"I got a call last night for a big gig. I'm meeting a few guys outside Chicago tonight. They told me to pack a bag for a few days." I explain to intelligence as I lean against my desk. All their eyes are trained on me intently. The look that spreads across jays face doesn't go unnoticed.

"Hell no. We can't keep track of you for a few days, there's too many ways this can go wrong." His brows are knitted tightly together as worry consumes his features, his eyes dart toward voight seemingly hoping he will back him up.

Voight said nothing, no one said a word.

"I can do it. Set up a few wires in my clothes, car, phone. It'll be fine." My eyes slowly meet Jay's, "I've got this."

In my mind, there's not a single reason I can't go through with this. I have to, for the girls. If this plan fails, all this damage has no meaning.

"You sure, Quinn?" Antonio questions, worry also consuming his features. I have to be confident, so they're confident in me.

"I'm sure." I confirm. My eyes glued to antonio's.

***

"Ashley.." Jay's soft voice catches my attention as everyone leaves for the locker room, only leaving the two of them downstairs. My brows furrow and I turn to face him. "I want to apologise again, I'm just— shit scared to be honest with you. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you."

"I'll be okay, I promise." I offer him a soft smile trying to easy his nerves. Even just a little bit. I've seen that look in his eyes before, it shows any time I'm in danger.

"If you need anything, you even feel the slightest bit uncomfortable. Say your safe word, press the panic button on your keys and I'll be there." Jay says, we seem to stare at each other for a moment. Both of our hearts aching for what's ahead.

Jay takes my hand in his, gently rubbing with the pad of his thumb. A sad look across his stunning blue eyes. I trace the freckles across his cheeks with my eyes and wish everything could just be simple. Jay leans forward, gently resting his forehead against mine. Tension rises between us, however this time it's not sexual. It's longing, it's worry, uncertainty even.

"I love you.." Jay whispers.

My heart drops, throat drying in half a second. My wide eyes meet his putting the slightest amount of distance between us. I can't bring myself to say anything, not yet. So I press my lips against his. As our lips connect a thousand words are said without even trying. My heart pounds, head throbs and as I pull away I can barely decipher my own emotions.

"I can't say it back. Not yet, but after all this is over. Tell me that again, Okay?" My voice shakes as I speak, nausea spiralling through my stomach. He nods. And that's it.

I turn walking toward my car, needing a moment to myself before going undercover. What do i do? I take a few deep breaths, utterly shocked at jays words and the way I responded. I don't even know if I'm capable of love.

Getting in my car, i push the overwhelming emotions away and focus on becoming Kelsey. Only Kelsey.

"Ash, are you ready?" Kevs voive scrambled through the small radio as i secure my seatbelt.

"Yeah." I mutter into my radio. My heart races as I speed out of Intelligence's carpark. I set myself up to follow a few cars I recognise down a few main roads.

It takes a while, but when I find them. I follow. Following them a few miles out side of chicago. My undercover phone rings, reaching for it on the passenger seat i answer, "Kelsey"

"You have an opportunity today. You're leading a group down to Iowa city. Along with cargo, crossing state lines will be difficult. Hurry up." A voice orders down the phone.

"I won't disappoint."

***

I follow the cars to what seems to be an abandoned warehouse, heart pounding as I take note of the 1970s dodge charger parked beside 5 other cars. My stomach churns as I tuck my phone into the pocket of my low rise jeans and get out the car. I watch as the two men that I followed also get out of their cars.

Out of the other cars gets John, Dante and Nick. My heart drops, hairs on the back of my neck standing tall as another man gets out... of the Dodge Charger.

My eyes fall on my best friend.. Dominic Toretto. My skin feels as if it's been set alight, body burning with anxiety. I have to hold it back, I cannot show any emotion.

"Kelsey, This is Dom. You two are riding together with jośe and Nick. You'll take the cargo to the location I've sent to your phone in Iowa City. There's people waiting there for you, one of you will take a loaded truck they have waiting and take the backroads all the way back here." The rough beats of my heart almost drown out the sound of his voice.

"Alright." I swallow back my emotion. I watch as two men approach my car, opening my trunk and filling it.

Dom approaches me, fiery emotions rushing through my veins as I attempt to bottle them. I can't say anything, I can't react. My car is bugged. Intelligence are listening, they can't know i know Dom. this was not the plan, not what i agreed to. Hobbs lied.

"Let's get a move on then." I nod toward my car. Dom follows close behind.

I watch as Dom gets in my passenger seat while I get in the drivers side. I can't say anything, not that it matters. Because I wouldn't even know what to say.

I instantly push my key into the ignition, turning it the engine revs. I watch as the other men leave the car park before leaving myself. The tension in the car growing with every second that passes.

I could hear the sigh as Dom went to speak. I quickly raise my finger to my lips before shaking my head and pointing at a small device plugged into my car. The drive remained silent as Dom fell back into his seat. The tension continues to build, Mile after Mile it grows worse and worse until Dom snaps.

Dom reaches for the listening device connected to the console of my car, pulling it and instantly breaking it before taking my phone and powering it off. Anger rattles my bones, why does everything have to happen all at once? Do i not qualify for a break?

"You've been here all these years?!" The pure sound of Dom's voice brings back wave after wave of memories. I take a deep breath focusing on driving.

"Yeah." Now, I haven't been this lost for words in a while. I have no idea what to say, or do.

"What are you doing here?" i ask before hearing my name being called over the small radio device, Kevin... reaching for it i bring it up to my lips, "I'm okay, don't panic."

I place the radio back, feeling Dom's eyes on me the entire time. I know I hurt him, all of them even. They have every right to be angry, and hurt. I can't bring myself to look at him.

"We came to help Hobbs. Then found out you were here. We needed to know you were okay. You're still family.... We thought something happened to you" Dom says. My clammy hands grip the wheel tighter as waves of guilt consume me.

"I'm fine. I'm a cop now." I can hear him scoff from beside me. He can see through my lies better than anyone, he's always been able to do that. Changing the topic I ask, "how is everyone?"

"Good. Tej was trying to recreate the gods eye to find you, they never gave up on you. We never stopped looking." His voice is different. I haven't heard that tone before.

"I'm sorry, but you just have to trust that I had my reasons for leaving." I sigh keeping up with the car in front. I'm uncomfortable, more than I should be. Nothing about this is okay.

"You had your reasons?" He scoffs, "to up and leave without a trace in the middle of the night? Completely cut us all off. Not even let us know that you were alive?"

I can hear the anger and frustration in his voice, i understand. But this is not the way to talk about this. Silence consumes the car as I refuse to respond, only taking the phone back and powering it back on. I hold it up to my lips and talk into it, "I'm okay, haven't been made. I got paired up, everything's fine."

***