it, but not many things could make Brian flinch so the others started to get an inkling of just what was going on. "This is a new level of utter bastard, even for you."

Owen smirked, "Darling I told you I wanted you, and Verone is standing in my way. The girl is to make sure that Toretto behaves."

Dom was still and vibrating with restrained fury, "Where is she?"

Shaw smirked, "In a safe location, well, apart from the bomb under the platform where she and Verone currently are staying."

Brian knew right then what Owen's demand would be. He was just pissed that he had Carter and would have to play into the pyscho's hands. As long as Hobbs agreed then he would go along with Shaw. He would trust that he and Dom would see Carter safe and then they would all come for him. "What do you want Owen?"

"The chip and you. Sounds perfect!"

The base commander exploded, "No fucking way. Take him away."

It was telling that at this point all three of them pointed weapons to still the base personnel. Hobbs looked to Toretto, "If O'Conner agrees then I'll support you but it will mean no pardons."

Hobbs knew O'Conner well enough to know that he would do it - if only to see his husband safe. That and O'Conner seemed to be ten kinds of insane at any given moment - one might even go as far as to say bat shit insane.

Dom spared a look at Brian but he knew that Brian would go to the ends of the earth for either one. Still he knew that if he was Shaw he wouldn't put his back to Brian as he might not like the consequence. The metal case was given to Brian and only when he was ready did Owen add what he thought was a shock, "Coming pet?"

Riley preened, "Yeah, we got what we came for."

Hobbs raised an unimpressed, "Please do, and it was getting tiresome hiding information. Although sweetheart you're still stupid to realise that you've been replaced."

Riley flushed, but walked out with Owen and Brian, keeping her gun trained on O'Conner. Owen had ordered her to shoot to wound if he tried anything. "Too bad you've picked the wrong team Letty."

Letty looked unimpressed and that look was pure Letty. It reminded him of the look she used to give the skanks that used to flock around him. Turning to Dom she gave him a thorough perusal, "Nah I'd say I've traded up."

Owen was pleased that he'd got what he wanted but he wouldn't lie that he'd miss the little spitfire. "Come on let's go. The minute we are on the plane your captives will be released ... try anything and the platform will be blown up where both Verone and Toretto are staying."

Brian carefully and calmly walked out, wanting for all the world to flinch away from Shaw. He couldn't though for now; not until he got confirmation that Carter and Mia were safe, and Owen knew it. It was why the bastard kept touching him - not intimately, but with affection. They were in a car and there was no way to move away. Brian made a silent vow right there; fuck Interpol and the horse they rode in on. If there was even half an opportunity then Shaw would be dead by his hand.

Carter woke in pain with a groan. He was disorientated and felt like he'd been hit with a truck. The harsh light told him that for once it was his turn to play the damsel in distress, and that was just not right. It was a well acknowledged fact that Brian was the pretty one in their relationship. He went to move and couldn't help but grumble, "Damn bastard."

Mia laughed, half in relief, "Oh thank god."

Carter realised that he'd awoken in her lap. His one eye was open and that was all he was willing to risk for now. "Is Jack okay?"

Mia smiled at that and could see that despite his bad boy image – he had a good heart. She knew there had to be something for Brian to fall head over heels for him. She wasn't stupid she understood the allure of a bad-boy, but you don't marry the bad boy – not if you're smart. She wanted to reassure him, "Yeah Elena used our distraction."

Carter was pleased and adamant, "Good because children are innocent."

Mia couldn't help but agree to that, it was a sentiment which ran through most good families. Still she needed to distract him until they could get him some pain relief for his ribs. "I thought you said you were the sensible husband?"

Carter wanted to laugh, but thought better of it remembering the pain in his ribs when he first gained consciousness. "Oh come on, you knew Brian when he was younger. If this is him mellowing then I know he must have done crazy things before."

Mia laughed softly, "Guessing you never heard about his free jump onto a moving rig, from a car. To free my husband and the driver was armed."

Carter sighed, "He has calmed down then. I hope he murders Owen for this."

He might have expected Mia to object, but that was not the case. Owen Shaw had made war against her family and threatened her son – she was ready to kill him herself if she could manage it. "I think it will be a competition – who gets him first."

They couldn't risk being aggressive or trying to escape. Shaw had left Vegh and her minion, so Carter wasn't stupid enough in his injured state. He decided to make it known just why Owen was not the man for Brian and bond with Mia, who was important member of Brian's family. "So you tell me one embarrassing story and then I'll trade ya one."

Mia giggled ignoring their bleak surroundings, and had a mischievous glint in her eye, "You've got yourself a deal."