THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS
CHAPTER THREE

Ellie didn't hesitate when she got into Brian's car; in a way, all their previous interactions had strengthened her trust in him. Ellie even knew he could escape the cops since he'd proven to be a pretty good driver—even if he had lost his car. At least the cops showing up helped Brian escape the awkward and embarrassing moment of walking home.

Now, she was just worried for the rest of her family. Hoping they all made it home, okay. Especially Dom, since most cops always look for him when they hear about illegal street races. In a way, he was always the main target when they crowd the streets.

Cops suddenly surround the place, and it seems like they each pick a target. However, just like always, the drivers find a way to avoid or hide from them. Ellie looked out the side windows and the back one to confirm that all her crew's cars weren't still there. She let out a sigh and leaned back in her seat as Brian successfully avoided the cops since no one was chasing after them. He had driven along the dark alleys and had managed to hide and avoid all cops.

Brian turned to look at her for a second and cleared his throat before asking, worried about her expression, "You okay?"

She turns to look at him, seeing his unsure eyes looking for any signs of injury even if they did linger on her bare legs, "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for that. I was sure they were gotta get me."

Their eyes met, and Brian smiled, relieved that she hadn't gotten hurt or caught, "Happy to help, besides wouldn't want someone as pretty as you to spend the night in jail."

Ellie turns to him with a small blush and lightly pushes his arm, causing Brian to chuckle, "Brian, now clearly, isn't the time to flirt." Gesturing to the area around them.

The blue-eyed man shakes his head, with an innocent smile and shrugs, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Ellie playfully rolls her eyes but looks around the car for a second, then turns her body to face the blonde. "I'm sorry about your car, Brian. I'll talk to Dom-"

Without thinking and unconsciously Brian shakes his head and takes a hand off the steering wheel; placing it on top of her thigh. Saying firmly, "Don't. He won fair and square,"

Gulping Ellie takes in his words but can't help but focus on the fact that Brian was touching her in an intimate place since his hand was high on her thigh. No one had ever touched her there, but Ellie didn't mind since it was him.

His touch wasn't unwanted or made her feel uncomfortable in any way. It felt warm and just right.

"Is it too soon to say, I told you so." Ellie teased with a playful smile, causing Brian to chuckle. It was something only Ellie would say in a situation like this.

Still not realizing his action since he was driving still managing to avoid any cops. He jokes, "You can say it. I'll never not listen to you again."

"Good, I'm always right." Ellie jokes, with a smile.

Brian shakes his head with a smile, before commenting on her previous statement, "Either way thanks for offering but, I wouldn't want your brother to hate me more than he already does."

In reality, if anyone could convince Dom to let Brian keep his car it would only be Ellie or Mia. It wouldn't be easy but it was possible. The older brother has always had a soft spot for his sisters and would do anything for them. Brian somehow knew that but didn't want to take advantage or even look as if he was taking advantage of Ellie. He lost fair and square and even knew that possibility from the start.

The words made Ellie chuckle, knowing the truth in them. After all, her brother did ban him from the market and cafe. Following his lead, Ellie wrapped her hand around his wrist and squeezed lightly. "He doesn't hate you. Just strongly dislikes you." She joked with a giggle.

However, that was the moment Brian realized where his hand was currently located and his blue eyes widened for a second. Turning to see her, looking out the front window. Not upset or uncomfortable about his hand placement.

That made Brain smile, glad he hadn't overstepped in any way unconsciously. Things have truly changed since their first meeting. He fully believed Ellie wasn't a big fan of his initially, but he slowly turned that around with every interaction.

Before he could say anything about it, he saw Ellie lean forward and her eyes widened. "Wait, Brian!" The brunette yelled, causing the blonde to concentrate forward "Look, it's Dom!"

Brian quickly sees a figure running and takes his hand off Ellie and steps on the gas pedal with both hands wrapped around the steering wheel. He begins to drive faster hoping to get there before the cops do.

Ellie looks behind the seat and notices the back side is full with the NOS and no way they can get Dom if she's in the front side. Brian sees her worried expression and immediately knows what she's thinking.

"Hop on here," Brian gestures to the middle center console, Ellie immediately complies, taking off her seatbelt as they get closer to Dom.

It's an awkward position but there is no other option, Brian immediately helps her adjust and pulls her legs between his legs. Her arms go behind the head seats as she studies herself so her body doesn't go forward or backward.

Ellie notices Brian looking a bit too distracted looking at her legs, she touches his head turning him forward softly, "Look later Brian, focus on the road now."

He chuckles before pulling forward in front of Dom, causing Dom to look surprised to not only see Brian but also his younger sister. "Get in!"

"God Ellie. I thought Letty had you." Dom mumbled more to himself than her. But everyone had heard him clearly. Ellie gives him a reassuring smile, placing a hand on his arm for a second, "Don't worry. Brian had my back."

The words made Brian smile proudly, knowing that Ellie trusted him. Dom noticed the action, raised an eyebrow, and gave him a side-eye. He also couldn't help but notice Ellie's legs resting in between Brian's as he drove. But chooses not to say anything or tease his sister.

Dom was still unsure if he should put his and his sister's freedom in the hands of this stranger but had to give him credit for already getting Ellie out of trouble once. 

But that didn't stop Dom just feeling grateful that Brian had kept himself and his sister out of handcuffs. His early words were true, Letty thought that Dom had taken her, and Dom thought that Letty had her. So just thinking about the fact that they both practically left her to the cops made him angry with himself for not checking. So Brian really was in his good graces now.

Brian dodged multiple cars and smoothly drove around them. His hand goes in between Ellie's leg to the gear stick every once in a while.

They made a large turn that Ellie had to make sure and hold on tight. "oh shit." she mumbles as she watched the cop crash into a car behind them.

Two more cop cars stop in front of them, hoping to stop the car. But that doesn't stop Brian. Instead, he drives around them, once again Ellie has to hold on since she has no seatbelt. "Ellie lean down!" Brian yells as he sees the hill approaching.

Ellie leaned down quickly, trusting his words as Brian sped over a hill, the car going up for a moment before hitting the ground roughly. Both Brian and Dom's eyes immediately go to the brunette who is brushing hair out of her face.

"You okay?" Dom asks looking at Ellie's face carefully and sighs in relief when she doesn't show a hint of pain.

"Yeah, I'm good." Ellie mumbles before looking at Brian who was already looking at her, "Thanks for the heads up." Brian simply smiles at her before looking at the road again.

When they finally lost the cops and Brian slowed down, Dom took the time to talk.

"You're the last person in the world I expected to show up," Dom says, looking through the side mirror still on the edge. Before glancing at Ellie, who gave him a pointed look. She knew Dom wasn't too fond of Brian. "Especially with my sister."

It was true, Dom had almost gotten him fired, banned him from the market, beat him in a race, humiliated him in front of everyone, AND took his car all in the span of one day. Brian had no reason to help them.

(A/N: not sure about the timeline but to me it's one day. Since one scene is daytime and the other nighttime. Correct me if I'm wrong, lol)

"Yeah, well, I thought if I got in your good graces, you might let me keep my car." Brian shrugs with a small smile catching Ellie's brown eyes for a moment, "And besides, what was I supposed to do, leave her to the cops?"

Ellie rolls her eyes, leaning her head on Dom's seat, "Many would have," Thinking about some people who don't particularly like Dom.

Dom looks at her with a reassuring look, but shakes his head at Brian, "You are in my good graces, but you ain't keeping your car."

Brian stares at him for a moment, going quiet before looking up at Ellie. They shared a look before he looked forward again. Ellie was just happy that no cops were chasing them anymore.

"Does this mean he isn't banned from the cafe?" Ellie asks innocently, ignoring the pointed look Dom gives her. "Not the time, Ellie."

Ellie lets out an exaggerated sigh but continues to look around the area and listen to the conversation they have.

"You drive like you've done this before." Dom was a bit impressed with his driving, Brian managed to escape the cops successfully without breaking a sweat. It made Dom curious about who Brian really was. Especially considering, Ellie looked very interested in him.

"What are you, a wheelman?" Dom interrogated, assuming the worst.

"Dom," Ellie warned, not wanting her brother to scare Brian off with his interrogation. Dom glanced at her but didn't take her warring to heart. Ellie rolled her eyes and led sideways against Brian's seat.

"Nah," Brian answers bluntly, keeping his focus on the road but not exactly going anywhere specifically, just straight. While Dom kept his eyes on the blonde, observing for any signs of guilt.

"You boost cars?" Dom wants to know more about the guy who just saved him and his sister. Ellie rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything, kind of wanting to know the answer.

"No never," Brian says, putting both hands on the wheel and tightening them, trying not to say the wrong thing. Dom doesn't believe him, there is no way Brian was able to escape the cops like that on his first try.

Even Ellie at the answer tilted her head, there was no way Brian drove like this without having some sort of connection. If so, then that would be very surprising.

"Ever done time?" Dom asks and at that question, Ellie finally groans again.

"Dom!" Ellie groaned, at this point, Dom was embarrassing her with all the questions. Yes, she wanted to know the answers but not like this. Ellie also didn't like how Dom was treating Brian like the bad guy when he just saved them both from jail.

Brian smiles and touches her leg to reassure her in a way, "It's okay Ellie," Before turning his attention back to Dom, "Couple of overnighers. No big deal."

Dom smirked, nodding at the answer, "What about the two years in juvie for boosting cars?" he asked smugly, catching him in the lie. Ellie sighs, 'And there's the connection'.

Brian looked at him with a serious look, a bit shocked that he knew that.

"Nah, Tucson, right?" Dom asks, but he already knows the answer. Ellie facepalm, finally understanding what the whole point was, trying to catch Brian on a lie.

Brian gives a nod but doesn't say anything, just keeping his eyes on the road. A part of him didn't want Ellie to know about his imperfect past but that was too late now. Brian just hoped that didn't change her opinion of him.

But unknowing to him, Ellie could care less about his so-called record. Given her family, the girl had no room to judge. Just because her loved ones had been to jail, doesn't mean she loved them any less. Hell, it made her miss her brother so much, Ellie practically loved him more when he finally came home after two long years.

"Yeah, I had Jesse run a profile on you, Brian Earl Spiner." They both look at each other, Brian is trying hard not to show the wrong emotion but it was hard. Dom knowing this information about him was very unexpected. "He'll find anything on the web, anything about anyone."

Brian shakes his head, not expecting Dom to do an online checkup on him. "So why bullshit?"

Brian looked out the window for a moment before turning the conversation on him, "So what about you two?" he asked looking at Dom.

The car was dead silent for a second as Ellie reached forward and grabbed her brother's larger hand in confront, knowing Dom didn't like talking about his jail time.

Dom looks at his sister, who smiles at him before he answers, "Ellie's got a clean record, and I hope to keep it that way," it comes out more like a warring before he continues, "Me, two years in Lompoc. I'll die before I go back."

Ellie squeezed his hand again in support before letting go, Dom going to jail wasn't a good memory for the sisters. Especially the older one who cried for days when her brother was arrested, and during all the holidays. It was hell for the girls and they just hoped he wouldn't leave again. Given their 'work', their whole team had all done overnighters but Dom was the only one to do real-time. Well almost all of them, Ellie and Mia both had clean records, thanks to Dom.

Brian looks at him surprised, once again not expecting that reply. Silence filled the car, Brian taking in his words. Ellie's also shocked that Dom would open up to Brian like that since Brian was practically a stranger to him. Brian touched Ellie's leg again for a moment, making sure she was still steady.

Brian felt guilty, he already knew this about the Toretto's but had to act and pretend like he didn't. He had read Dom's file so many times, and at this point, it was memorized. The same can be said about Eliana Toretto, except hers was clean. It just had based facts like her birthday and the date she got her license. Brian also spent a lot of time looking at her surveillance photos before he met her.

However, he quickly snapped out of it when he heard Ellie's voice.

"Oh shit, guys we've got a problem heading our way," She groaned as bike drivers surrounded Brian's car. Knowing exactly who they were and not liking the idea of seeing Johnny again. Ellie watched as Johnny Trans gang surrounded Brian's car with guns. Dom looked at Ellie and shook his head, "Stay next to me. Got it?"

Ellie nods, but not wanting to seem like a child to Brian, says, "I can protect myself just fine,"

"Ellie," The older brother warred, causing Ellie to roll her eyes. So much for trying to act mature, "Fine."

Brian looks at the siblings, curious about their interaction, not yet knowing what the issue is, "What?"

"It's gonna be a long-ass night, that's what," Dom tells him, cursing himself for not recognizing the streets earlier. Lance drives to Brian's window, a gun pointing in their direction, signing Brian to follow them.

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NOTES: First update on the new year! I hope you all liked the added interaction. (Outfit is the same as the last chapter)

As the book continues, I truly do hope to change things up and add new scenes between Brain and Ellie. So stay tuned for that!

However, still debating whether or not to add Ellie in the second movie. Or doing the 5-year time jump. Thoughts?

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me to stay updated on when I'll update.

Word count: 2821