Chapter Twenty Nine- Blood on her Hands
Canary Islands
Brian helps Mia out of the car. A baby bump now more visible after 6 months.
After the successful pull off in Rio, it had gifted them with joy but still the lost of pain followed them. Agent Luke Hobbs who went from chasing them down to helping them nail the biggest leader in Brazil—he wasn't looking to put them in jail but knew he wouldn't hesitate if given orders and they were to leave the islands.
The job rewarded them with money but they lost Vince in the process. Dom had made sure that Vince son and wife were taken care of, he had told Dom how he named his son after the first kid that brought him love, the one who called him, uncle. Vince.
Nicole....
It was adorable that his some had been named, Nico. Many of the family wished that he could have been able to see his big cousin. But Dom swore to always look after them and left a number just in case.
Everyone from the family went their separate ways but stayed in tact. Spending their money and staying out of the laws eyes. Rich they were but still Wanted criminals.
It had been Brian's idea to move to the islands. No jurisdiction and a chance for them to live some what free lives. The coming months had been a bad dream but they were all finally settling into their new calm lives.
Knocking on the door, Mia smiled at the blonde woman who opened it up.
Smiling from ear to ear, a person Brian and Mia believed to the biggest blessing for Dom at the moment.
Elena,
She was a cop from Brazil that had been with Hobbs until she later on left to travel with Dom.
One of the only people who could understand Don's pain when it came to Letty. She had been a good help to him as a friend.
Letting them inside—Elena hugs Mia and nods to Brian.
"Thought you two weren't coming until later."
"Somebody thought it would be better to be extra early." Mia rolls her eyes to Brian.
"You take forever to get dress now."
Mia hands go to her hips. "I do? I am carrying an extra human here. Not as easy at it looks."
Brian saw the stance and knew that meant an argument well on its way. Last thing he wanted is to argue with his pregnant wife.
"Dom is...." he asks Elena.
"Upstairs on the patio." She chuckles.
Brian smiles. "Thanks," he kissed the side of Mia's head. "Dont beat me up later."
"Think about it."
Brian jogs up the steps of the home.
Mia watches him, her smile falling. "How's he doing?"
"Day by day," Elena takes the bag from Mia to relieve her. "You know your brother is famous for the words 'I'm fine', but I know. You can tell after a while."
Mia nods. "Thank you, for staying with him."
"He understands." Elena smiles to herself as her gaze falls to the floor. "I don't think I met someone who just understands that pain. Until I met him."
Elena places a hand on Mia's back. "Come on. I'm still cooking but you can come on in."
The two girl leaves into the kitchen.
Upstairs.....
Walking onto the balcony, Brian gives a knock.
Dom leaned on the edge—looking out at the island seas. The brushing winds blowing his shirt as he looked at the waves crash on the beach below the home.
"Hey," Brian walks over. He takes a look out at the view and scoffs. "I think your view is better than mine."
Dom chuckled. "Best pick if you ask me. I liked this view the best. It reminds me of her,"
"Letty?"
Shaking his head, he gives a sad smile. "No. Nicole." He picks up his beer. "She always loved beaches. Since she was a kid, it was always something about them."
Brian takes his gaze down to the family photo of Dom and Letty holding a six year old Nicole. It sat on the table close the view; just like Nicole would love it. The chain of Nicole wrapped to hang over the frame, along with a flower and few candles.
"Nicole had the right idea about beaches."
"It was supposed to be the place I was going to take her after L.A." Dom smile falls. "I think I sit out here every morning for her. A part of me thinks she is going be to come knocking on that door."
"Dom, if you want to look for her. We can-"
"I know she's gone Brian." Dom hated to admit, he gives his brother a brave stare. "I told you the moment we made this decision, that life is over. Your going to be a family man soon." He pats his back making Brian chuckle. "I learned what happened when you don't leave behind the past. I lost what I was supposed to hold onto....I'm not letting you do that."
"Dom-"
"At all." Dom points. "I'll be okay. I'm not alone living in here."
"I'm glad your not." Brian nods. "Though Nicole would have tried to drop kick Elena, for the first time."
Dom grins a throaty chuckle. "She would, I know she wouldn't like any of this."
Brian shakes his head. "I don't think that."
Dons brow raised. "You met Nicole? And her mother?"
Brian laughs. "Yes, and I know they wouldn't hold it against you, Dom. Life still goes on and though she wouldn't like it, I know Nicole is happy you have someone like Elena here with you. She never wanted you to be alone. It's okay to try and live your life Dom. That's what they would want."
"I know," Dom agrees. "Thank you,"
"Your welcome." Brian nods his head back. "Come on, maybe you can give me that race again. Minus the baby gift and cheating."
"Your never going to let go of the past, are you, O'Conner."
"That's because you always do it." Brian follows him.
Dom didn't have everything but who he did have he would hold onto and keep them safe. Never again would he drag his family into meaningless jobs.
They were finally with some peace and that's how he intended to keep it for a long time....
_____
Officers walked into the computer room from the silent alarm going off. Guns pointed inside the illuminated dark room, they eyed the different computers and booths.
A few of their fellow men were there laid out.
Stepping down to one, he checked for a pulse. "He's breathing."
Hearing typing; the other officer broke away from his partner. "Stay with them."
Going around the corner, he walks down the hall.
His feet stop when the sound of the typing ceased. Approaching the cubical, he eased around before pulling out with his gun—aimed and ready to shoot.
The officer held his fire when he came face to face with an empty chair turned towards him.
Brows pulling together, he gets closer to the computer to see the information the person left up. Eyes going wide he had little time to react when a knife was thrown into his back. Crying out he fired by mistake and fell against the desk.
"Wills!" The voice of his partner calls out for him.
Walking up behind him, he only saw a glimpse of waved, deep-burgundy red hair. Paying him no attention, she takes out the drive when it finished.
Coughing, he stuggles to pull himself up. Gazing up to see her, he noticed her looks and it made his head tilt.
"Y-You were here earlier...."
Deep blue contacted eyes flickered down to stare at him. "Your that girl."
Saying nothing to him, she snatches the blade out his back and pushed him over. He fell on the floor trying to grab the wound that now covered his shirt.
Grabbing the bag off the floor, she ran out for the exit.
Coming to a meet, the other cop aims his weapon. "Get down!"
As she looked to put her hands up, she swings her bag to knock the gun free from his hands.
Taking out his night stick he swings only for his arm to be grabbed, with a twist of his wrist. She slips the nightstick in her grip as she held onto his arm.
Another officer ran in and over to help, using his body for leverage she kicks him to flip over the other mans arm in fluid motion. Landing on her feet, she twists his arm behind him and kicked him forward with no hesitation. Slipping a knife from her side, she threw it when he spun around.
The officer behind her got up only to be whipped back down by the night stick across his face. Throwing it to the side, she runs out of the room and heads down the halls, avoiding all of the alarms.
Hearing voices behind her, she took a quick glance to see men running. A few gun shots went off near her.
Bending the corner, an agent hits the hall she did, running straight towards her. Trying to run pass he grabs, and spins her back against him in a choke hold. Coughing—she grabbed at his arm, he tightens it around her throat.
Snatching out a knife, she plunged it into his leg. Dropping his grip, she snatched back out the knife, another agent hits the corner only to be dropped down by a knife thrown to his chest.
Dodging being grabbed by the man behind her, she kicked the back of his knee and drove her own to the side of his head.
She takes off for the corner, as another agent came running.
Using the man down on all fours as a step up—she cut off the agent, jumping on him with a tilt a whirl from her legs, that sent him down flipping down.
Not giving him time to get up, she runs down the hall.
One agent looked to cut her off, she dropped and slid between his legs and hit the corner, missing a gunshot meant for her. Going inside a room, she closed the door behind her and crawled through the vent she had gotten through earlier.
Outside....
Texting on the phone, Xander stops when he heard alarms going off inside.
His wide eyes snap up. "One thing, I told you to do one thing. Stubborn at its best."
Seeing the girl run over to him, he raised a brow. "I thought I said, DON'T, make noise."
"I thought I said tell me when there is a silent alarm?!"
"Common sense!"
"Shut up and get in."
Hopping in the drivers side, she pulls off down the street. Hearing the sound of police sirens made her look to the mirrors.
"I asked you to do one thing."
"Which I did." Handing over the flash drive to him.
Xander brows quirk. "Well now, look who's getting better."
Speeding down the empty streets, she saw cop lights blur up ahead.
"Got more fans."
Looking around, an intersection approached.
Pressing on the gas, Xander watched the mirrors to see the cops on them getting closer. One car was on its way to catching up,
"Left,"
"I see him,"
Cars approached behind—the ones speeding ahead to cut them off getting more close by the second.
"Brake." She tells him.
Xander pulled the handle
A palmed hand of the wheel like Letty showed her, the car spun its way back using the intersection. All five of the cars collided head on. Switching the brake she drives in reverse, and circles the car back around before pulling off down the street—away from the sound of more sirens blaring out.
Xander looks in the mirror at the damage. "Ouch." his gaze drifts over to her. "That was nasty. At least you can tell, Letty you mastered that turn."
"See, I'm not that reckless."
"Says to the girl pushing eighty as if she's driving in a calm forty zone."
Giggling, she continues her speed down the quiet city.
Letting up off the gas when she felt they were at a good distance, she finally let the car cruse down the street.
Driving to a safe location, they parked the car in a safe spot at warehouse by the river.
Walking inside the warehouse;
Owen looks up from talking with Jah and Ivory.
"There they are. How was it?"
Xander waves it. "Got what you wanted. It was a good idea pulling most of them across town."
"Always good to have a distraction." Owen smirks, his eyes drift over. "Nicole?"
Taking her burgundy hair in a pony tail, Nicole walks over to them rubbing at her side. "Yeah?"
"Good job." Owen gives the drive over to Ivory. "Go clean up. We leave first ting tomorrow morning."
"Good. Love Ireland, the cops? Not so much." Nicole rubs her jacket but notices the blood still staning her hands. Loosing herself in the sight of it, those painful memories from a few months—ones she tried to forget.
"Nicole?"
Xander turns back when he noticed her spacing out. "Nick?" Pulling her shoulder around. "Nicole,"
"W-What," Taking a deep breath, she looks over to see the men all giving her weird looks. "I'm fine, I'll see you all later."
Watching her walk away from them, Owen eyes went into slits.
"You two give me and Xander a minute." He tells Jah and Ivory.
The young man had still been watching where Nicole walked off too.
"I guess your right," Owen sighs.
"I told you so," Xander eyes narrowed over to look at him. "She's not okay. I have been telling you that for months now that Nicole is not okay. Letty said it, Ivory,"
"I hear you," Owen leans on the rail. "How close was she to getting caught?"
"I can't answer that but this is the second time this week. Nicole doesn't make these small mistakes, she did good for a good while until that incident. I told you this would happen. You don't kill somebody and be okay."
"She did it by mistake."
"Doesn't make it any better." Xander says. Owen folds his arms taking his gaze down. "Yeah, she can 'get your jobs done' but now its not on purpose. You don't kill somebody at her age and come out okay. You know that."
"Jah says her training is good but she's not into it anymore." Owen rubs his chin. "Last week she almost got herself killed with her reckless behavior."
"Yet you thought I was overreacting," Xander looks back at him. "What are you going to do? If this keeps up, she's going to get herself killed and if her mind gets any worse she will do it on purpose." Owen eyes narrow to him. "You know it could lead there."
Owen nods. "I'll handle it."
"How?" Xander brows pull. .
"Don't you worry about it." Owen leans up, taking his phone out his pocket. "Enjoy the rest of your night while your here." he pats his back, walking off.
___
Getting out the shower, now dressed in pair of jean shorts and tank top.
Nicole's hair now reached a little pass the center of her back as she wore it in waved style instead of straight or messy curls.
Grabbing the bandages off the table—she wrapped her hand that had gotten cut up from last week.
Putting the tape down, she takes a brief glance into the mirror and who she saw....she didn't know.
The girl she used to be, was nothing but a faded memory. Since making the decision to take her place here seriously, a lot of things had happened for the better...
And for the worse.
Letty had taught her to drive, Xander was getting her better with motorcycles—not to mention growing her addiction for them.
A lot of stuff had to change when a cop recognized Nicole's face from TV. Even though Owen made sure he wouldn't stay alive to talk about it, he still had to make some changes. Changing her hair and eye color made her look completely different and that helped.
Nicole Toretto had died and Hailey Shaw lived.
Nicole noticed some of the looks Xander and Letty would give her. They kept worrying about her every second, and slowly it was starting to get to her. She didn't need to be coddled anymore, she didn't deserve that after what she did.
In months—she started to loose that hope of somebody finding her, or Letty remembering. A spark of it lingered but Nicole knew deep down there was no way out. This was the life she had to live now and she was going to be okay with that.
Walking out into the warehouse, Nicole spots Letty laughing with Xander.
Xander nods up his head. "Speak of the devil."
"What are you?"
"An angel."
Letty snorts. "Yeah, okay, Xander." Her arms propped on the steps as she leaned back.
Nicole chuckles going pass them.
Letty looks up. "You good?"
"Mhm." Nicole walks over to the table and has a seat.
Xander eyes shoot back to Letty who nodded for him to go. Catching the hint he left them alone.
Letty gets up and pulls out the chair at the table.
With her arm tucked, Nicole rolls her neck--massaging it gently with her free hand.
"Xander told me what happened..."
"What happened?" Nicole lowers her head, looking over at her. "We weren't caught."
"Could have been."
"Its not that of a deal."
"That's the second time this week, Owen thinks your getting sloppy, Nicole."
Nicole rolls her eyes. "Then he can go do this crap himself."
Letty head tilts. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"There is nothing to talk about." Nicole lowers her arm. "I really wish you guys just leave things where they are. I am fine."
"That last part doesn't make you sound anymore believable, then the first time you said it." Letty nods. Nicole gives her a look for that one. "You need to accept it." Looking away, Nicole stares down at the table. "It was a mistake."
"The others weren't...."
Letty slowly nods. "I know, but you didn't do that because you liked to. You had a job to do."
"Doesn't make it an excuse."
"No it doesn't; but it is a reason." Letty says.
Nicole sighs, shaking her head. "Can we not talk about it?" A begging look in her eyes. "Please?"
Letty eyes her but agrees. "Alright, Nicole."
A car pulled inside the warehouse when Owen walks out with Vegh. Turning their attention to the car, the headlights shut off.
Nicole's brow pull; she looks up when Xander walks up behind her chair. "Who's that?"
"I couldn't tell you," Letty shakes her head. "Maybe one of Owen's friends."
Nicole blinks over to her. "...He has those?"
Letty eyes narrow to Nicole and shot Xander a glare for his slight laugh.
"What?" He caught Letty's 'really' glare. "Nicole said it."
The three of them head down the steps to go over where the others gathered.
Getting out of the car, a red haired man steps out.
Short and cut, faded orange hair—slicked back that comes to his neck, and a red beard to match. Nicole head tilts at his rugged, yet still clean appearance. His dark eyes matched his style and she didn't know why but his demeanor scared a part of her.
"Well, how did you find me?" Owen asks amused. "It's been a long time. Rhodes."
"Owen," He nods his head up to him as he walks over, his eyes go to the team. "Nice crew you got here. We have been hearing a lot. You guys have been starting a lot of trouble for those cops out there."
"We do our job well," Owen half smirks, he nods to the man. "I like you all to meet, Connor Rhodes. He's an 'old friend' of mine."
Nicole learned a lot about Owen in her months of being there, and she could tell that 'old friend' didn't mean at all what was implied. And she didn't know the other guy to well, but the crooked smile told her a lot.
Rhodes eyes find her in the mix and his brows pull together. "Who's she?"
"That's, Hailey."
Letty and Nicole both narrowed their eyes from this. Owen would never use her fake name unless he didn't trust who was around them.
"I didn't see her name come up on the list. Guess she missed a name."
"I guess she did."
Nicole and Xander both exchanged a glance of the 'she' being thrown around between the two men.
Rhodes eyes found Xander and with a brief double take, the man eyes linger on him before brushing his thoughts off.
"Is there something I can help you with?" Owen asks him.
"It is." He walks up, giving Owen a file. "We might need to talk in private though,"
Owen flips through the file with a smirk. "Night Shade device?"
"Payment is a big thing if you can pull it off."
"If." Owen chuckles. "You sound like your talking to an amateur. I find it very funny you have come to me, especially after a certain someone said you've been to them first."
"Talked to big brother have we?" Rhodes jokes. "He said no, but he was never the one to go after these things. You however....we know your motives."
"I never hide them." Owen closes it up. "We can talk more in the back about this. When does she want it to start?"
"Everything will be in motion by the end of this year. We are still waiting on some things but there are more jobs in place that have to be done. She wanted to know if your are up for them?"
"Of course." Owen eyes flickered up, that same half smile meeting that cold look. "Always like new challenges."
"Don't we all,"
"Lets talk more about these other jobs and then this device." Owen waves the file.
The two of them head off into the back. Leaving the team alone, Nicole was the the first to ask the burning question.
"We take job requests now?"
Vegh snaps a look over to her. "Those job requests pay you,"
Nicole takes a second before turning her attention to the blonde. "You never speak when spoken to, do you?"
Vegh eyes roll. "Please remember your a child."
"And what are you?"
"Nicole," Xander shakes his head.
"What?" Nicole snaps to Xander. "I wasn't talking to her but lord behold, she opens her mouth. Every single time I talk, she has a comment."
Vegh walks over to her. "Lets make one thing clear," she gets in her face. "the only reason I haven't put a bullet in you yet is because I am told not to."
"Dogs always listen to their masters."
All the men eyes widened.
Vegh slaps her across the face,
Letty went to step up.
Stumbling back holding her cheek, Nicole eyes widened.
"That is the last time I am-"
Letty only got halfway to Vegh before Nicole knocked the blonde across the face—sending her on the floor. Jumping on top of her the two of them rolled to pin the other, the men were trying to break it up but stopped when Nicole slipped the knife from her pocket. Sitting on top of Vegh she locked the woman's hands and slipped the knife under her throat, causing them to stop.
"Don't put your hands on me." Nicole grits out. "That, is my last time!"
Vegh glares back at Nicole. "What's wrong? You already killed one person, what's stopping you?"
Nicole pressed it deeper against her throat.
"Nicole," Letty eases up behind the girl. Even though she would give nothing more to see it, Nicole didn't need another persons life weighing her mind down. "Nicole, come on."
Vegh smirks at Nicole who looked ready to explode. "Like I told him, your going to crack under pressure.." She whispers.
"Nicole," Letty's hand rests on her shoulder. "Put it down,"
Tears slide down her cheeks but she takes the knife away from Vegh and starts to get up. Taking her foot and slipping it under, Vegh kicks her off the rest of the way.
Nicole rolls over on her stomach holding the same painful spot from earlier.
Xander runs right over to check on her.
Vegh stands up and went to go after her but Letty stepped in her way.
"Move."
"Or?" Letty's brow raised. Vegh went to push her aside but got pushed back into her spot. "I don't think so."
"She needs to learn her place around here."
"You need to keep your hands to yourself." Letty points. "She didn't touch you the first time and you saw what happened. Don't make me regret stopping her."
"You just love protecting her don't you?" Vegh head tilts. "Something you want to tell us, Letty. Conspiring."
"You don't get paid to think and I see why." Letty says. "Are you upset because she put you on your ass?" A slight amusement, her small grin shows. Vegh glare hardens until she watched Letty smile drop. "I don't care if she is a child. Hit her again, I will be the one to hit you back."
Vegh glares drops to Nicole with a scoff. "Whatever. She'll be dead soon if she keeps up her track record. All of you know it."
Nicole rolls over on her stomach wanting badly to throw the knife in her hand. She lets Xander help her up.
Taking her knife, she leaves away from all of them. Having enough of it all today.
"Nicole!"
Ignoring the voice of Letty calling her, she went back to a small room that was fixed up. Locking herself inside with her thoughts may not have been the safest but it was the only thing she had left.
Back against the wall, she slides down—burying her face into her shaking hands.
Pulling them away to look, she only saw the blood again, that's all she would ever see. Screwing her eyes shut; she rocked her body, burying her face back in her knees.
Holding herself, quietly begging for it to go away. She wouldn't cry, no matter the pain of it wanting to pour out. It wouldn't help her, tears wouldn't help her, nothing would...
Flashback....
A shot, an echoed shot still rung through her ears.
The man who had his gun pointed down at a defenseless Xander—now sent stumbling back. The bullet wound showing as the blood stained his shirt.
Peeking up from the floor, Xander wide eyes went from the man to Nicole who stood frozen in fear.
Dropping to the floor, the gun fell out of his hand.
Nicole ran over to him, throwing the gun she had to the side. Her hands shaking as she snatched her jacket off trying to put pressure against the wound, trying to stop it. Her nerves shot as hysteria started taking a hold of her. Trembling words wouldn't find their way out as her hands covered in his blood.
"No, no," Nicole kept repeating to herself. "Please," her hand rests on his face. "C-Can you hear me? I'm going to get you help, okay, please." His breaths slowing as his eyes hazed over. "Just hang on,"
Xander held his cut arm as he got up, he heard more voices coming for them. Everyone else was out, and they had to leave before it was too late.
Nicole cried as her tears fell into her now soaked hands. "Just hang on, please."
Grabbing her shoulders, Xander grabs her up. "No, Xander stop! He's hurt!"
"Nicole we have to go!"
"No, he's going to die! I can't leave him, I can't do that!"
Xander spun her around and shook her to get her attention. "Look at me, look!" Nicole wide eyes find his. "He's gone, Nicole.... he is gone."
Nicole head snaps back to see the mans chest no longer rising, his wide eyes still open, the life in his eyes gone.
Xander drags her away as Nicole could only look back to the man who's body laid on the floor.
It was defense, the man was about to kill Xander. Out of instinct she had no choice, she had to. She didn't want to kill him but she wanted to protect Xander from getting killed.
The man was dead. He died because of her, because of her choice to pull that trigger.
She killed him...
End flashback...
Nicole shakes her head. No matter how hard her mind tried to run from it, the images never left. The nightmares never stopped.
Vegh may have been a lot of things but she was right. Slowly, Nicole wasn't getting better. Mistakes she wouldn't make had became reoccurring. The state of mind that she would go into when being sent out on jobs had got to her. When she snapped on Vegh, they were often times. A poison to her mind that she knew would never go away. Owen turned her into what he wanted and she did what he said, but she didn't realize losing herself would be the cost of it all.
A knock on her door.
Nicole lifts up to unlock it, she slid back down the wall.
Walking in the room, Letty looked around before her eyes found Nicole on the floor. She closes the door behind her.
"Hey,"
Nicole says nothing as she continues to hold herself and rock her nerves to calm themselves.
Letty eyes saddened as she slides down the wall next to her. She looks over the young girl who already started to age within the past 6 months. They were into the new year and Nicole had become a good fighter, a nice driver, and loyal to anybody she was out with but Letty saw behind the mask the girl put up.
Other people she wouldn't pay attention to but for some reason she could relate to a child more than anyone in Owen's team.
Vivid memories hit her mind of herself hugging a little girl.
A child....
That same little girls voice who she would hear in her dreams, she could never see her face. So much was a haze but a child called her mom. She had a family out there somewhere. Her dreams were trying to tell her something. And Letty prayed every night for their safety, and for one day to find them.
Maybe that is why she cared for Nicole so much? Having a daughter of her own at one point, those instincts kicked in from the girls age.
Resting a hand on Nicole's back, Letty eyes flickered down to her. "I know you don't want to talk about it." Nicole head shakes. Pulling her into a hug, Letty felt her shaking and holds her tighter, resting her chin on top of her head.
Nicole saw her own chain on her mother neck, the images of Dom flashing through her mind. Holding back her cries, she didn't push Letty away—slowly; Nicole started to hold her back. The two of them stayed in silence.
"I'm going to die here...." Nicole voice cracks.
"No," Letty shakes her head. "You think I would let you die?"
Nicole eyes travel up, Letty pulls back to look down at her. "Xander isn't the only one who has your back around here." Nicole hugs her making Letty smile and rub her back. "Your going to be alright."
Nicole didn't know how right Letty was about that but she would take this moment over everything.
Just knowing her mother was looking out for her, despite not knowing the truth, said a lot....
_____
The next day, London England.....
Xander walked the warehouse and saw Nicole siting in the training room.
Sitting Indian style, she sharpened her old throwing knives as new ones laid out beside her.
"Hey,"
Nicole continues sharpening. "Yeah?"
"I got something to show you, what are you doing?"
"Icing a cake." Nicole stops and look up.
Xander eyes go into sits. "Sarcasm, really?"
Nicole lips twitch a smile as she goes back to her work. "What do you want?"
"I got you something, come on" Xander nods his head.
"What did you get me? It better not be candy that I don't like, but just so happens to be your favorite, so I have to give it to you."
"That is pure coincidence."
"Uh-huh."
"Come on, grumpy."
Giving in with a sigh, Nicole gets up and follows him.
"Where's Letty?"
"Sleeping in." Xander shrugs. "In her words, she doesn't want to go back to Ireland for a while."
"I can second that." Nicole nods. "Are we really about to do a years worth of jobs for this Rhodes guy?"
"Apparently."
"Just to steal some device soon."
"Some device?" Xander brows raised.
"You know what it is?"
"Think of something capable to black out the eyes of another country for twenty four hours."
Nicole stops looking at him crazy. "What?"
"A soldier is blind for one minute and he dies. You blind a country. Hell can happen."
"Who would want something like that?"
Xander shrugs. "Apparently whoever red beard works for," Nicole brow raised. "Rhodes."
"Ah," Nicole nods. "I haven't gotten the chance to ask him, but why didn't Owen say my real name around him?"
"Sometimes its best to keep your secret weapon, a secret."
Nicole scoffs. "I am not a secret weapon."
"Don't think so?" Xander folds his arms, her head shakes. "You fight so well, Jah actually likes you. Took me down a few times but I was under the weather."
Nicole brows pulled. "No you weren't."
"Hush." He waves her off. "You got good aim, your a quick learner. Now you first driving lessons, was hell."
"I said I was sorry!"
"You reversed us back into the computers."
"I was nervous!"
"Yeah, I knew I should have made Letty take the front seat." Xander mumbles. "But on motorcycles, you are a natural."
"You said a monkey would driver it better...."
"This is true, but you have improved." He nods, Nicole head tilts. "The monkey still has you beat."
"Xander," Nicole swats his arm to a laugh from him. Her own missing laughter came out.
"About time you do it."
"Do what?" Nicole walks.
"Laugh." Xander says, Nicole eyes him confused. "You've been to yourself a lot and not saying much."
Nicole smiles. "Worried about me?"
Xander sputters. "Pfft! What-no, no I was just...." Nicole brow raised. "Yeah a little."
Nicole giggles. "You are such a bad liar."
Xander shrugs. "So."
Taking her into the warehouse, they walked over to where his bike stayed but Nicole noticed a midnight black, bike, with a navy blue stripe parked next to his.
"You got a new bike?" Nicole walks over to it. "It's nice!"
"Not mine." Xander leans on the table.
Nicole turns around. "Who-"
"Its yours,"
"No," Nicole looks back at the bike wide before back to Xander. "Are you serious?" She goes over to him. "If your joking I'll run you over with it."
"Yeah," Xander laughs. "I'm serious, easy with the violence."
Nicole jumps. "Oh my gosh!" Going back to the bike she looks it over. "I-How did you get this?"
"I got a garage of them, Nicole. I told my buddy send this one over. Many of them to choose from but I thought you would like this one the best,"
Nicole looks at the bike in awe. "You know me well." Shaking her head slow. "Why'd you do this?"
"Consider it a gift for passing your lessons." Xander folds his arms. "Thought it would be a good looking match for your Charger. Midnight black seems to be your things but the navy blue designs were an add on."
"I love this...." Nicole rubs her hand over the seat, and gets on top of it for a better feel.
Grinning from ear to ear, it had been a while since she smiled from the inside out. A bike had been a gift she always wanted and now she had her very own.
Xander walks over to it. "Well?"
"....Thank you," Nicole looks over at him. "I mean it."
"I also may have heard your birthday will be this year." Xander throws in. "Getting old sport."
"Don't make me run you over."
Xander steps to the side to be on the safe side. "You want to go for a ride?"
"Now?"
He shrugs. "Better time than any. Night time is the best time."
Nicole smiles. "Lets go,"
Xander fives her. "There's the girl I know."
Taking the bikes to the town, Nicole had to admit it was the stress reliever she needed the most.
The only time she didn't have to worry about her life, her family, no one, just riding with no regrets and never looking back to see what was behind her. For once she could let her pain go and feel the freedom she wanted back within herself.
A little race with Xander had left them lost in time as neither realized how late it had gotten.
Dragging her from a dark place had somehow been his gift. Not from pity, just from knowing, and being in her shoes himself.
Bikes parked on the bridge; Nicole looked out at the dark waters streaming underneath. It wasn't a beach but it had been the closest thing to one.
The night view got to her. To be in a beautiful place under the worse conditions. Life had a true way of still kicking you.
Wearing all black, a pair of black boots on her feet and black fitted cargo jacket. Nicole's hair fell down her back—blowing from the breeze that would come and go as it pleased.
Adjusting her rested arms on the ledge, she scoffed at her own thoughts.
"What?"
"Nothing." Nicole head shakes. "I was just wondering what my dad could be doing. Random thoughts I have. Is it bad to wonder if he misses me?"
"Not at all," Xander looks out at the water. "After what you told me, I know he does. Your his kid, Nicole." her eyes drift down. "No matter who Owen calls you," Nicole looks over at him. "Don't forget that."
Nicole smiles. "I won't."
"Good," His brows pull. "Those contacts you got are so freaking creepy."
"Shut up," Nicole rolls her eyes. Xander chuckles, turning his gaze up. "So did you really buy me that bike for my birthday?"
"Nah," He smirks. "Not even for you passing your lessons either."
"So why?"
"I remember you said that's what you really wanted one day," Xander shrugs. "Also, after what happened in New York, you haven't been the same."
"I ha-"
"Nicole." Xander gives her a look to stop her lie and seal her mouth shut. "I haven't seen you be happy or smile since then. Instead I watch you black out, snap, or just get angry. You cry when you stare out into space to long....and I know why," Nicole swallows the lump in her throat, as her gaze falls to her hand. "I just wanted to see you actually happy again. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have..."
"Don't," Nicole smile trembles. "We know it would have happened one way or another. Even if it wasn't for you it would have been some other way." Some tears slipped but she ignores them and takes her gaze back to the water. "Thank you for doing this. It didn't heal everything but it helped."
"I'll take that." Xander nods. Taking a deep breath to himself, he decided to rip the band-aid off. "You know that Owen's thinking about taking you off some jobs for the next few months."
"He doesn't need to do that."
"Nicole, your going to get yourself killed." Xander tells her. "Your mind is not into it, we can't make any mistakes with what we do. You know that. Just rest your mind."
"I don't want to," Nicole brows pull. "I will be fine and I don't need any of you to coddle me like I'm-"
"A child." Xander reminds her. "Do you not see it?" Nicole looks down. "Your not thinking like a child anymore, Nicole."
"No and maybe that was my problem." Nicole says. "I'll learn to get over it."
"Death is not that easy."
"Is this why you dragged me out here?" Nicole head tilts. "To talk to me about this?"
"No and yes. You need to hear this, because maybe you will wake up and address it. If not it just gets worse. Those thoughts will lead you to a dark place."
"If I die, so what?" Nicole asks as she lifts up. "Maybe sometimes I want to,"
"Is that why your really doing this?" Xander slowly lifts, Nicole looks away from him. "Nicole."
Nicole inhales, walking. "I'm going back."
Xander pulls her back. "I don't think so."
Nicole snatches her arm back. "If I want to be touched, I'll tell you so." She gets in his face. "Don't do that again."
"You need to relax."
"You, need to stop trying to do this with me. I don't want to be taken care of and protected. I can do that myself."
"It's not about that," Xander head shakes. "It's about you planning a damn suicide mission, every time you walk out that warehouse for a job. I knew that's what you were doing, I just didn't want to believe that."
"I'm wrong for having those thoughts or wanting that sometimes?" Nicole eyes go into slits. "You act like you never had those! Your going to tell me you took a life and skipped off happy for the rest of your life?"
"No, but I had to address it, or the guilt will do something to you. You can't run from it Nicole."
"If I wanted my father here, I would have called him."
"I'm trying to help you,"
"Here's some good advice for you, stop." Nicole warns him with her eyes. "I am not your problem."
"No, your mine." Owen says behind her.
Nicole froze, her brows pulling together—she slowly looks over her shoulder to see him standing there; hands in his jacket.
"Wh-What is this?" Nicole backs up, looking between both men. "Why are you here?"
"Getting the truth," Owen nods to Xander. "He told me you might be having these thoughts. That you were slowly leading yourself to this. Thought I find out for myself."
Nicole head snaps to Xander. "You-You set me up?"
"I had to," Xander admits. "I'm sorry-"
Nicole smacks him across the face.
Taking it in, he nods in already seeing that coming from the minute he proposed the plan to Owen.
"Saw that coming," he rubs his chin, looking back to her.
"Your lucky I didn't do anything else, you are supposed to be on my side." Nicole says. "Why would you do this?"
"Don't you pull that card, you didn't give me a choice. You wouldn't talk about it."
"If he wasn't on your side." Owen walks up to them. "He would have kept his mouth shut and let you get you get killed out there. Xander, you can go back....I need to talk to Nicole alone."
Xander walks but stops and looks back to Nicole who wouldn't even make eye contact with him.
"I'm sorry, Nicole."
Glaring, her eyes narrowed to give him a look that could freeze him where he stood.
Xander takes his bike and leaves them.
Nicole scoffs to herself at falling right into the trap.
Owen held his hands behind his back. "Well."
"Well what?" Nicole snaps.
"You want to die, Nicole?"
"I wasn't talking right, I-"
"Yes you were," Owen nods slow. "You have been purposely making sure your not eating. Explains why when you train with Jah, your to weak, or tired. Then when your out there you get more reckless and almost end up killed. I have important jobs coming up in a few months and next year will be the biggest one yet, I need you to be at your best. Not this."
"What? I don't live up to your killer status?" Nicole asks. "Get bent. This is stupid. I do what you ask me, I take out the people you tell me. Now your telling me that me doing everything you want me to do is wrong? What do you want from me?"
"I want, for you to deal with it." Owen makes it clear. "Your going to learn to, and not by some suicde guilt. Nobody has time to make sure you don't get killed every five minutes. Me and the others are leaving for a while....and your leaving for elsewhere."
"What?" Nicole steps up. "Why can't I go?"
"I don't need you screwing up anything out there."
"I won't!"
"I'm not taking that chance."
"If my mother is going with you, I am going." Nicole tells him. "You said to work for you, you said nothing about splitting us up. That wasn't apart of the deal."
"I'm doing it for your own good." Owen says. "You can rejoin us, when he thinks you are well enough and in the right mind to be apart of this team again."
"You can't do that." Her voice cracks. "My mo-"
"Will be fine without you." Owen stops her. "Xander already agreed to do that if I promised to get you some help." Nicole eyes softened within hearing that. "You need to learn some things on your own and I can't actually leave you on your own. So I have someone for you to stay with. The only person I trust to give you too...."
"....Who?" Nicole asks him.
Headlights from a car pulling close to the bridge got their attention ahead.
Leaving the car running, the car door opens as an older man steps out. Closing the door behind him, he fixes his jacket—walking across the bridge.
Nicole eyes went into slits from the blaring headlights. Only until he got closer did she recognize the face that had been in a picture of Owen's.
"You...."
"Meet my brother," Owen nods to him. "Deckard Shaw."
Nicole's shock goes from Owen to his brother.
Deckard gaze flickered to her. "Well now, this is going to be fun isn't it." her gaze hardened to his smirk. "Nice to finally meet you, Nicole..."
____
Remember that little surprise? Deckard Shaw!
In my old story, Nicole had time with Deckard and I never showed why or how. So I decided to do so for this one. The next chapter will be their only one but it will be a good one and help A LOT! As she will be spending a lot of time with him and it helps for Furious 7. Remember when I asked who will be Shaw brother that Nicole will be the closest to?
Time to take your votes.
Reminder. We are THREE chapters away from Fast & Furious 6. The last two will be the final time skip as Nicole will officially be 15 then and we will be going into the sixth movie.
ARE WE READY? I am.
THANK YOU FOR 2.2K favs! & WE have finally hit 30 CHAPTERS!
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Chapter Thirty- Uncle Deckard Shaw