Hobbs.
Panic encases my bones in icy tendrils. His name triggers all the memories I've pushed so far back in my mind. The name of a man I had once considered family, which now fills me with dread. I haven't heard that name aloud in six years, I haven't spoke to him in six years.

I do what I always do, ignore, avoid and pretend. He hasn't called, at least not in my mind. If he really needs me, he wouldn't just call. If he needs to talk to me, he can... after this case is solved. If i can help these girls being trafficked that is my priority, Hobbs can wait. He already has for six years.

I drop my Nissan skyline off at the Garage after it having been stored away in a storage unit for a while. My stomach swirls, churning with anxiety. Is everyone alive? Dom? Brian?

Walking around a run down corner store, i fiddle with the silver cross around my neck. The protein bars across the shelves catch my eyes, picking one up I read the label 'cookie dough flavour; 16 grams of protein'

Walking to the cashier at the front of the store it almost felt painstakingly slow waiting for the call indicating my cars ready for pick up and the nitrous has been installed. I can't wait to feel the adrenaline again, the feeling of the seat almost hugging my body as the car screams from going 160MPH. I miss it. The instant relief that comes with the sixth gear in a car.

"Just that" i smile placing the protein bar on the counter in-front of the store clerk. He nods scanning the bar. I unravel the silver chain from around my fingers and place a two dollar bill on the counter. "Keep the change"

I pocket the bar and walk out of the store, my set up undercover apartment is only a few blocks from the garage, so I walk. Seconds tick by with no call and I'm just itching to get back in the car. To feel what I used to feel.

Brian's car. Skyline R34. I wait in my apartment for the call that it's ready. My heart pulsing with apprehension. I usually stick to my PD issues SUV or Jays truck. Getting back in Brian's car is scary. But I couldn't be looking forward to it more.

**

When the painful wait was over, and i could finally return to the garage. My body floods with adrenaline and excitement, maybe I hadn't previously realised how much I truly missed the feeling of racing. I feel like a child on Christmas morning.

Returning to the garage it only took twenty minutes for me to be in my car. The skyline seats perfectly moulded to my body the same as they had to Brian all those years ago. It's scary really how things change, how families develop. Slowly leaving the garage i pull up to an empty road and what seems like a quarter mile straight ahead of me.

My body jerks with adrenaline, power bubbling through my muscles and a pounding heart. I missed this, so much more than I thought. It almost feels like being whole again. Like nothings changed. Being in this car, reminds me of everything, my friends, family.

No cameras, no wire. Just me and the car.

Taking a deep breath i press the gas. Everything feels like second nature, muscle memory. The sound of the car revving, the control over the car, the smell of freshly installed NOS, this is home. To me.

My body presses firmly against the back of the seat due to the speed as I switch gears to six. My breath is taken in seconds as reach for the red NOS button. Excitement bubbling from deep within as o press it. all of my worries wither away as the speed reminds me of every happy moment that's ever happened in my life. Everything slows, the memories, the car. And it when comes to a halt, joy radiates from me.

I'm ready, more than ready to go undercover. I'm ready to be Kelsey. I hate the name as much as I hate my own, but I've always been an actor this isn't any different. Pulling the undercover CPD phone from the glove box. I turn it on activating the voice controls.

"50-21 ocean. Anyone there?" I speak into the phone/radio device.

"Copy" Kevin's voice echoes through the transmitter. I can feel the wide smile across my face. I'm ready for a race later.

"Cameras and wires in the area ready for tonight?" I ask, testing the waters. I know if I get the opportunity tonight I can make a good impression.

"Yeah. I'll be on scene, far back. Jay will be ready on a rooftop if anything goes sideways" kevin explains as I pull up on the street outside my undercover apartment

"Don't move in unless it's on my signal. I might have to play these guys for a few nights." I know how this works, I've been a part of it. Brian did it years ago, to me and Dom.

***

My eyes flicker toward a barely noticeable dark shadow upon a building as I drive past it. Jay. My heart warms as I pull up beside a car I've seen many times before. A Mazda RX-7. While admiring the car I catch a glimpse of the driver, a tall good looking man with long dark hair. Getting out my car, I almost instantly notice the difference between the race scene here and other places I've been. This seems different. Everyone here seems a lot less welcoming compared to what I'm used to.

"What's a pretty lady like yourself doing here?" The words take me by surprise as I turn to find a small group of men, reminding me that I am the only woman here.

"I want to race" i shrug leaning against my car. I won't dare let their predatory eyes get to me, I've met too many men that believe women should bow down to them. I will never do that, not for any man. Just the look on their faces triggered familiar voices in my head, I can hear both Dom and Brian telling me to beat them, smoke em.

"Why would any of us waste our time racing a girl?" Respect has always meant more to me than any other reward, I guess I got that from Brian.

These men already seem like ring leaders to me. Creepy misogynists are more than enough to raise my suspicions. However I brush them off with a seductive soft chuckle. Another thing I know about men like this, they always wanna show off.

"You win, you get my car." I shrug, straight to the point as always. Blunt as always.

"A quarter mile for your car?" The man before me smirks already overconfident in his racing ability without even knowing what he's up against. I cannot wait to humble him.

I nod, and all of his friends cheer as he makes his way over to his car. A smirk tugs at my lips as I try to stay nonchalant while walking back to my skyline. Pulling up to race line beside the man I'd challenge is adrenaline pumping. As I take a breath preparing, a familiar figure flickers past my vision. My mouth dries at the sight. Yet I shake my head returning my attention to the task at hand.

All I have to do is win this race. And earn their respect. Then i hopefully can get in with whoever is trafficking these girls. And what leader is gonna pass up the opportunity to use a precision driver?

"You sure you can handle this princess?" The man calls out his car window sending me a wink in the process. I roll my eyes in return.

"You should be asking yourself that question." I chuckle, smirking as I secure my hands on the steering wheel. My eyes shift to the pole sitter in seconds, my eyes focus on the barely clothed woman waiting for the right moment to go. I take a deep breath one of my hands going to the gear stick, ready.

My heartbeat increasing as my clammy hand squeezes the wheel. Then, the pole sitter initiates the race. The sound of powerful engines explodes within my ears. I push the pedal down, getting sucked deeply into my seat from the sudden acceleration. Adrenaline floods my body. My vision closing in on the road before me,  as euphoria sets in. This is the freedom I have craved.

The speed increases, my seat almost swallowing my body. My peripheral vision blurs, everything going almost too fast. However the world feels quiet like this. As if I'm moving too fast to notice the horrors that change this world. It's euphoric. Looking to the side, I'm still in line with the other car. I know I can beat him, it's too easy. With both hands tight on the wheel i take another breath. I change gears to 5th, a nice smooth shift. 6th. Gear. Another smooth shift.

The finish line approaching, i wanna let him think he has it, just for a second. I make sure not to press for my NOS just yet. 1...2...3... he pressed it too early. The car beside me speeds up, too early, too quick.

Watching as he is about a cars length in-front of me, I can't help but chuckle. I focus on the road waiting for the perfect moment. And when it arrived, 3...2...1...

NOS. The air is knocked from my lungs. The increase in speed causing me to pass both him. And the finish line. I win.

Letting my foot up from the gas, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding in as my car comes to a stop. The smile on my face bigger than it has been in years as I get out my car to the watchers cheers. When the man passes the finish line and gets out the car the look on his face almost makes me burst out laughing.

"Well done." He scoffs holding his keys out for me to take, yet that wasn't part of the deal. A smug smile tugs but I shake my head.

"Nah man, respects enough for me." I nod, Brian's morals live within me, even six years later. I hold my hand out for him to shake and he does.

"What's your name?" He asks letting go of my hand.

"Kelsey, you?" I respond.

"John. Let's grab a beer, no one here's beaten me before so I think that deserves one." Of course I agree almost instantly, easier than I thought.

***

"You're not from around here are you?" John asks as he sits down on his couch opposite me. I shake my head taking a sip from the bottle of beer he handed me. The team are listening i remind myself, I am Kelsey, not ash, not Ashley.

"LA, technically" i nod.

"You a street racer back there? Or did you do other things?" He questions, i take a Breuer moment to think. Unsure of what to reveal to him.

"One of the best. Learnt everything I know from my best friends. And well, I did a few things for extra money back then. But it's hard to find jobs around here when your skill set consists only of cars and guns" i chuckle taking another sip of beer.

"Now I think we're gonna get along, how do you feel about meeting me and a few friends tomorrow night for a few beers after racing?" He asks smirk tugging at his lips.

"Sounds good, here again?" I ask.

***

"Now ash, that was cool as hell! I've never seen someone drive like that."Kevin exclaims as i walk into the bullpen. I knew he liked cars, it's quite refreshing to speak to someone who knows a bit about them sometimes.

"Thanks Kev." I smile walking over to my desk. Jays eyes linger on me, I can feel his unease from across the room. Something about all of this is really bothering him.

"There's no way that was your first race" Kev chuckles with Adam, i only shrug in response as I sit at my desk. I notice an envelope on top of my computer keyboard, my name scribbles across it.

"Good job last night ash. We have ID's on the four men that were seen with our main racer John. Ash is going to stay undercover and see if she can get in with these guys." Voight says before returning to his office.

I can't help but zone out, the words from the team around me draining. My focus shifts down to the envelope, taking it in my hands as I carefully open it. Removing the contents of the envelope makes my blood run cold