"So you still want that taxi?"

While Billie stood frozen, staring at him from head to toe, Dom closed the gap between them, his hands lifting the shirt to feel her bare skin. He grasped at her hips, with his hands wandering over the smooth curve of her ass. A soft gasp escaped from her lips as he gave her undercarriage a hard squeeze.

Dom pulled her closer, mashing their bodies together as she pulled him in for a kiss. The kiss was slow and lustful, but not at all what his heart wanted. He didn't feel any goosebumps, or tingling sensations in his stomach. He only felt the softness of her skin and the heat from the shots of Tequila warming his insides. The kiss deepened and Billie rotated them around, pushing Dom back onto the bed.

He leaned up on his elbows and watched as Billie sauntered toward him like a wild feline. Once his vision began to blur and the room rocked dizzily, Dom wondered just how low his tolerance for harsh liquor had become. When Billie lifted his large t-shirt over her head, Dom knew he was certainly drunk because the woman standing before him had transformed. She no longer had long, kinky curls, but the dark waves that he loved burying his face in years ago. Her large breasts were now smaller and perky, breasts that he missed licking and nibbling until her back arched off the bed. The three blue birds inked across Billie's waist vanished to reveal flawless, caramel skin beneath.

Even her exotic face now belonged to his ex-lover. The once light-brown eyes became dark, almost-black pools staring back at him seductively.

"What's wrong, Papa?"

The words bounced off his skull like a ping-pong ball as her raspy, yet angelic voice spoke to him. Letty mounted him, her dark hair tickling at his belly as she trailed kisses up his toned stomach. She sat up straight, her lips curved into her signature smirk. Now, Dom's stomach was filled with tiny butterflies that threatened to lift them both into the sky.

"This can't be real," Dom whispered to himself as he rubbed at his eyes, hoping for clarification. As he opened his eyes, it was Billie who sat atop of him, looking down with worried eyes.

"Are you okay, Dom?"

"How could I not be?" he lied through his teeth, putting on a small smile not to alert her. Deep down, he was disappointed by the mirage and the hope it instilled in him. Dom tried to shake her from his mind and focused on Billie again. When they made eye contact, she smirked and continued kissing and licking his chest, her tongue tracing the outline of his abs.

As Billie zoned in on his member, Dom forced his eyes shut and tried to enjoy the treatment, but his mind was running a thousand miles a minute. He felt the heat from her mouth over his shaft, but his body was numb to the sensations. Visions of passionate, raunchy love-making flashed before his eyes, but the dark-haired beaut in his fantasies wasn't Billie. He gazed down at the head of curls in his lap, and frowned. His mood was soured by Letty once again, and he was no longer in the mood for sex.

Now, all he wanted was to crawl under the blankets and sleep.

"Listen, I'm so sorry but-" he started as he pulled Billie away from his crotch. "I can't do this."

"Well that's kind of confusing, considering you were so adamant about me staying," Billie's voice was full of aggravation. She was clearly drunk and sexually aggravated. "This is what I meant when I said it wouldn't work, Dom. You might think you're ready for a relationship, but it's clear that you aren't."

The guilt ate away at Dom sat on the edge of the bed watching as Billie yanked on her underwear and clasp her bra back on. As she reached for her dress, he grabbed her wrist to stop her.

"My head's just a little fuzzy tonight. Please, just lay with me."

Billie stared into Dom's watery eyes, and could tell that he was fighting internal demons. Billie was more than frustrated. She just wanted to go home, enjoy her battery-operated friend, and prep for a hangover, but she could tell no matter how much she needed an orgasm, Dom needed comforting. She wanted to run out of the house, screaming for him to go fuck himself, but she knew he was hurting.

Instead, Billie rolled her eyes and moved to stand between his legs. She placed her hands on either side of his face and forced him to look at her. Her heart ached at the agony shining in his dark eyes. It hurt even more to know she couldn't do anything to stop it. Billie knew what – rather who – Dom needed to make him whole again.

"It's gonna be okay, Dominic," she said softly, laying his head against her stomach. The fuzz from his growing beard tickled her skin, and she could've sworn she felt tears dripping down past her navel. Her next words would haunt her forever, but they needed to be said. "Letty will come back, Dom."

A spark of hope flashed behind his eyes, and was gone just as quick.

"I'm starting to think she won't," he said in as slurred whisper before standing to his feet. "Lay with me."

The two crawled into bed together, with Dom lying on his back and Billie curled up under his arm. The scent of her strawberry shampoo was calming on his nerves, but he still couldn't help missing the familiar smells of coconut tickling his senses every morning.

"I really do like you, Billie."

Dom wasn't sure who he was trying to convince more – Billie or himself.

There was a long pause before she responded, "But you love her more. You guys have been in love since you were teenagers, it's rare to find that nowadays. That's the beauty of finding real love, I guess. When it's real, you don't let it go. You fight for it. You fight until you can't."

"What if I can't? What if she won't let me?"

"You can, and you will. When she's ready, she'll come back."

The Next Morning

Dominic tossed and turned well into the morning with barely a few hours of sleep under his belt. He couldn't get comfortable, and Oz was right – he did feel miserable from the Patron shots. His brain throbbed in his head, and the uneasiness in his stomach made him feel like hurling.

He waited for the nausea to subside before rolling over, finally realizing he was alone in bed. He didn't hear the shower running, or see any clothing belonging to Billie lying around, so he assumed she skipped out early. He wasn't surprised, especially after his performance last night. He didn't feel embarrassed about his meltdown, but he hated that it involved Billie. She was an incredibly sweet girl, and he did like her, but she was right – he loved Letty more.

"Damn you, Ortiz," he groaned and climbed from the bed and headed to the bathroom for a shower. He needed the hot sting of the water to fully wake him up, completely sober him up, and his clear his conscience.

And that's exactly what it did when Dominic climbed under the hot spray. Scorching beads of water rushed over his head as he rolled his neck in ecstasy, stretching the kinks out from his uncomfortable night of rest.

Dom hurried with the shower before his mind had time to wander. He quickly washed and rinsed himself before climbing out to dry. He wrapped a towel around his waist and cleared the steamy mirror ahead of him. He looked better than he felt, but he hoped a few Tylenol from the medicine cabinet would help. He popped a couple and chugged a cup of water before brushing his teeth and shaving away the light shadow growing on his chin. After a few splashes of water to the face, he exited back to his bedroom.

As he pulled open the door, he was surprised to see Jack struggling to climb up on his bed.

"Uncle Dommie?" he called out, believing Dom was somewhere smothered under the duvets.

"What're you doing, buddy?" Dom called softly from behind him, trying his best not to startle Jack.

"Eat! Eat!" Jack chanted while jumping up and down on the bed.

Dom caught him mid-jump, "Where's Mommy and Daddy?"

Jack blushed while pointing out the door.

"How about this? You go find some pants and shoes, then we'll take a ride."

Baby Jack smiled a grin that matched his father's and gave a quick nod. Dom placed him on the ground and watched him trot out of the room before turning to his dresser with a smile of his own.

If nothing else made Dominic happy, Jack Vincent O'Connor made him happy. The kid was a ray of sunshine during the past few years, and seemingly the only person able to fill the void in Dominic's life. Other than Mia, Jack was the only biological family that he had left, and without any children of his own, it was up to Dom to teach Jack about the Toretto legacy. To help instill I him what his own father taught him, about sticking with family and being true to your word. And of course, cars.

Dom dressed in white cargo pants and a white t-shirt before slipping on his sandals. Heading for the door, he paused and turned back towards the end table that held his prized jewelry box. He went to it, lifting the top as if it were full of pirate's gold. Dom raised the necklace carefully from the box and draped it around his neck. His eyes raked over the envelope that contained the letter lying at the bottom of the box, but chose to ignore it.

Today, he would be happy with Jack, and not think about how miserable he actually felt.

Dominic headed down the hall to Mia's room, where she was sprawled out across her queen-sized bed, snoring like a freight train. He laughed at her awkward position, but didn't dare wake her from her obvious deep sleep. There was no sign of Brian in the room, so Dom assumed he was still occupying the guest room. Baby Jack, however, was on a tear, ripping clothes from the dresser in search of pants. He passed over several perfectly fine bottoms to stop on multicolored pajama pants and held them up to Dom eagerly.

"Fashionable," Dom said with a grin. "You're certainly Mia's kid. Grab your shoes, Jackie."

Jack tucked his Spongebob Squarepants sneakers under his arm and ran over to his uncle. Dom quickly slid his pants on, tuck his tiny shoes on his feet, and snagged a clean t-shirt from the dresser and tugged it on before they were ready to go.

Bouncing down the stairs, Dom chuckled at the site of Brian dangling halfway off the couch. With Jack occupying his arms, he nudged Brian with his foot.

"B, go get in bed with Mia."

Brian stirred awake. He stared up at Dom in confusion, "Where you going? Something wrong?"

"No, everything is fine. The Kid and I were up so we're gonna find some trouble to get into."

"Dom."

"I'm kidding, O'Connor," Dom grinned as they headed for the door. "We're just gonna take a ride. Maybe grab some breakfast, check in on Oz at the shop. We're closed today – no reason he should be there alone."

"That's what we pay him for right?" Brian replied groggily as he sat up on the sofa. His dark blonde hair stuck up in every direction, and his injuries from the night before were an ugly purple color.

"Haven't you had enough?" Dom teased while lifting the extra car seat from the closet near the door.

"Nah, he's all right, I guess. Hey bro, you think you could bring back some breakfast?"

"I thought Mia went after groceries yesterday?"

"She did, but I don't know if I can wait much longer for her to get up."

"Trust me, if you're waiting on her to cook breakfast, you're gonna starve. She's out cold."

Brian groaned and flopped back down on the couch. This movement annoyed Dom.

"Brian, tell me when was the last time Mia slept in past five AM?" He looked away sheepishly. "Exactly. Try cooking for you wife."

Dom left the home before he had to knock some sense into Brian. He carried both Jack and the car seat toward the garage and stopped at the door, pressing the button that raised the shed door.

"Which one are we taking today? You pick," Dom told Jack while they both stood smiling at the phenomenal beauties in front of them: Dom's matte black '70 Dodge Charger and blood red '69 Dodge Charger Daytona.

"Cha-ga!" Jack said excitedly while pointing to the classic beast.

"Good choice."

Dom fastened the car seat in the modified back seat of his favorite ride. He enjoyed the Daytona he acquired in London, but it didn't compare to the monster he built with his own two hands. It had been his favorite car since his father brought their first one home when he was fourteen. It was junked, but they restored it together, and created a demon on the blacktop. For that reason alone, Dom was determined to hang on to the Charger.

Buckled in and ready to go, Dominic and his nephew started their impromptu day together. He started by taking Jack to his current favorite breakfast spot – a quaint spot called Local. He had a blast tearing through a small stack of pancakes with the toddler, and failing miserably at trying to clean maple syrup from his hands and face.

"I guess I should've grabbed you a change of clothes," Dom said with a chuckle. Jack smiled a toothy grin that melted Dom's heart and he soon forgot about the mess Jack made. "What do you want to do next, Jack? Go to the park? Or maybe see a movie?"

Jack thought for a moment, his blue eyes darting across the table absently, "Swim?!"

"Swim?" Dom repeated back, surprised by the answer. He thought about where they could swim, then an idea popped into his head. "Okay, Kid. Let's do it."

After stopping at a grocery market for food, Dom took the two hour drive to the Malibu beach house he purchased just a week after returning to LA. Being near the water was like family tradition, with plenty summer trips spent on the water. He knew how much Letty loved the beach before her accident, and after their first visit went so well, he knew she'd want to spend more time there, so he bought the beach house on a whim.

He, of course, hadn't been to the beach house since Letty had left. The home sat uninhabited for over a year, and Dom only wondered if the place was crawling with squatters by now. Pulling up to the massive, white, modern-style home, Dom was relieved to see it still looked in pristine condition. The beautiful terrace was decked out in white and wooden-hued décor, with large glass walls ensuring endless views, and plenty of comfy lounge furniture to stretch out on.

Dom grabbed the groceries and headed inside with them first, in case someone was occupying his place without permission. Stepping through the glass door, he only heard silence while making his way to the kitchen. The enchanting home was still in the condition they left it – albeit a bit dusty – in one piece, most importantly. He glanced around at the white sofas and loveseats that occupied the open living room, smiling at the memory of Letty bouncing from sofa to sofa in excitement of the house. She especially loved the black and gray accents of home, such as the dining table, counter-tops, and appliances.

He put the groceries away in the fridge before doing a quick run-through of every room in the home. Each of the six bedrooms were empty, including the one Letty claimed as her own. A few gossip magazines were spread across her bed, but otherwise the room was vacant and void of anything belonging to her.

Dom finished his search and hurried back out to the car for Jack. As he leaned in to unbuckle him from the seat, his cell phone began blaring from his pocket.

"Yo Oz," he answered.

"Hey man, you think you could stop in? I need some signatures on these invoices."

"I'm on my way."

Dom pulled up to DT's a while later to see Oz standing outside the bay doors holding a conversation with a man in a suit. His back was to Dom, but he would recognize that shiny bald head anywhere.

Dom pulled inside the garage to escape the sun. He stepped out as they approached him.

"Dom Toretto... long time, no see, ese," Hector greeted with a smile.

"Hector G," Dom beamed as he embraced his old friend. "Is this the invoice you were speaking of? I'm surprised you didn't pummel him," he said to Oz.

"No way, man. I knew this cat up in San Quen a few years ago," Oz said about Hector, "He showed up as I was getting the drop off of parts for the Buick. He gave me a hand unloading the merch."

"You know anytime I'm in DT's, I gotta lend a hand," Hector pulled away and glanced around the shop. "Wow. I haven't been in this place for years. It's looking badass, homie."

"Thanks, brother. Glad to have this place back," Dom said truthfully. "San Quen? You get pinched?" he asked. As far as he knew, Hector was pretty good about laying low and staying out of prison, unlike much of his crew.

"Yeah man, did two years for some dope, street racing and some illegal parts. Cops started hitting the Warehouse scene pretty heavy after everything went down, it was like that for years. Guess they were afraid copycats would start popping up. I managed to duck them until about four years ago. Them fools started planting in the crowd, caught me cash-in-hand. Searched the ride, found a little bud.. it was all over for me," Hector explained, never losing his trademark grin though.

Dom had to ask, "What's it like over there now?"

"You know the five-o can't hold the Warehouse down for long. Those fools are back at it. Just more discreet about the details, they switch it up from time to time, take it a few blocks down. But I haven't been down there in a while. Nah, I finally went legit, ese. That's actually why I'm here to talk to you. Business."

Before Dom could reply, Jack's whining from the back seat caught his attention. He opened the passenger door and lifted Jack out.

"Don't tell me Toretto has reproduced?" Hector laughed as Dom came over with Jack.

"Wrong Toretto. This is Mia's little boy, Jack. He's two. Jack, say hi to Hector."

"Hi Hec-tor," Jack said with an enthusiastic wave.

Hector bumped knuckles with Jack, "What's up, little dude." Hector could see Mia in Jack's nose, lips, and complexion, but the blonde hair, bright blue eyes and exuberant smile belonged to someone else. Someone familiar.

"Don't tell me this is the Snowman's offspring?" Hector exclaimed while studying the sleepy tot's face. "Can't believe you let the Buster make little Mia a babymama."

"It's not even like that. They're married now. He's good for her, and he's a good dad," Dom said proudly.

"And what about you? No rugrats of your own? I always thought you and Letty would have a few kids, you know, before her accident," Hector's happy tone faltered slightly, "I do miss that chica. She was loco."

"Hector, you do know Letty's alive, right?" Dom filled him in. "We found her in London. She's not here, but she's alive. At least I hope."

"Well where is she? I gotta catch up with her."

"You got some time to kill? I was gonna call everyone to ride out to the beach house for the night. Do some decompressing."

Hector nodded and stepped away to make a few calls. Dom buckled Jack back in the car, with a promise to see Mommy soon. He joined Oz back in the office, where he moved to file away some papers.

"Hey man, close up here and meet us at the house in twenty minutes. Gonna go the beach house out in Malibu, get away from the fumes for a while."

Oz nodded, thankful to take a day away from wrenching away at motors and transmissions.

"Hey, I just wanna apologize about last night. Brian's stubborn as hell, and I've already been stressed enough with the Buick and getting the new security system installed. He was just pressing the wrong buttons. And that thing with Mia-"

Dom stopped him, "Don't sweat it, brother. She doesn't know that you don't drink. Mia just likes to be hospitable."

"You haven't told her about my past? I mean, my DUIs and AA and what not?" Dom shook his head. Oz seemed surprised that Dom kept his past criminal record to himself. "Brian either?"

"If it doesn't interfere with your job, it isn't anyone's business. You're what … six months clean? You've got your head on straight. Just stay that way, and we stay good."

Oz nodded confidently and he and Dom bumped knuckles.

Hector stepped outside the garage and strolled toward his car – a black 2014 Honda Civic Coupe – while answering an incoming call on his cell.

"Yo Diaz, just the man I needed to talk to. You were right about Letty - she is alive. I guess you were really seeing her in that club. And guess what else? You wouldn't believe where I'm on my way to," he said before the person on the other end could speak.

"I could say the same thing. I knew that was her from the moment I saw her. I know Letty. That's why I'm calling; I just got the strangest phone call..."