After making another excuse as to why he wasn't going to be at the charity again that day, Killian knew that Emma was starting to wonder what was going on. She gave him an inquiring look, and he gave her a smile, kissed her forehead, and just told her, "You don't need me there anyways, love. You have it all handled. But, if you need me for any reason, you know I'll be right there."
She gave him a smile, and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I know." She went to her tiptoes and gave him a kiss. "Love you, I'll see you later." She then pulled away to grab her stuff for work.
"And I you, Emma. How does steak sound tonight?" he inquired.
She turned around, one hand leaning on the wall for balance as she put on her heels. "Good. Want to use the grill as much as you can before the weather changes, don't you?" He nodded; it was late October, and it may be North Carolina, but it was already getting chilly—well, mid sixties, but that was chilly for them. He walked up to her, and once she was ready to head out the door, she kissed his cheek. "I don't foresee myself working late, so I'll be home at the regular time."
"See you later, love. Have a good day." He watched her leave and then shut the door behind him. He quickly returned to the bedroom and got dressed, and filled his Hook travel mug with coffee, and was out the door on his way to Charlotte.
He didn't care that he could have left later and not had to deal with commuters or as much traffic. He had already waited for Emma to go back to work; he couldn't wait one more minute. He arrived to the shop just as the owner turned over the sign from closed to open.
With the ringing of the store's bell indicating the door opening, the older gentleman smiled as he saw Killian come in. "Good morning. Let me go get your purchase, and I'll be right back." He retreated into the back room, and Killian looked at the display cases while he waited. His head immediately popped back up at hearing the man enter the room again. "And here it is," he said as he held out the small velvet box, similar to the one Emma's earrings were in.
He was struck speechless as he looked inside for a minute, emotions running through him. This was it. He reached out and plucked the ring from the box and looked it over intently, the smile grew on his face. "It's perfect."
The man grinned in return, glad that is customer was happy with his work. "Since you already made the payment for it, it is yours to take with you."
He reached for a bag, but Killian waved him away. "I'll take it just like this." He put the ring back in the box and closed the lid. "Thank you."
The man nodded. "Good luck."
Killian smiled again, gave a nod to the man, and made his way home. He hid the box in a place he was pretty sure Emma would never look, and then started pacing. The only question he had left to answer was when was he going to actually pop the question. He thought she was to the point now in their relationship that she would feel comfortable saying yes. Their conversation over her gift during her birthday seemed to confirm that. But with the race season almost at an end, should he do it now with everything going on, or should he wait till the pressure was off, and be able to take her somewhere romantic? Him winning the championship had nothing to do with if he was going to ask her to marry him. If he waited, would she think it did? Ugh...he needed help; someone else to talk this through with.
He waited long enough to ensure they would be home, and sent out the Skype request. This time it was Elsa that answered, "Hello, Killian!" She answered cheerfully.
"Hello, Elsa. Is Liam home yet?"
She have him a playful pout. "So you didn't want to talk to me?"
"I actually wanted to talk to both of you." he admitted.
She nodded and called over her shoulder for her husband, he came up to the screen moments later. "Killian, nice to see you. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Killian could already hear the teasing in his brother's voice, "I need someone to talk over the plans for…" he took a breath, "the proposal." He then cringed at Elsa's shrieking.
Liam rung his ear with his finger. "Be glad you only heard that through the computer." He looked at his wife. "I think I'm deaf in this ear now."
She just rolled her eyes at her husband and turned back to Killian, and then rubbed her hands together. "Go on!"
He told them about picking up the ring, and what happened on Emma's birthday. He explained that he was trying to decide whether to do the proposal soon, or wait until after the race season was over. But he also told them of his worry with waiting. "See, I don't want her to think that I waited until after I won or…" he cringed at the possibility, "didn't win to ask her."
Elsa shook her head at that. "I don't think that will be a problem. You've had the ring being designed for ages. If, and that's a big if, she is worried about that, you can show her the dates you had the designs made. I'm sure the jeweler could tell her when you picked the ring up."
Liam nodded. "We could tell when you talked to us about it. And didn't you say that you already talked to David about it?"
Killian nodded; they had a point. "That is all true."
Elsa tilted her head. "But you're still hesitant about something. What is the real conundrum for you?"
He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Part of me wants to take her someplace really nice, really special, and I can't do that with the racing going on. The other part of me is just selfish and wants to ask her right now!" He shook his head, "But there is also a part of me that's worried she'll say no. That she's not ready." He looked down at the last admission.
"Brother, you just told us she looked disappointed it wasn't a ring on her birthday."
He agreed with Liam. "True, but the shocked look on her face when for a moment she thought it was...I haven't been able to tell if that was good or bad shock."
Elsa gave him a soft smile. "I think you are worrying yourself over nothing. When your brother proposed to me, I had no idea he was going to ask me. Had we talked about it? Yes. Was I ready for it? Yes. But...in that moment, there is a lot of emotion. No matter how much you want to say yes, there is still a bit of fear. It's a lifetime commitment and change. It's never to be taken lightly."
Killian swallowed hard. "Not helping."
She laughed. "All I'm trying to say, is you can't let one initial reaction of shock make you fear something you both have talked about, and both want."
"What she said." Liam nodded, while Killian and Elsa rolled their eyes at him.
She continued. "Okay...so you are caught between wanting to ask sooner than later but also wanting to make it special. I know this may seem obvious, but can't you do both?" With the confused look on the brothers faces, she sighed. "Isn't there a nice place either at home or on the road where you could ask?"
Killian stopped and thought about her question. Someplace he could take her without letting her onto the plan. Dinner at their first date restaurant was too casual, but dinner at the fondue place was too formal and she would know something was up. He was taking the yacht into the marina for storage the week after next. The lake would be very quiet, private and she wouldn't have a clue. He smiled back at the two of them on the screen. "I knew you would help."
"We are always here for you little brother," Liam said with a smile.
"I was talking to Elsa," he glared at Liam, "And it's younger brother!" Elsa just laughed at the two of them. They said their goodbyes, and Killian sat there with a grin. He now had a plan.
The girls sat in Ariel's trailer with the TV on to qualifying while they chatted at the Martinsville track. It was too loud at the small track for them to sit outside and still hold a conversation. "It's just weird," Emma told them in relation to Killian making up excuses for not heading into the charity.
"Maybe he just likes being home," Ashley commented and Ariel pointed at her in agreement with a head nod as she rubbed her ever growing belly.
Emma tilted her head. "Maybe. I just feel…"
"You can't be thinking there is anything wrong, can you?" Ruby asked.
Emma shook her head. "No. I'm not getting that reading at all. He's definitely not telling me something, and he is for sure lying in part. It's not in a bad way…" She huffed at herself. "I'm not explaining this right."
"Maybe he just likes not having to go into the charity, because you have it handled. But he doesn't want to tell you that and make you feel bad," Ariel suggested and then took a sip of her water. "I mean, you have to remember. Before he started up the charity, his week days between races were his own."
Ruby agreed. "Yep, except for the team meetings or test drives."
Emma sighed; that could be it. "He does like to putter around the house." They all laughed at that but agreed she was right. "And who am I to complain that I come home to a home cooked meal?" With that she earned a groan from the other women, a pillow thrown at her, and a few choice words.
Victor was on the pole, with August in second, Phillip in third, and Killian starting fourth. To Emma's chigrin, Jefferson, who was out of the chase, was still starting in eleventh. Though in all honesty, it didn't much matter. Due to the small size of the track, most of the leaders would be weaving in and around most of the the further back drivers anyway. Those lap-down drivers were always a challenge and threw a wildcard into the race; well another one besides Jefferson, anyways.
Victor took the lead quickly, especially when August spun his tires. Unfortunately, it also held up Killian, as Phillip quickly took second and Eric third. Though as soon as he could after the starting line, Killian quickly changed lanes to the bottom, and August followed.
Just like most short tracks, there was quite a bit of rubbing, which was probably intensified by those still left in the chase and eager to get to the front, all looking for their win. After this next set of races, only four would go on, and the fastest and most direct way in was a win. But with rubbing also comes debris, and with debris comes cautions due to it on the track or it creating blown tires.
The lead kept switching at every caution, though Victor was doing his damndest to stay there. Killian had caught the lead a few times, but unlucky timing in cautions was taking it away. Fortunately, his car was doing well and he was able to drive back to the lead or close to it every time, and didn't allow Jefferson a chance to get close to him.
By the last lap, it was still anyone's race, Especially as the lead cars moved in and out of the lapped cars. It was those lapped cars that in the end slowed down Victor and Killian enough for Sean to get by them for the win, with Victor and then Killian right after him.
Robin and Emma gave each other a small smile, but she knew that a third-place finish wasn't a win, and was preparing herself for whatever anxiety-filled Killian she might find at pit lane. But she got a bit of a shock when she saw him laughing with the reporter. She watched his interview and was trying to understand his good humor. She was extremely glad for it, but it was curious.
Once the reporter was done, he pulled her in for his customary kiss, and gave her a smile. "Ready to go home, beautiful?"
She agreed, and they started to walk, but her curiosity got the better of her. "Are you really okay?"
He stopped and gave her a questioning look, "Why wouldn't I be?"
She didn't want to make him worry if he wasn't. So she shook her head, "No reason. I'm glad."
He caught on quick, "Ahhh, I see. Did the ladies tell you I was going to be all worried?"
"The girls, Robin, the team, the television, the…" she trailed off.
He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it. "I still have two more races. There are three more places to fill, and if you don't count Sean who got the first seat, then I'm second in the points. Did I want to win this one? Yes. Abso-bloody-lutely. But if I focus on the fact that I didn't win, it won't help me win the next one."
She smiled at that. "Positive attitude. I like it." He grinned back, and then they started walking back to the RV to get ready to head home. Besides, he told himself, even if he lost the chase, he still had Emma. They still had a future together, and that was most important anyway.
The next night, they were invited over for dinner by Mary Margaret. She told Emma that if she didn't have some grown-ups to talk to besides David, she was going to murder someone. It took a lot of effort for Emma not to laugh at the comment. She could tell by the tone of her sister-in-law's voice that she meant it. Maternity leave, while being nice to be able to stay home and bond with her baby, was not Mary Margaret's style—she liked to stay busy. Thus Emma readily agreed, and asked if they could bring anything.
Even though they were told they didn't need to bring anything, Killian still opted to bring flowers. They had agreed bringing wine, something that Mary Margaret still couldn't drink, was not a wise option, and the new mom might like some fresh blooms.
When the door opened, she couldn't help but smile at the relief on her brother's face. He hugged her tight and whispered in her ear. "Please talk to my wife," he pleaded.
She squeezed him back. "I'm on it," she whispered back.
She took the bouquet with her and greeted her friend with a hug, and Mary Margaret whisper-screamed in excitement, and then held her finger to her lips and motioned to the cradle. "I just got him to sleep like fifteen minutes ago. He was having fits all day."
"Well, Aunt Emma is here, so if he wakes up, I'll take care of him." Emma said grinning at the sleeping infant. "Oh, these are for you."
The woman's smile somehow got bigger, and she smelled the bouquet and went to find a vase to put them in. "Thank you, Killian."
Emma looked back and forth between her boyfriend and her friend. "I handed them to you."
As Mary Margaret poured water in the vase, she replied, "And who made the suggestion and picked them out?"
Killian scratched behind his ear, and Emma's mouth opened and closed. "How did you...you know what...nevermind." She shook the thought away. "Well, can I help you with anything? Or do you want Killian in the kitchen, too?"
Her friend rolled her eyes and grabbed her hand. "Oh, Emma. I want you here; we need to catch up." She stirred a pan on the stove. "Besides, everything is almost done; you shouldn't need to do anything."
She looked to Killian for help, but he was avidly avoiding her gaze, and she sighed. "So…" she started and finally found a question she could ask to strike up a conversation.
David just shook his head, as the two men walked over to look over Leo. "Beautiful family you have, mate."
David nodded. "Thanks. About that...when will you…" He motioned to Emma.
Killian took a quick look at the ladies, making sure they weren't listening, and then turned back to Dave. "If all goes according to plan, this time next week."
David clapped him on the back, his smile growing. Then he tilted his head to look at Leo. "And what about one of these?"
Killian laughed. "Jumping the gun a bit, aren't you?" But when all he got was a serious look back, he continued with a sigh. "That's up to Emma. I'd be happy starting right away, or waiting a couple years. Whatever she wants."
"Good answer," David told him as they both then went to set the table.
The meal was over, and they were all lounging around talking. Leo had woken up hungry, and Emma asked if she could feed him. Now she sat on the couch, holding her nephew while giving him his bottle. Killian sat next her, and didn't even bother trying to stop the grin that was on his face. This future with Emma was so close he could almost taste it; the week could not happen fast enough in his opinion.
The next thing either of them knew there was a flash and they both looked up to Mary Margaret holding her camera. "I couldn't help it. You three just look so cute together. I'll email you the picture later Emma."
As she went to put the camera down, David chuckled. "She keeps the camera close by her at all times. I have so many pictures texted to me while I'm at work. Not that I'm complaining," he said quickly at a look from his wife.
"I just want to document everything. I got his first smile...okay maybe his second. I couldn't grab the camera or my phone fast enough. I can't believe he'll be almost two months; time flies and I want to remember it all."
Emma held Leo closer, and leaned down to smell his little head. That baby smell that just makes ovaries flip was very present. She also didn't miss the way Killian's eyes were constantly lit up while he watched her hold the baby either. They had of course talked about kids; it was for sure on the table. But talking about wanting them and seeing the look on his face were two different things. And that look made her heart ache with want.
Her birthday, and his quick denial that it was a ring in the velvet box, told her an engagement wasn't anytime soon. Which at first she had to admit stung, but she understood it. He was very busy with the race season, and she was really busy with the new charity. They hadn't even been together a full year yet. But moments like this made her wish that future was sooner than later. She looked towards Killian. "Bottle's just about done; want to burp him?"
"Oh, giving me the dirty job, huh?" He stopped himself from teasing if that would be the way it was when they had one. It was getting harder and harder not to give anything away. But with her smile and nod, he agreed. "Sure."
He took the burp cloth and put it over his shoulder, and then carefully she gave him the baby. This wasn't the first time he had done this of course, he had a bit of practice with his nephews here and there so he knew what to do. Elsa was a great teacher. He put the lad to his chest, and soothingly patted the babe's back. He got another flash in his eyes as he looked to the culprit.
Emma whined, "I thought you put that thing away?"
Mary Margaret grinned. "I put it to the side, but I can easily grab it. And look," she said motioning to Killian and the baby. "That's just precious."
Emma had to admit the sight was just that. Ugh, she didn't need this pulling on her heartstrings. She leaned over to get a better look, and Killian looked back at her. "You're so good with him."
"Practice," he told her. "I remember when my own nephews were this small." With another small pat to the lad's back, the baby let out a large burp. "There you go, lad." He said with a chuckle.
"Thank you, Killian," Mary Margaret told him as she then scooped up the little one to lay him back down and took the burp cloth as well.
"You are both hired for babysitting duty," David told the both of them.
The two looked at each other, and Emma shrugged her shoulders at Killian. "Well, mate. Once this season is over, I wouldn't mind here and there."
"Really?" Mary Margaret said looking up quickly from the crib. "You wouldn't mind?"
Emma bit her lip to contain the smile at the eagerness of her friend. Killian winked at Emma and continued, "Not at all."
The new parents looked extremely happy with the prospect of a bit of alone time in the near future. Emma did not want to think about why. With a yawn from the new mother, they all decided to call it a night. They said their goodbyes and were out the door and on their way home.
Once they got home, Emma headed to the bedroom to change. She stripped off her top and turned to throw it in the hamper and almost jumped seeing Killian there, leaning in the door frame. "What are you doing?"
He smiled at her, pushed off from the wall and sauntered over. "This." Was all he said as he pulled her in for a kiss, claiming her lips with his own.
She responded by going to her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled back slightly, "What's all this for?" She knew it didn't take much to set him down this route, but because they had just gotten back from being with a small infant and her family, it made her curious.
His hands pushed the hair back behind her ears. "Have I told you lately, just how beautiful, wonderful, brilliant, and amazing your are?" He leaned in and kissed the corners of the smile blooming on her lips. "Or how much I am absolutely, completely, utterly in love with you?"
She didn't know what to say at his heartfelt statement, or the completely honest truth of it in his eyes, so she kissed him back, threading her fingers in his hair. Only to pull away slightly, to tell him, "I love you," and then her lips were back on his.
He lifted her, and her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist as he backed out of the closet and turned towards the bed. He laid her down, and then pulled her legs from him. He quickly divested her of her shoes and jeans. She didn't lay idle and removed her bra, and threw it at him. He raised an eyebrow at her. "Eager are we?"
Her hands were at the waist of her underwear, and already lifting her hips to push them off as she responded, "Get undressed. Now."
"Aye, aye, love," he told her and quickly, his shirt was over his head as he kicked off his shoes and then pulled down his pants and boxers in one go. "Quick enough?"
She pulled herself into the middle of the bed, licked her lips at the sight, and curled her finger at him. "Get over here."
He crawled up onto the bed. His lips left kisses on her ankle, calf, thigh, hip bones, sternum, and then captured her lips in a deep kiss as he hovered over her. His one hand traveled down her side lightly, almost like a tickle, and she giggled. "So beautiful…" his hand cupped her breast and gave a light squeeze. "And all mine."
She moaned and arched her back into the touch, wanting more. "All yours," she told him while her hands went up to his chest and her fingernails dragged through his chest hair. He closed his eyes to savor the feel, and then with a small push to his chest he took the cue and fell to his back. She settled over him, her bottom resting against his quickly hardening length. He groaned as she pressed against it. "Mine," she said as she leaned down and pressed her front to his, her breasts dragging against his chest hair.
Killian moaned, and his hips pressed up against her. "All yours, Emma." His hands tangled in the hair at the back of her head and pulled her down for a kiss. Their mouths were open, tongues tangling together, tasting one another, as their hips ground together. His now very hard length found its way through her wet folds, and glided over her clit. The feel made them both groan and grind against one another.
She broke the kiss and started to nip and lick down his neck and collarbone, as her fingertips played in the hair at his chest and then moved lower to his abs making the muscles their contract under her touch. Her mouth started to follow the line of hair down his stomach, but his hands reached out for her and pulled her up into his lap as he sat up. His knees bent behind her, and his head lowered to her breasts. His tongue licked around her nipple and then sucked it into his mouth as his other hand squeezed the opposite, this thumb strummed the other tight peak.
Emma tilted her head back, pressing her chest to his mouth as her hands came up to the back of his head to thread her fingers in his hair. Her hips pressed against his cock resting between them, pressing against her stomach, making her core ache with need. "Killian…"
His lips detached from her and his other hand took its place, as his mouth found hers, "Patience," he requested breathlessly. The feel of her against him, all wet and warm, was torture to him, too, but it also felt so good to have her like this in his arms, needy against him. His lips went to the other breast as his hand went between them, opening her folds just right that his length pressed against her core and swollen clit as her hips moved and pressed together. He moaned at the next press of their hips as his mouth sucked hard on her nipple, producing even more delicious sounds from her throat.
His hand then moved to her hip, guiding her movements. She leaned back against his knees as her hips moved, sliding her core over his length. Her core was beyond needy, aching for something to fill her, to clutch onto as the sensations they were producing drove her further and further to the edge.
With another hard press of her hips, Killian's own jumped. His mouth left her and he cussed, "Fuck." They were both desperate now, and his other hand came to her hip, and she went up on her knees. One of her hands left his hair to move between them, and grasp his now-slick, hard flesh and poised him at her opening. His hands gripped her hips tight and pulled her down onto him slowly, much slower than she had planned. Her head fell from the feel of him slowly filling her, her legs twitching at the pleasure. He gritted his teeth as he forced himself to take her slow, but there was nothing like dragging out the exquisite feel of pressing into her, the feel of her body opening for him, taking him, making her all his.
Then with the final push, he was fully seated inside of herl; she could take no more, he could give no more, and his hands held her there as his mouth caught hers in another kiss that she eagerly returned. He flexed his hips and she broke the kiss on a gasp; he did it again, and her eyes closed in pleasure and her head tilted back, as his lips found her neck while her core fluttered around him. He moved his head down and nuzzled his face between her breasts as he just basked in the feel of them completely joined as one.
Her core fluttered again and her legs quivered as she pleaded, "Killian…" He knew exactly what she was asking; it was what both their bodies craved: movement. Even though he wanted to stay like this, his body's craving won. His hands moved out to the sides of her hips and he pushed her up a little and then pulled her back down. Emma gasped and he pressed his face back to her chest and nipped at the side of her breast.
He pressed her up a little further and then back down faster, and this time her hips and legs worked with him. "Fuck, yes…" He groaned as her hips tilted just right on the way back down onto him. They worked in tandem, moving further out and then faster back in. The pace became quicker, faster on each push off and plunge back down. Emma's hands traveled to his shoulders for leverage, as her legs started to betray her, her body too close to the edge. "That's it...take what you need...just...like...that," he groaned into her chest.
She continued to bob up and down on him, her pelvis grinding against his on every descent, sendings sparks of pleasure from her clit to her already-shivering core. She was so close, her oblivion was right in front of her. When his hand snaked between them and pressed against her clit, moving in that way he knew she craved, it was like the spark to the fuse, setting off a chain reaction. He legs tensed, her back arched, toes curled, and her inner muscles contracted hard as she screamed out his name in pleasure.
He growled into her chest at the feel of her body tightening around him. His arms came up and pulled her tight to him as he laid back on the bed, bringing her with him. With his legs still bent, his hips began to thrust up into her quivering core. The sensation dragged out her pleasure as he searched for his. With a couple more hard thrust he was there, and his body held her tightly to him as he joined her in bliss.
They laid there, still entwined with her on his chest, while their breathing and heart rates returned to normal. Neither of them ready to move. She placed a soft kiss to his chest, and his arms held her tighter as he placed a kiss to her head. His fingers then started to run through her hair, and down her back as her found his voice. "The boat has to go back to drydock soon. Was thinking that next week, we could take her out on one more trip for the year then take her over to the Marina. What do you think?" He hoped his voice sounded more casual that how he actually felt about the question.
She smiled against him. "I think that sounds great." She looked up at him, resting her chin on his chest. "You sure you'll have time with everything going on?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Monday should be good. I have to take the boat in anyway, so might as well make the best of it." He tried to play it off the best he could.
"Okay then. As long as it's not a problem, sounds like fun."
He hugged her closer. "It's a date then." Now he just had to get through the week.
Killian was doing everything he could for the win, that was for sure. He had won the poll at Texas and was starting in first. August was starting second, with Victor in third. Jefferson had qualified in seventh, and that had Emma nervous; she had been hoping he would be much further back in the pack this time. Since it was a larger track than the prior race it meant that the lead cars wouldn't have to wade through a ton of lapped car. But her wish had not been granted.
When the green flag rose, Killian was off like a shot, keeping the lead and starting to make a sizeable gap. He was able to keep that lead in almost all the restarts after cautions due to blown tires, a small wreck back in the pack, and debris. And even the two that he wasn't able to keep, he was able to work his way back to the lead. His team had given him an excellently tuned car, and time and again gave him some of the fastest pit stops of any of the drivers.
The part that worried her—and Robin, too, she could tell—was that Jefferson was also making his way up. With less than five laps to go, he had made his way up to third place. Killian was in the lead with Victor right behind him, but now Jefferson was less than a half second back. Sean, Eric, Phillip, and August were in a small pack not far from his tail, and all of them were trying to catch up and get their own win as well.
Each lap, the 12 car was gaining speed, and Robin finally had to warn his driver, "Just keep it going, get it home. But he's coming. He almost on Victor's tail, and Victor is right on yours."
It was the last lap that had Emma on her feet. The 12 had caught up and was working his way around Victor. Her stomach told her he was gunning for Killian, and she could barely breathe. Killian was listening to his spotter and trying to evade the approaching car . It was into the fourth turn when all hell broke loose. It looked like the 12 aimed for the 71 and there was nowhere for Killian to go as the two cars smashed into the wall. The rest of the cars tried to avoid it. Victor went low getting around, but as the 12 and the 71 ricocheted back down the track, they collected Phillip and Eric. August went high and narrowly avoided the crash. Other cars tried to get out of the way, but ended up pulling in front of others, causing an even bigger crash that wrecked most of the other cars that had been in the top ten. All this had happened in seconds.
The caution light came out and the race was called, but at that moment, Emma, Robin, and most of the other pits didn't care as they watched the wrecked cars all finally come to a stop on the track. "Mate?" Robin asked, the worry evident in his voice.
There was a sharp intake of air, and then finally, "I'm okay," Killian radioed back, and Emma sat down quickly as she felt her legs want to give out in relief. "That bloody idiot!" he roared.
"We'll deal with him later. Lower your net, and let's get you to the carecenter," Robin told his driver, as he gave Emma a relieved smile.
She watched as his net lowered, and then when officials and medics came over, he got out of the car. She took a deep breath and allowed herself to calm down when she saw him get out of the car without help and walk to the back of one of the ambulances.
However, when Jefferson walked to that one as well, she could see Killian start yelling at the man, and then officials were holding them both back from each other. The ones holding Killian put he and Eric into one of the ambulances and told the driver to go, and then they put Jefferson into another. Emma didn't wait any longer and was off the pit box and running towards the care center. She had to wait while the doctors checked him over. But soon, he was cleared and she was allowed back. She hugged him tight, and then looked at him. "Are you okay?"
"Physically? I'm fine. I might be a tad sore tomorrow, but other than that, fine, love." He didn't even have to continue for how he felt emotionally. Once ready, they headed out to find reporters waiting. He answered their questions, but the entire time, his jaw was ticking, and he was asking the NASCAR officials to stop Jefferson from racing. Once he was done, they walked back to the garage to find Robin.
It wasn't till then that Emma noticed that based on the timing of the caution and thus the end of the race on the last lap, Victor was the winner, and August and placed second. Other than the two of them, the rest of the chase drivers had been in the wreck, and Killian placed tenth. She didn't know what that meant for him continuing into the chase, but right now, that wasn't her main concern. They headed over to Robin, and the man nodded once he saw them. "News?" Killian asked.
"First, I'm glad you're okay." Robin told him, but Killian just made the gesture to just keep going. "I've talked to officials, and they said there will be a full investigation, blah blah blah. They want to see you at headquarters tomorrow for questions."
Emma didn't understand why, but that statement seemed to make Killian even more angry, "I'm going to kill him. How dare—"
Robin placed his hands on his friend's shoulders. "You need to calm down."
"Calm? Calm? He just probably ruined the chance I had in the chase, and he ruined," He quickly took a glance at Emma and then stopped himself as he turned back to his crew chief. "That man needs to be out of racing. If he's in the next race, and I'm out because of him…"
He didn't need to finish the sentence because Emma and Robin both knew exactly what he was going to say. Robin cut him off. "You still have the ability to make it. Regina and I have run the numbers. You have to get second or of course a win."
"Is that all?" he asked and rolled his eyes.
Emma came up. "Hey, where was the positive attitude?"
"It left when that maniac ran me into the wall!" he snapped and then closed his eyes in regret, "I'm sorry, love. I'm just...I'm sorry." He opened his eyes and gave her an apologetic smile.
"It's okay." She hugged him, he wrapped his arms around her, and hugged her back tight.
"Well, your chances are better than others. The only option a few of them have is to win." Robin told him.
He shook his head. "That doesn't make me feel that much better." He sighed again, and then looked down at Emma. "Let's get home. Sounds like I have an early and long day tomorrow with officials." She nodded in agreement and they headed back to the RV. The worst thing was that he couldn't even tell them what he was most angry about. The plans he had in the works for tomorrow were dashed. They wouldn't be able to head out on the lake, and thus he wouldn't be able to propose. Honestly, the whole week was probably shot to even attempt it.
He could be called into questioning at any time, Emma had work, and they had to make plans for the next race. The tension and stress this week did not make the situation ideal. He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. He would just have to get through this week, and then figure out another plan.
Killian went into the NASCAR headquarters as planned Monday morning. The line of questioning was pretty direct and to the point. He also saw Victor, Sean, and Eric there, as well. Even though Victor wasn't in the wreck, he had a really good vantage point of exactly what happened.
His friends were all in agreement with him: that act was intentional—there was no other way to look at it. No matter what angle they viewed the incident on the video screens, it still said the same thing: Jefferson deliberately crashed Killian into the wall, and without a care to any of the other drivers' safety as well. The drivers were calling for the man to be kicked out of NASCAR.
Killian wanted to believe that they would do it this time—the evidence was too strong, and it involved too many of the chase contenders not to. But he worried that they would still allow him to race anyway like they had each time before. He arrived home with pizza and wanted to laugh at how differently this day went than what it should have, especially when Emma came over and plopped beside him on the couch, and curled into his side. "That bad?" she asked.
He rubbed at his eyes, "Just a long day. I would have much rather been here with you." His eyes gazed out at the yacht and sighed.
"We could take the boat in tomorrow like we had planned today," she offered.
He sighed and shook his head. "They want me back in the morning for possible additional questions, and then afterwards, Regina wants a team meeting to go over our approach for the next race."
"What about Wednesday? I could take the day off…" she offered and he reached out and took her hand and kissed the back of it.
"Car test since my favorite is, well, wrecked." He grimaced. "Then on Thursday, we fly out. It's scheduled to be in dry dock by the end of the week. I've already called someone to pick it up tomorrow." He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head, and allowed himself a moment just to breath her in and help relax him. "How about we just watch a movie, eat pizza, and forget about all this for a little while?"
She gave him a soft smile. "That sounds great."
He tried to do just that, only his brain kept trying to think of a contingency plan because he didn't have the ability to wait much longer to ask her. All he knew is he wanted this next race over. The determination of what would happen to Jefferson over. The rankings of whether he would be in the chase still or not over. He couldn't have all that hanging over his head. Because when he did ask her, that was all he wanted to think about and fully enjoy the moment.
It was Thursday morning, before they flew out to Phoenix, when the news came in. He had gone in with her to the charity that day to try and take his mind off everything. It had helped somewhat. They were in a meeting when his phone started buzzing in his pocket. He ignored it and let it go to voicemail, but when the phone started buzzing again, he finally pulled it out of his pocket. He went to leave the meeting, but Emma shook her head. "Answer it. We can wait."
He answered the phone and then had to stop his crew chief. "Whoah, slow down, mate. What?" He started to smile. "Wait, Robin, can I put you on speakerphone?" A moment later, with his friend's agreeance, Killian placed his phone on the table and told the man, "Okay, Emma and the charity staff are here; can you start over?"
Robin chuckled, and Killian's smile kept getting bigger as he sat back and watched Emma take in the news. "NASCAR has given a preliminary ruling. Jefferson is suspended for the remaining races of the year. He is fined two hundred thousand dollars. Fines for the team and crew chief have not been issued yet, pending future findings. Also, they are still looking into this crash and the prior ones, and are talking with Jefferson's legal counsel, but there is the likelihood that he could be suspended for a number of races next year, if not all of them or indefinitely."
Everyone around the table whooped and hollered while Emma ran around the desk as Killian stood, and she hugged him tight. Joy was evident on hers as well as everyone's faces.
"Just thought you might want to know," Robin said over the line.
"That's a huge relief right there. Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow." Killian told him and then he hung up the phone, and put it in his pocket. He then looked down at Emma.
She smiled back up at him. "Thank God!" He didn't even hesitate and leaned down to kiss her. The staff was already used to their public displays of affection, and all grinned at each other about the good news and their bosses' happiness.
In Phoenix, to say everyone was tense was an understatement. Okay, not everyone was tense. Victor and Sean were in the Chase. Eric and Killian, though, were tense, as were the other Chase drivers. The only good news was that they didn't have to deal with Jefferson in this race.
Killian qualified in second while a non-Chase driver got the poll. Eric was in third, Phillip in fourth, and August was in fifth. Victor and Sean, who were guaranteed to go on, were back somewhere in the low teens. Emma had felt the tension in Killian the entire week; it only lessened somewhat when Jefferson was suspended. She knew how much winning this season meant to him, and he was so close. Granted, so were a lot of other drivers, but she just hoped he had his chance to continue. It wasn't fair that the crazy man took it away from him.
When the race started, Killian shot out like a dart, as did the other drivers. He easily got past the non-Chase driver in less than half a lap, and Philip, Eric, and August were right behind them. The three cars battled each other trying to get in front of one another, but their battle was helping Killian out and he gained a good lead by over a second on them.
The race first had a green flag pitstop, and due to Killian's quick crew, he only lost the one lap while he came in for a really quick stop. The rest of the pit stops were under caution, since the Chase contenders were pulling out all the stops. Killian lost the lead for a few laps here and there, but he was able to get it back each time. With three-quarters of the laps down, Killian was for sure going to get the extra point for most laps led, so that helped his chances, but there was still a possibility of two of the other drivers taking his place if he didn't win or get second.
A late-race caution due to a blown tire had Emma on the edge of her seat. When they went back to green, there were four laps to go. Killian was in first with Eric behind him, August was in second with Phillip behind him. Emma wasn't sure how they did it—Philip must have given him a push or something, but August was able to take the lead, though Killian and the others were right behind him. August bobbed up and down the track as he tried to shake Killian and the other drivers. Philip and Eric were coming up on either side of Killian, and thus slowed down his speed as August got further and further away.
He just had to stay in front of the other two, and he valiantly tried his absolute best, while still attempting to get back to August. The laps wound down quickly, and at the last lap, Emma was on her feet. She knew August was going to win it—there was no way around that—but the question was if Killian would be able to hold onto second or not.
The three cars shot out of the fourth corner and came barrelling to the finish, all fighting to make it across first. It was neck and neck, each fighting to get their front bumper in front of the other. When they crossed the finish line, it was too far away for her to be able to tell who crossed first. She quickly looked over at Robin, and he shrugged his shoulders and called to his spotter for an answer. Emma held her breath and looked to the scoreboard, waiting for them to say who came in second…
Point Standings:
Car - Driver - Points - *=leading ^= Win in round
(These are now 'The Chase' points system)
#71 - Killian Jones - 4078
#8 - Phillip Haven - 4077
#36 - Victor Whale - 4091^
#53 - Sean Herman - 4080^
#65 - Eric Sirena - 4075
#92 - August Booth - 4084
#12 - Tarrant Jefferson - OUT