When Emma and Killian went back to work at the charity, it was buzzing with activity. Everyone was packing up their stuff when Belle found them. "Emma," she said, handing her a sheet of labels, "Here are the stickers for your boxes that will be moved. The movers will use them to put the boxes in your new office."
Emma smiled. "Perfect. Thank you Belle. Do we know how the furniture delivery is going?"
"Merida is over at the new location and she is directing where everything is to be set up. But…" Belle smiled at both of them. "I'm sure she would love some help."
Killian nodded. "We'll head over as soon as we get the boxes taken care of." He turned to Emma. "Shall we get to it, love?"
She agreed and they headed back to her temporary office. "Killian, you don't need to help me. Besides, I don't have much in my office anyway. One box of personal stuff, and just one or two of work stuff. I haven't been here that long."
"No worries, Swan. Besides, then we can get over to the new office and see how it looks."
"Ahhh...so that's the real motivator," she said, seeing the joy on his face and knowing just how much he was looking forward to see everything done—to have the charity in its own space, not reliant on Regina or the race team.
It didn't even take a half hour until her boxes were packed and they were pulling up at the new office. They both smiled when they saw the logo and name of the charity on a sign by the road and then over the door. They locked hands and walked past the delivery trucks and workers to get inside the building.
The floors and paint looked great in the space, and even better with the furniture. The redhead grinned when she saw the two of them. "Oh thank god. Belle told me you both were coming over. I could use the help. I can't be in five places at once."
"Alright, Merida, just tell us where you need us," Emma replied.
The woman handed them both copies of the layout and furniture plan. Emma took the offices, Kilian the break and supply rooms, and Merida stayed in the center where the volunteer area was. A couple hours later, all the furniture was delivered, placed where it should go, and the workers were leaving.
Merida walked over to the couple. "We're all done here. I'm heading back to finish my packing. Are you two staying awhile?"
"I'd like to just look around a bit. We'll lock up when we leave," Killian assured her.
She nodded and headed out, leaving them alone. "So, how does it feel?" Emma asked him.
He grinned, as his hand traveled over the long center table, the volunteers will use for various projects. "I'm still in a bit of shock, love."
They headed back to look in the offices; the nice mahogany desks looked great with the color choices. They wandered into her new office, with the large desk in the center, her new chair behind it, and two guest chairs in front. There were a couple book cases, and a credenza as well. She leaned against the desk and he came over and did the same next to her. "This is a really big desk," she said. "A really nice, very expensive desk." She gave him a knowing look.
He smiled. "It's a desk fitting the position, and you know it." He could tell she was about to object, so he continued. "And it's fitting for when you meet with sponsors and other VIPs." That seemed to quell her objections. He took her hand, and their fingers intertwined. "I can't believe that it's all done. Now that we are here, we have this space, the name is out front...it makes it all real."
"Feels good, doesn't it?"
He kissed her temple. "It feels amazing."
They flew into Chicago a day early, as did the other drivers that were in the Chase, because they had video and photo shoots for the promotion of the race. They had shots as a group and by themselves. They then had videotaped question and answer periods for fan questions, and general questions each driver answered.
Once the drivers were all done, their group decided to grab dinner together. They headed about a half hour away from the track to go to their favorite sit-down Chicago-style pizza joint. They ordered four different large pizzas, a couple pitchers of beer, and an iced tea for Ariel. After she took a sip of her tea, she sighed. "Well, at least we find out if it's a boy or a girl next week."
Cheers went up around the table and Eric smiled, pulling her close to kiss his wife's cheek.
"Okay, so I read some things online trying to explain this whole Chase thing to me, and...well...I think I'm now more confused than I was before," Emma admitted and then took a sip of her beer.
"Why didn't you say anything, love?" Killian asked, pulling her closer.
"Well, we've been so busy, and I thought I could just easily find the rules," Emma answered.
"To be honest, it changes all the time, so it would depend on how new the article is anyway," Ashley said with a roll of her eyes.
Sean laughed. "Isn't that the truth. The drivers have to keep trying to come up with new strategies every time they change it as well."
"This set of rules was enacted in '14?" Victor questioned, looking at Ruby.
She nodded. "Yep. So basically, sixteen drivers are in the Chase. The top fifteen are decided by the number of wins in the year, the last one is the highest in points that didn't already make the chase, and other spots if there aren't fifteen winning drivers."
"Okay, that part I get," Emma responded. "But the point system and racers being dropped after…" It all seemed so confusing to her.
"The remaining races are divided into four parts. The first three parts have three races each, and the last part is the final race of the year," Victor explained.
Killian continued. "And after each part, four drivers are eliminated, and the points reset. So right now there are sixteen drivers; after the first three races, the bottom four will be eliminated."
She swallowed. "How are the bottom four determined?"
Ruby and Killian started to speak at the same time, and everyone laughed. "Go ahead, lass."
Ruby grinned and then continued. "Well, any driver that wins one of the three races, automatically goes on to the next round. The others are by points, the points itself are the same as normal. So for the first sixteen, each of the drivers receive 2000 points, setting them far ahead of the rest of the drivers." She took a sip of her beer, and then kept going. "Each win the driver had during the year is worth three points."
Killian smiled, "Putting me in the lead." Emma smiled while the rest gave him playful boo's.
"Anyways…" Ruby went on, "Then the normal points system picks up, the drivers with the least amount of points, besides the winners of those races, are eliminated. The next round, the points are set to 3000, the next round 4000, and the last round 5000."
Emma ran her hand over her forehead, "Oh...kay." Everyone laughed, they understood the confusion.
"Basically," Victor told her, "Win a race of the three rounds or stay up in points. Then in the last race finish higher than the other three drivers that are left."
"That pretty much sums it up," Eric agreed before he took a drink of his beer. The friends laughed and Emma smiled. A few moments later, the waitstaff brought out the pizza and everyone dug in.
Chicago race day was insane, and the amount of press was intense. Not to mention the fact that Will had managed to arrange a small interview on a national platform for the charity with Killian and her. As she waited for him to be announced and walk across the stage, she was still in shock that she was able to do the interview, and do it well. It certainly helped when you were passionate about the cause.
Killian hugged her tight the moment he got to his car, and she went on her tiptoes to give him a kiss. After the invocation, national anthem and planes flew overhead, she gave a him one more kiss, wished him luck, and then followed the team back to the pits while he got into the car.
Killian was starting in third, Jefferson was back in eighth, and their friends were placed all over the front of the pack of cars. As soon as the cars were past the starting line, cars were changing lanes. Killian moved from the bottom to the top of the track in front of Eric in fourth, while Jefferson attempted to move through the center of the two cars in front of him.
Emma tried to keep her focus on Killian, but she couldn't help looking back at Jefferson. The wild card was a distraction, and she was hoping he would drop further back, but with the way he was driving, she knew that wouldn't be the case.
The other drivers weren't willing to hurt their cars and instead moved out of the way or slowed down so they wouldn't hit the crazy driver—doing exactly what he wanted them to, Emma realized. That was his MO, his game of chicken that he knew he would win. It was lap 37 when he found the one person that wasn't backing down: Killian.
Killian refused to get out of the way, refused to slow down just like before, and both of their cars were paying for it. By lap 52, Robin had enough. "Mate...let him go."
"Like hell I will," Killian responded, just as Jefferson tried to go past him on the wall.
"You need to have a race car left to finish the race. You winning this year will make a bigger point to him than you being out in the first round. Make a win this round, guarantee your spot and then by all means...give him hell."
Emma gave a smile to the crew chief, and she could hear the curse on the line that told her Killian regretfully agreed. He pulled down the track enough and let Jefferson get in front of him, but he did give him a nice swift bump in the rear fender to make a point.
"Thanks, mate," Robin told his driver, and grinned at Emma.
But their deal just spurred Killian into trying harder. Not going after Jefferson, but after the win. Just after the halfway mark of the race, they had both made it around Eric, as the two battled for second behind Sean, who had led all the laps until then. It was almost dizzying as she watched the two cars dance around each other. First Killian in the lead, then Jefferson, and back. Their battle was the main thing going on in the race.
With 8 laps to go, there was a caution due to a blown tire and it brought them all into the pits. The top ten cars only took fuel and two tires. Killian, with the help of his team, was out of the pits first, followed by Jefferson and then Sean.
Emma was on the edge of her seat, and she was pretty certain most of the fans were as well since they were now down to the final three laps. She wasn't exactly the religious sort, but she briefly closed her eyes and prayed to whoever was listening that he would be safe as the cars came up to the green flag once again.
They were neck-and-neck each lap, just like they had been for most of the race. The other drivers attempted to get around them as well since they were all vying for a win to secure their chances. However, with an overzealous dive into the fourth corner, Jefferson's car wobbled just a bit, and Killian was able to pull ahead, crossing the finish line by a car length. Jefferson and then Sean were right behind him.
Robin and Emma's grin's were wide, hearing the hooping and hollering from Kilian over the line. Once they took off the headsets, Robin turned to her. "See, just had to give him extra incentive."
She laughed and they climbed out of the pit box and jogged over to Victory circle while Killian took the checkered flag and finished his winning burnout.
He was completely covered in cola and his team was still screaming by the time she got to him. He pulled her close and gave her a long, hard kiss that she was sure the cameras were catching, but she didn't care as she held on tight and kissed him back. When he came back for air, he and his teammates screamed their excitement again, which had her chuckling.
The camera and red-headed reporter then came into the scene. "Killian Jones, congratulations on being the first win in the Chase!"
"Thank you!" he responded, pulling Emma closer to his side.
"For a good portion of the race, you and Jefferson seemed to be battling each other, but at a point you allowed him to pass. Why is that?"
Killian laughed, and pointed to Robin. "My crew chief. He reminded me of a few things, of what I was really here for."
The reporter smiled. "Anything that you have to say to Jefferson?"
He licked and then lightly bit his lower lip in thought, then responded with all the cockyness he could muster, "Yeah. I'm locked into the next round. I won't be backing down next time."
While Emma was at work at the charity in it's new location, getting things all cleaned up and ready for the grand opening in two weeks, Killian took advantage of the short team meeting and went into Charlotte.
He had done some research and knew exactly where he wanted to go. Some of his friends and other drivers had gone there, when the time came. It was one of the best places in the region for exactly what he was looking for.
The door chimed when he walked in and a male voice called out, "Welcome, I'll be with you in a second." Killian could see the older gentleman, his long grey hair and beard talking to another customer, so he started to look around at the display cases.
This is where he was going to have an issue: making the decision of exactly what he wanted. He couldn't do what he did for Christmas. While he was sure somewhere there were Harry Potter designs for what he wanted, he was pretty sure that wouldn't be welcome in this case.
As he perused the display cases, he saw many of the same standard designs that he had seen online. But he wasn't looking for standard, because there was nothing standard about Emma. He was lost in thought when the voice spoke again, just as the bell for the door sounded. "May I help you?"
Killian looked up at the older gentleman and gave him a smile. "I have a feeling, I'm going to need your design services."
The old man smiled, reached under the display for a pencil and paper. "What are you looking for." As Killian looked around, lost for words as to what he wanted, the man continued, "Or better yet, tell me about her."
The two of them spent the better part of the day talking about Emma, about their relationship, looking at different possibilities, and what he liked and didn't. By the time he left the shop he had narrowed his decision to two possible designs, both of which were perfect in their own way. Now he just needed to choose.
Killian smiled as he waved goodbye to Emma. She was on her way to work, and he was staying home on the guise of packing and getting ready to fly out. He should have said something else, because she immediately knew that wasn't right. But his mind was only focused on one thing. It of course hadn't been that long, not even twenty-four hours, but he knew that Emma could tell he was preoccupied all last night and this morning. More than once asking him what was wrong.
So, he knew while she was at work, he would have to finalize his decision. But he was no closer at two in the afternoon than he was that morning, or the night before. He needed help, and there was only one person he could turn to that couldn't easily spill the beans. He opened up an app on his phone, and seeing their side active, he sent the request for Skype.
Moments later: "Little Brother! Nice to hear from you."
Killian rolled his eyes. "Bloody...it's younger brother, and you…" He sighed. "I wasn't calling you anyway. Is Elsa there?"
That got a raised eyebrow from his brother, and he called over his shoulder. "Honey, Killian called to talk to you. Are you two having that affair again?"
Killian rolled his eyes, and then Elsa came into view patting her husband's shoulder. "Again, dear? It never stopped," she told him and laughed as she looked into the screen. "Killian, my love, what can I do for you?"
Killian shook his head at his brother and sister-in-law's antics. "While I would love to keep contributing to whatever type of game you're playing, I actually called because I need your advice, Elsa."
"Oh, I need to hear this," Liam stated, and propped his chin on his fist, clearly showing he was going nowhere and making Killian sigh.
Elsa was trying not to laugh at the both of them. Instead, she sat on her husbands knee so she could see Killian on the screen. "What's the problem?"
Killian, attached the two images from his phone, and took a breath. "I need your opinion, from a woman's point of view, of which one you like better." He took a breath, and sent the images. He could tell the minute they viewed them, because there was a small gasp and look of shock on both their faces.
It was Elsa that cracked first with an excited "YES!"
Liam's face turned into a slow smile, that got bigger by the second until he spoke. "'Bout time little brother."
"Oh my god, Killian!" Elsa was still screeching.
"So, I guess you both think it's a good idea." Killian chuckled; their contagious excitement was making him grin like an idiot as well.
"Yes!" They both said in unison, then Elsa finished, "When are you going to ask?!"
"Well, I have to pick a design first, and that's why I need your help. I can't do any asking until I have anything to ask with, now can I?"
That quited them both down, and they looked at each design. "They look great; no matter what you pick I'm sure she will like." Liam told him.
Elsa rolled her eyes. "Very helpful," she told her husband sarcastically. "But, I have to agree. I see why you are having a hard time. They are both beautiful, each representing Emma in their own way."
"Could the designer combine them?" Liam responded.
Elsa lightly slapped her husband's shoulder, "How would that even work? The first one, is structured with very intricate details. The other is delicate but graceful. I know Emma is both, but in this instance, that won't work." She turned to Killian. "I can't speak for Emma, and I won't tell you which one to choose. That's up to you. You need to decide which one you want to represent."
He gave a soft smile to Elsa. "Thank you. Actually, that was very helpful. I think I have it figured out."
Elsa clapped. "Which one is it?"
Killian shook his head with a mischievous smile. "You'll just have to wait and see." Elsa huffed and the two brothers laughed, but then Killian turned serious again. "Do you think she will say yes?"
They both stopped, their faces turning tender, sensing his anxiety, and Liam answered first, "Absolutely."
Then Elsa: "She'd be crazy not to."
The next day, in Loudon, New Hampshire, the group headed out for an early dinner after practice. Emma wasn't sure what had happened by the time she got home from work the day before, but Killian was back to himself. She still hadn't pieced together what was wrong in the first place, but she let it go and tucked into his side at the restaurant.
After everyone ordered their food, they turned to Ariel and Eric, who had all told everyone they weren't going to say anything until dinner. It was now dinner, and everyone had their eyes on them. Ariel laughed, and Eric grinned. "I think they want to know something," he said.
"I wonder what that could be?" Ariel asked trying to not crack up.
"Oh, for the love of god, tell us!" Ruby screamed, and everyone laughed.
The couple looked at each other and then at the same time, "It's a boy."
Cheers and screams came from the table, making everyone else in the restaurant look towards them as they all congratulated the couple. Ariel preempted Ruby, "No, we haven't decided on a name yet. And no...it will not be Ruby or any male derivative of it."
Ruby pouted and took a drink of her water as Victor tried to contain his smile and rubbed his girlfriend's shoulder. They continued talking about the baby until their food was brought out, and then the conversation turned to the next race. "So, are you really going to go back after Jefferson?" Victor asked Killian.
Killian nodded. "I won't do anything crazy, but he needs to be taught a lesson."
Sean sighed. "I agree with you man. But, I don't know if now is the time to prove that."
With a shrug, Killian continued, "Well, at least now, I'm locked into the next segment."
"Yeah, but no matter what happens, he'll still be around in the next segment whether he is in the Chase still or not. Do you really want him gunning for you?" Eric asked.
Emma looked down at her plate; that was her worry, among other things. Killian reached out and rubbed her back as he went on. "He's been gunning for me, actually all of us, every time he races. Honestly, by letting him know that I'm not backing down, I'm in some ways hoping he won't try some of the things he normally does."
Victor gave him a tight-lipped smile. "I wish you luck. I sure as hell wouldn't attempt it unless my chances for the championship were over."
Killian smiled at his friend. "Then now is your time to attempt it." At Victor's questioning look, he continued with a smirk. "Because you have no chance. I'm winning this year."
The other drivers groaned and threw their napkins at him, while the girls just laughed.
In the race on Sunday, Killian was true to his word once Jefferson caught up to him. With Killian having started in fourth and Jefferson in eighth, it took a quite a few laps before they were near each other. But once they were, the battle was on once again.
While Emma could tell Killian was still trying to win like he always did, his secondary focus was just on Jefferson, and if that meant the other drivers got around the two of them so he didn't back down from the crazy driver, than that was what he did.
Each of their cars had quite a bit of damage, though she was proud to see Jefferson had a bit more from scraping the wall and other drivers bumping and rubbing against him, too. She was sure that some of the debris that caused a couple cautions were in fact from the insane driver's car.
There were numerous lead changes during the race, since so many of the Chase drivers were vying for their first win. Jefferson was constantly attempting to get to first. But due to the fact that Killian was actively trying to keep the man behind him, the 71 was leading the race more often than not.
Emma wanted to laugh at that—who would think about winning would actually put him out front? She wasn't going to complain though, and from the look on Robin's face he wasn't either, though he was probably not happy with the fixes the car would need once the race was over.
With three laps to go, it seemed like all-out war amongst everyone. Victor and Phillip were taking the inside and gaining, while Killian tried to hold Jefferson behind him on the outside. August, Eric, and Sean were a not even a half second back and were desperate to catch up.
Two laps to go, Victor and Phillip were able to take the lead. Then on the last lap, coming out of the second turn, Jefferson nudged Killian enough to make him wobble and skim the wall, allowing the 12 to go around him. Luckily, Killian had the 71 back under control, only allowing Jefferson and August to get past him.
Though he tried valiantly to get back to the other cars, the damage to his car had taken its toll. Victor came in first, followed by Phillip. Jefferson managed to place third, quickly followed by August and then Killian in fifth.
As Emma approached pit lane, she could see the reporter practically salivating over asking questions about the rivalry. But it was the driver of the 12 that had Emma shouting over the crowd, "Killian, watch out!"
Killian turned just in time to avoid the punch that Jefferson swung. In the next instant all hell broke loose. Anton ushed Emma over the pit wall, as both teams seemed to merge. She climbed up on the wall attempting to get a good look and to see if Killian was okay.
She stood on the wall, and peered into the frenzy just in time to see Killian duck from another of the crazy driver's swings, while shouting something that she couldn't hear over the commotion. Luckily, Jefferson's own teammates seemed to be trying to hold him back, as Killian's were trying to pull their driver to safety. If both teams had given into the rage, it could have been much, much worse.
While cameras kept filming, NASCAR officials rushed onto the scene and tried to get in the middle and break up the altercation. Jefferson's team was finally able to get control over their driver and dragged their teammate away as the crew chief stayed to talk to officials. Robin patted his own driver's shoulder and went over to talk to the other crew chief and looked back, letting them know he would answer the officials as Killian's crew walked him back to the pit.
Emma jumped off the wall and rushed over to him. Killian attempted to give her a comforting smile but grimaced, and turned his head to the side as he spit some blood onto the pavement. Her eyes widened as she took in his appearance. He had a small cut to the side of his lip, and his cheek and jaw were already starting to bruise. He obviously hadn't missed every punch that Jefferson gave. His crew made way for her to come into the group, and she wrapped her arms around him. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly into his ear.
He squeezed her back, and then pulled back to look at her. "I'll be fine, love. I've had much worse."
Her fingers came up and hovered over his face. "You should go to the care center."
"No, I'll be fine. Let's just head back to the RV so I can clean up."
She sighed, but agreed. A few of the crew walked with them just to make sure no one tried anything, and once inside, she locked the door behind him and followed him into the bedroom. She then went to the bathroom for a wet towel and the first aid kit as he unzipped his firesuit, letting it hang down his body and sat down on the bed bare chested.
She came back out and sat next to him. "We'll need to get some ice on that after we clean you up." He nodded. Luckily, the split in his lip had already stopped bleeding, so she used the towel to clean it and his chin. "He must have got you when I was climbing onto the wall," she said absentmindedly as she moved onto putting the antiseptic on a cotton ball.
"He didn't get me; I allowed it."
Her eyes widened. "What?" Her task halted, waiting for an answer.
"I didn't lay a hand on him, but I allowed him to get one punch in." He motioned to the bruise on his face. "Now I have proof."
She smiled and shook her head. "Clever, clever. The officials will have to do something, right?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "We'll see. But since I didn't do anything and he did, I at least saved my hide." She brought the cotton ball to his lip and he sucked in a breath. "Bloody hell, love!"
She pulled the cotton back and blew on his lip taking the sting away, "Awhh, is that better?"
"I can think of something better," he said and tapped his lips with a suggestive grin. She laughed and leaned in giving him a kiss.
He hissed and she pulled back. "Did that hurt?"
"Yeah, but worth it. Wouldn't mind another."
"Oh, you wouldn't, huh?" she asked. "I guess I'll just have to kiss it and make it better." She leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth so as not to hurt him and he sighed into it. She then let her lips lightly ghost over the bruise forming on his jaw. He let out another satisfied sigh and placed his hand on her upper thigh. She smiled as she kissed his cheek and up to the corner of his eye, and then back to his ear. "Better?"
"I think you missed a few places." he breathed as his hand traveled up her leg and then dipping in between then, pressing at the seam of her jeans.
She groaned, "Oh, really? Where?"
"Lower, much lower." His voice was huskier and she swallowed hard at the intense look in his eyes.
"If that's the case, then I'll need to see the patient with much less on," she teased.
They both knew he should be taking a shower, changing, and getting ready for their flight out. But neither cared as he kicked off his suit, and she quickly undressed. With a small shove to his chest she pushed him back onto the bed and crawled over him. "So, tell me your symptoms?"
His grin radiated as his eyes darkened. "Quickening heartbeat," he said and closed his eyes as she kissed his chest over his heart. "Parched lips." She let her lips softly drag over his, not to hurt him. "Stiff limbs," he arched his eyebrow at her and she bit her lip, as her eyes traveled down his body, and true to his word, his erection was standing firm.
"I think that will need some care," she said with a smile.
"Most definitely," he agreed and then groaned as her hand grasped his hard flesh firmly. She started to move back down his body, but his hand reached out and took her free hand. "Doctor," he winked, "We only have so long for this...appointment. And I still very much have those parched lips, and also a...dry mouth." She raised her eyebrow, and he sighed, "Oh, bloody hell." Done with the role play, he continued, "Turn around, love."
She immediately got his intention and did as he asked, turning around and straddled his chest facing away from him. His hands came up to her hips and pulled her core back to his face, as her hands came back to his hard flesh. He groaned as his mouth delved into her wet folds, both from the sensation of her hands and at the taste of her.
Emma moaned as his tongue darted into her and then out to flick and swirl around her clit. How he expected her to concentrate on him when he did that, was beyond her, but she tried. She licked his leaking tip, and then sucked the head into her mouth, as his tongue delved back inside her. They both groaned and then from those vibrations both pressed their hips towards the sensation.
Both encouraged, they kept going, focusing on each others pleasure the best they could while still climbing the cliff to their own release. His one hand left her hip, and his fingers came into play, and plunged two inside of her, as his tongue focused on her clit. He wasn't sure what sound she made around his cock but whatever it was he felt to the base of his spine. She seemed to like his own sounds in response as well, each response ricocheting their pleasure between them, back and forther, higher and higher.
His fingers moved faster, curling, as she felt him approaching the edge. "Emma…" he warned, but she didn't heed it, and sucked him down hard, her throat taking him deeper, and he cried out his release, his body stilling for a second, and he pumped his release down her waiting throat as she swallowed around him.
The moment he was back to his senses, he dove back into her, his fingers thrusting, mouth sucking and swirling around her clit. Her mouth came off of him in a gasp, as her hips pressed back into his face. With another flick of his tongue and curl of his fingers she was screaming out his name and shuddering on top of him.
Once her inner muscles stopped clenching his fingers, he slowly withdrew and she slid to the side of the bed, resting her head on his thigh. He sucked the two fingers into his mouth, and then smiled at her, and her flushed cheeks, hard breathing, and he was pretty sure her heart was racing. "I guess it was contagious."
She started laughing and he joined in. She gave a light slap to his leg. "We should both take a shower, and get out of here. I'm sure Dusty is waiting at the airport for us." He agreed and followed her into the bathroom.
When Emma went back into work that week, the office was in tip-top shape. She congratulated her staff and the volunteers for doing such a good job. Everything was where it should be and the place looked fabulous. Killian didn't accompany her that morning, saying he had business that he had to take care of, but that he would see her at lunch.
She then had a meeting with the staff to go over all the plans for next week's celebration. "We are getting in pictures of each of the other shelter's staff and kids with the checks from all the other locations." Mulan told everyone. "We have the local charities who will receive a check coming to the function so that we can present the checks live to them."
Will then chimed in, "I also have local and Killian's own national sponsors coming in for the opening as well. They will be presenting the charity with their own checks."
Emma smiled. "Perfect." She turned to Merida. "And the party?"
"Catering, DJ, tables, chairs and the like are taken care of. We also have some face painters and balloon artists coming for the kids," the redhead replied. "The weather so far looks good, so that we can have everything but the office tour outside."
"Let's hope it stays that way." She looked to Belle. "Volunteers?"
"We are pretty well staffed up. They have been making phone calls, stuffing envelopes, anything that we need to have done. They are really looking forward to the party as well."
"I think we all are. I know Killian really is." With that, they continued to talk business and made sure everything else was ready for the following week.
They arrived in Dover on Thursday night, and as her new normal, she met with shelters in the area once again while Killian practiced, followed on Saturday by time with sponsors, though she was getting better, and had Will try to schedule the time around qualifying. That way she could sit with her friends, make girl talk, and they could watch their significant others on the track.
Before qualifying happened, NASCAR issued penalties from the prior race. Killian and his crew did not garner a penalty, and neither did the 12's crew. Jefferson, however, received a hundred thousand dollar fine and was docked the twelve chase points for his prior wins in the season. While it was more than they had prior, the penalty was still minor, and the ladies just rolled their eyes.
"They just want the rivalry to keep the fans tuning in," Ruby grumbled. None of the women were happy that Jefferson was basically getting away with it. Not only for Killian, but also because he was a danger to their own drivers.
Ariel rubbed her stomach that was now just really starting to show. "I just hope no one gets hurt just because they want ratings." They all agreed and finished watching qualifying. Before they broke away to head back to their own RVs, Emma confirmed with each of them that they would be stopping by the grand opening.
Sean had won the poll, Victor came in second, and Killian was starting in sixth after qualifying. Jefferson didn't have a good qualifying; Emma was pretty sure the announcement of the penalty weighed on the driver and he was starting back in fifteenth. Due to the 12's starting position, Emma was able to breath easier for the first half of the race. Killian had made his way up to the front, running most of it to that point in second behind Victor. She swore she could make out childlike smiles on their faces as they danced around each other. She knew her brain was making it up, but the laughter over the comlink, and the minor cussing from Killian pretty much confirmed her suspicion.
This race actually had a couple green-flag pit stops, and only a few cautions due to a few over-zealous Chase drivers and blown tires. Emma was a bit shocked that none of the cautions were caused by Jefferson; in fact, the normally crazy driver was rather subdued. Emma was trying not to get her hopes up that maybe, just maybe he had learned his lesson.
That hope was dashed when he seemed to come back to himself with fifteen laps to go. He tried to gain position and cut down on August too early. The drive hadn't seen him coming, and neither did his spotter, because he hit Jefferson's back bumper and both cars started to turn towards the wall. Jefferson skidded across it and August just missed it, but trying to keep the car steady and not hit anything lost him about five places as the 12 continued to move up the track.
Emma and Robin shared a look and he told his driver to be on lookout. Jefferson was only three places back and closing. Thankfully, due to a caution coming out for a lapped car's blown tire, he wasn't able to catch up. All the cars came down pit lane for fuel and two tires, and they pretty much started in the same position they came in with five laps to go.
While Jefferson kept pace, and was eagerly trying to get to the front, his car wasn't as fast as the other leaders' cars. Sean's car seemed to be calibrated perfectly for the end of race, and he was able to get across the line first, followed by Eric, with Killian on his heels and then Victor. Jefferson finished the race in sixth. Emma couldn't tell if his late-race behavior changed helped or hindered his performance.
She got to Killian in the pits before the reporters did. She went to her toes and gave a soft kiss to the now-yellowish bruise on his jaw. "Was it nice not to have to deal with him today?"
Killian immediately knew who the 'he' was. "I must admit, it was much more fun and relaxing." She giggled and he pulled her in for a kiss. "Now it's on to round two of the chase." He could feel the win in his grasp, but if he had his say, it wasn't the only thing he wanted to win before the end of the season. He smiled down at her, brought her hand to his lips, and kissed the back of it. "Let's go home."
Point Standings:
Car - Driver - Points - *=leading ^= Win in round
(These are now 'The Chase' points system)
#71 - Killian Jones - 2151^*
#8 - Phillip Haven - 2131
#36 - Victor Whale - 2144^
#53 - Sean Herman - 2134^
#65 - Eric Sirena - 2132
#92 - August Booth - 2117
#12 - Tarrant Jefferson - 2136