Race For Red Trophies

Chapter four: Progression

Lisbon was having a very busy week. She had spent more time at the racetrack than in her own shop, driving around and around. Jane had spent his time on the sidelines, timing every lap. They were working to get the fastest time possible before the first of four knock-out races. The race started with fifty competitors, and the ten bottom racers were knocked out at the end of each race. Lisbon had examined her list of names and times carefully. She knew that she would have to perform at her best, mentally and physically, in order to avoid being knocked from the race. The fifth and final race had ten competitors, and the champion was crowned from there.

Jane stood at the edge of the track. He held the stopwatch, and wrote down the time after every lap. Two hundred laps – and four sheets of paper with writing on both sides – later, and they both decided to call it a day. They headed off to a nearby diner to evaluate the times. Lisbon clutched a cup of coffee and handed Jane a sheet of paper. "The times do improve as I get a feel for the track," she said, picking up the next sheet. "But they're still nowhere near good enough to get in the top three."

Jane looked at the sheet he was holding. "However, a time by itself means very little. It's all in the strategy of the race. I think you have a good shot at doing this."

Lisbon smiled. "I suppose you do, seeing as you're sponsoring me."

Jane chuckled. "That's part of it, but you do have true talent. Much more than a lot of those men out there."

Lisbon smiled. "I guess racing is in my blood. I can't help doing what I love."

Jane thought back to his own experience that morning. Lisbon had offered to take him for a ride around the track, a decision Jane immediately regretted as soon as Lisbon turned the first corner. He had never experienced a white-knuckle ride quite like it, and he decided that the sideline was probably a better option. He laughed. "After what you put me through this morning, Lisbon, I'm very glad you enjoy what you do."

Lisbon laughed with him. She, admittedly, had been showing off a little for Jane, and took pleasure in the fact that he had been impressed – though terrified – at her driving abilities. They spent the best part of two hours analysing the times and discussing possible strategies in preparation for the first race.

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The morning of the race dawned bright and sunny. The fifty racers were all at the track early, doing last minute checks and making sure all was in order. Jane arrived to find the tiny frame of Teresa Lisbon buried waist deep in her engine, checking that everything was still attached and functioning. "Morning, Lisbon," he said, stopping just behind her.

The petite woman jumped, bumping an oil can resting next to her with her elbow. The can fell over, and a thick puddle of oil oozed from the open lid. "Jane," she scolded, pulling herself from the engine. "Don't do that."

"Do what?" asked Jane innocently, stepping out of the way of the meandering rivulet of oil.

Lisbon rolled her eyes and grabbed a stray rag. She mopped up the spill as best she could, and dumped the rag in a nearby trash can.

Jane cocked his head as a voice came over the speakers. It instructed the racers to bring their cars to the starting line, and that the race was about to begin. Jane turned to Lisbon. "Good luck out there, Teresa."

Lisbon smiled. "Thanks."

She turned and got into her car. She started the engine and drove to the starting line. She pulled her red GTO into her allotted slot and waited nervously for the green flag to appear. The cars around her revved noisily, and the crowd began to roar at the sound. The flag appeared, and the racers pulled off. Lisbon drove with them, sticking to the strategy she and Jane had come up with in the diner. The flag dropped, and the race began.

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The commentators sat high up, speaking excitedly into their microphones. "Jake, how do you think the racers will do out there today?"

Jake looked across to Mike. "Well, Mike, it certainly is going to be interesting, with our newest addition to the Redding Cup throwing a curve ball to both racers and audience."

Mike laughed. "Yes, the red GTO, driven by one," he glanced down at the screen in front of him and frowned, "Teresa Lisbon."

Jake covered Mike's slip-up. "Yes, Ms Lisbon has been part of the amateur racing scene for two years now, but has only very recently been given the opportunity to go professional, after being sponsored by Jane & Grace Inc. Let's see how she's holding up at the moment."

The two men turned their attention back to the track, and were both stunned into silence as the red GTO pulled swiftly into third place. "Well," said Mike. "It appears that Ms Lisbon has taken third place, behind Jack Flanagan in second and Andrew Black in first."

The two men continued to commentate, but Jane wasn't listening to their endless chatter anymore. It was being broadcast through to the guest suite, and Jane attempted to tune them out. His attention was focussed on the GTO as it closed the gap on Flanagan. Lisbon managed to sneak past him on a corner, and Jane grinned widely. Lisbon managed to stay where she was for the entire race, and eventually finished in second place. She had survived the first race.

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Lisbon took the racing world by storm, and became the first amateur racer to ever make it through to the final race in the Redding Cup. She had managed to finish second in the next three races, and looked set to place in the top three in the final race. The race was scheduled for two weeks' time, in order to give the ten remaining competitors time to prepare.

Lisbon sat curled up on her tiny armchair, eating chocolate ice-cream and watching the late news. She had raced that day, and was mentally worn out. She couldn't sleep, however, so she decided to pass some time by watching a bit of mindless TV. A story concerning the final of the Redding Cup came on, and she sat up straighter. "The final race in the Redding Cup, scheduled for two weeks from now, has become a topic of much debate amongst the locals. This has been since Teresa Lisbon arrived and turned the racing world on its head. She has become, not only the first amateur, but also the first woman, to make it through to the final race. Current leader, Andrew Black, had this to say." The woman standing on the edge of the racetrack disappeared, and the picture now showed a press conference. Andrew sat at the table, hands behind his head. "We don't mind having Ms Lisbon on the track with us," he drawled. "But she needs to stay out of our way and let the big boys do their jobs. The racetrack is no place for a woman."

Lisbon scowled at the TV. A journalist put up his hand. "Mr Black," he asked. "Aren't you being sexist towards Ms Lisbon? She has finished second in every race so far, beating eight out of her nine final opponents."

Andrew smiled. "that's all well and good, but we don't want to be held responsible if she gets broken. Little Ms Lisbon better stay out of our way, if she knows what's good for her. After all, we wouldn't want to shatter her delicate frame."

Lisbon reached for her phone, completely forgetting that it was close to midnight, and dialled Jane's number, fuming.

Jane hadn't been asleep, and he answered on the second ring. "Lisbon," he said, sounding surprised. "Why are you phoning at such a late hour?"

Lisbon glanced at the clock and blushed. "Sorry, Jane. I didn't realise what the time was." She glanced at the TV and scowled. "Have you seen it?"

Jane seemed to know what she was talking about. "Yes. Andrew Black has always been a pigheaded, chauvinistic moron, and a woman attempting to beat him at what he knows best has to be grating at his nerves."

"It makes me want to beat him with a baseball bat," growled Lisbon, only half listening to Andrew ramble on and on about how careers should be divided, and that everyone has a role to play. She turned the TV off in anger. "Jane, how do I show him I'm perfectly capable of winning?"

Jane thought for a moment. "Win. Beat him at what he does best, and show him whose boss."

"Thanks, Jane," said Lisbon, feeling slightly calmer.

"You're welcome, Teresa," said Jane with a smile.

She cut the call, leaving Jane alone with his thoughts. What Andrew had said about Lisbon had made him angry, and the feeling scared him a little. He hadn't felt this angry and protective over a woman since his wife had passed away. The overwhelming urge to protect Lisbon had made him reconsider everything he thought he knew. He knew he shouldn't be, but he knew he couldn't stop it. He had – completely unintentionally – fallen for the tiny racer in the worst possible way. The feeling and emotions swirled through his mind, and he gripped his teacup to prevent his hands from shaking. "No," he told himself. "I will not."

But the more he tried to convince himself, the more he realised that he couldn't fight against her growing appeal. He rested his head on the table in front of him and let the emotions take over. It was a rare occasion for Patrick Jane, but he resurfaced a changed man. He knew that he had to win her heart, and soon.

A/N: I hope you are enjoying this story so far. Please tell me how I'm doing – and whether you like it – in a review. I really appreciate the input you have. Thanks.