Chapter 1 Blacktop Obsession Retake

"Han, did you make it there yet?" Shayde Sutton asked, as she held the cell phone to her ear with her shoulder as she set up her Sparco vendor booth at Race Wars. It was early morning midday and already hot. She pulled up her hair in a messy bun and smoothed out her black tank top that was covered by a button up open shirt. She continued to set up as she waited for her long time best friend, Han to reply back to her.

"No, not there yet. Stopped by your storage facility to drop the cars. Won't be at the compound for a few days." Han noted as he worked on unhooking a hitch for the trailer.

"How are things there?" She asked, squinting from the sun being in her honey brown eyes.

"Quiet. Very quiet. I thought he'd be here." Han looked around.

"Nope, he left for a business trip this morning. You might find madness around though." Shayde sighed wistfully.

"What's wrong?" Han asked.

"Nothing." Shayde lied, putting the stickers and things for sale on the table to keep herself busy as she waited for all the racers to start waking up. It was race wars, things around here did not get started until late in the afternoon because of all the late night parties the night before. She had just gotten to town to set up this morning.

"Don't lie to me. I've known you too long." Han shook his head.

"True." Shayde agreed with a laugh. "I'm worried about Kaidyn, I didn't give her a phone because of the hacking thing but she promised she'd meet me here and she's not here. I am just hoping she didn't get picked up by someone." Shayde chewed on her lip.

"I'm sure it's just Kaidyn being Kaidyn. She wouldn't be her without making you worry or being late." Han laughed. "She didn't need a phone because she'd just get in trouble again for hacking and wind up back in jail." Han consoled her.

"I hope it's just her being her. She would probably walk rather than call me." Shayde grumbled.

"You can always call Hector and have him go look for her." Han suggested.

"No, he's got things to get done before we meet up with him." Shayde shook her head absentmindedly.

"Uh oh. I got trouble." Han grinned.

"What's wrong?" Shayde asked, concerned.

"Just madness. Not very happy. I guess I woke him up." Han laughed.

"I wish I was there. I'd trade the madness for the chaos anyday." She promised.

"I don't know. Madness seems to be a very bad nightmare from what I hear from the storage owner." Han laughed.

"I can one up those stories any day with the chaos." Shayde promised. "I gotta go. I got people coming. Finally they are starting to wake up around here." Shayde said, straightening the T-shirts on the table as she looked at the cars coming in the gates. The early morning California dust left a haze but the rumble of the cars were like they were racing right beside her tent.

"You sure you will be okay?" Han asked, looking backwards over his shoulder as he started to pull a car off of the trailer.

"Yeah, I'm good. I will be better once Kaidyn gets her ass here." Shayde promised.

"Tell her I am giving her extra homework for this stunt when she gets there." Han promised.

"She'll love that." Shayde laughed. Han had been homeschooling Kaidyn for her for the last couple of years because the girls were on the run, trying to hide from the Feds. Shayde was in charge of her sister, Kaidyn, ever since they had both been ambushed by a raid in their house and they had both been shot. Kaidyn was known for being a handful and sometimes loved giving Shayde grief.

"Hey Shayde, look at you looking all sexy." Justina, a friend of Shayde's, walked up to her, giving Shayde an appreciative look up and down. Shayde's figure and style was perfect to Justina, who was into the assassin looking type of girls. Shayde fit the description of what you would think an assassin would look like and Justina had known her for quite some time from the racing scene.

"What's up, Lil Mermaid?" Shayde smiled, looking at Justina's bright and long red hair.

"Haha. Funny. When did you get back in town?" Justina asked, leaning over on the table flirtatiously. She gave Shayde a good look over. She was about 5'10 with an athletic figure and she had long black hair with electric blue streaks protruding from the bottom layer. Her honey brown eyes popped with her skin and hair color.

"I just got back in this morning. What have you been up to?" Shayde, putting her sunglasses on to shield her eyes from the sun that seemed to be getting brighter.

"Just racing. I got a race later, you should come watch. You got the parts I ordered?" She asked.

"Does a car have wheels? Of course I have them. How dare you doubt me." Shayde tsked her teeth, making Justina smile.

"You're the best, like always. That is why you are my favorite Sparco rep." Justina took the box Shayde was handing her.

"I'm the only rep here too." Shayde rolled her eyes. "Buttering me up with fake compliments will get you nowhere, Red." Shayde warned.

"It might, you never know." Justina shook her shoulder and tilted her head to the side with a sly grin.

"Get outta here." Shayde threw a T-shirt at her.

"Oh, see, it did work. I didn't even have to shake anything." Justina laughed, taking the T-shirt and smiling.

"Yeah, yeah." Shayde grinned.

"I'll see you later tonight, right? You know where I am staying right?" She asked.

"Yes, well aware. Kinda has your name all over the trailer. Can't miss it." Shayde laughed.

"See you then." Justina blew her a kiss and skipped away.

"Crazy ass redhead." Shayde muttered to herself, looking at the time on her watch. She began to pace, worried if her sister was okay. Kaidyn had just turned 18 and had just gotten released from juvie and could be a handful. She was a magnet for trouble. She debated on calling Hector, her long time friend who helped her often with Kaidyn. He was, in fact, almost like a step dad to her. She got lost in her thoughts and jumped when she heard someone clear their throat behind her.

"Damn, you're jumpy. Everything cool?" Dominic Toretto asked, looking at Shayde with a grin.

"Dom!" Shayde smiled, excited to see him. She rushed to give him a hug. He picked her up and swung her around, holding her tightly.
"I know I get some free tees for my crew." He joked, putting her back down. "Good to see you, Shay." He smiled. He had known her for a long time and they went way back. He had known them since before the whole shooting had happened and he was an integral part of their lives, helping Shayde and Kaidyn when needed.

"How is it you get free shirts? Do I know you?" Shayde grinned, her brown eyes sparkling.
"Because I own you like I own these wars." Dominic grinned cockily, making Shayde laugh.

"Some things never change I see." Shayde smiled.

"Where's the troublemaker? I figured she'd be chained to your side after her last stunt." Dominic shook his head.

"Kaidyn had community service to get done so I stupidly agreed to have her meet me here. She doesn't have a phone because she will hack the hell out of things so I don't know where she is right now, other than she's late." Shayde sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"You were just trying to give her a chance to behave, I get it." Dominic nodded understandingly.

"Where's the rest of your team?" Shayde asked.

"Setting up camp over that way. We found your trailer and are not far from it." Dominic promised.

"Cool. I actually do have some shirts if you want them." Shayde nodded, looking through her stuff.

"I don't know, they may not deserve them." Dominic grinned jokingly. "It's cool. I'm just waiting on the rest of the crew to come in and killing time. Thought I'd come see you, it's been too long, Shay." Dominic shrugged.

"Yes, it really has been. I have missed ya." Shayde admitted.

"I can't wait to see the kid. Do I need to have a talk with that God Daughter of mine?" He asked.

"I don't know. Maybe. She's been a bit not herself lately. Things are getting worse with her, Dom. I mean, healthwise." Shayde sighed, feeling worried as she checked her watch.

"Not good. Maybe hanging with us for a while will help her relax some." Dominic suggested.

"Maybe." Shayde said, with a nod.

"Remember that time you and I had to go get her and Jesse from the station? And all they could do was bust up laughing?" Dominic asked, reminiscing.

"Hell yeah. I won't ever let her live that down. I think that was when the start of her career as a rebel began." Shayde laughed. "She's a damn mess. And it has only gotten worse." She warned. "This last stunt got her doing time in juvie." Shayde sighed, annoyed.

"Yeah, you're still not over that, huh?" Dominic grinned.

"You over that stunt Jesse pulled with Tran?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hell no." He said, shaking his head.

"Exactly." Shayde nodded.

"I know it's been some rough times being on the run with her, you holding up okay?" Dominic asked, shading his eyes from the sun.

"We're managing. Ready to be settled for a bit." Shayde nodded with a sigh. "But we are not going to think about anything other than Race Wars this week. She's been looking forward to Wars forever and so I am going to try to let her just be this week and let her have fun." Shayde said with a nod.

"Stop by camp and come visit. I am sure the crew will be excited to see you both and she will be happy to see them too. And don't forget my offer. You can stay with us for a while and take a break from running so much. We can protect you at my house." Dominic offered.

"I appreciate it. But you got enough people at the house and besides, you know her and Letty don't see eye to eye too well." Shayde said, putting his T-shirts in a bag.

"Letty and Mia aren't there. Letty took off to go find herself. Mia went off to school and is doing well there." Dominic said, looking away, the look telling Shayde he didn't really want to talk about it.

"We will have to talk later for sure. I will be by once I am done. I may send Kaidyn over before then if she shows her ass up and doesn't get in any more trouble." Shayde put the t-shirts in the bag for him. She threw in some glow sticks and stickers.

"Thanks for the hook up." Dominic grinned. "Tell my God daughter if she gives you any more problems, she is gonna have to deal with me and I can either make or break her time here at Wars." He raised a threatening eyebrow.

"I will definitely let her know that." Shayde smiled. She turned to see more people headed her way and became focused on her work as Dominic got into his car to go back to his camp.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Do you need a ride?" Brian O'Connor slowed down, seeing a younger girl with long blonde hair walking by herself down the highway. There wasn't anything in sight for several miles and she did not need to be on this highway by herself. She was wearing sandals and was petite as she walked down the road. Brian knew this was not the place she should be walking by herself.

"Nice car." Kaidyn Sutton said, looking over his car. "Thanks but I am pretty close to where I need to be going." Kaidyn smiled, shielding her crystal blue eyes from the sun.

"I call BS. The only place you could be going is Race Wars. That's a pretty far walk. At least a few more miles." Brian grinned, shaking his head as he drove beside her slowly.

"Sorry, I am not supposed to talk to strangers." Kaidyn shrugged and kept walking.

"My name's Brian O'Connor. I am not a stranger now." he grinned, making her grin.

"True but I still don't know you." Kaidyn kept walking. "Besides, I can walk. It's not a problem." Kaidyn promised.

"It can't be comfortable walking in those shoes. How long have you been walking out here?" Brian asked, looking at her sweaty forehead.

"Not too long. My car's back there a bit." She said, looking around, uncomfortable. She hated to admit she had forgotten to put a spare tire in the trunk and had a flat. She called herself a racer and that was such a rookie mistake it was embarrassing to her. Not to mention, her sister was going to have her head when she found out.

"I'm headed to Wars too. Hop in and I'll give your feet a break." Brian offered, leaning over to open the passenger door. Kaidyn froze like a deer in headlights, looking panicked for a second. "You okay?" Brian asked.

"Yes, I just don't make it a habit to get into people's cars I don't know. You could be a serial killer. Or worse, a federal agent." Kaidyn said, shaking her head. She told herself to keep calm and take some deep breaths. She had no phone and she saw no other cars coming. She had to keep calm and not panic, she reminded herself.

"I'm not a serial killer but if you keep walking this road, you might just meet one." Brian said, deciding to not ask about the federal agent thing. She looked pretty panicked as it was. "Do you race?" he asked.

"Yes, I do." She said, still walking and wiping the sweat off of her brow.

"So do I. What team are you on?" Brian asked, feeling bad she was starting to show how overheated she was beginning to get.

"I am not on a team, per say. I am just here to go to wars and race. I race at different places because I move around a lot." Kaidyn admitted.

"That sounds fun. Different places and races. I race too." Brian nodded.

"I am not shocked with this tight of a car. You got the best kind of car to have. This Skyline is tight." Kaidyn admitted, looking it over.

"What kind of car do you have?" He asked.

"An RX-7. It's a rainbow prismatic color. It's beautiful." Kaidyn smiled, her eyes lighting up.

"So what's wrong with your car?" Brian asked, still following her as she walked at a slow pace.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. To say I am blonde is an understatement." Kaidyn admitted, still mad at herself for her stupid mistake.

"Try me." Brian grinned.

"I had a flat tire and didn't have my spare. I forgot to put it in my trunk. My sister's working so I figured I'd just get to Wars and go get it later." Kaidyn admitted.

"Normally I would have to give you shit about not having a spare, but it seems your day has been rough enough so I will let it slide." Brian joked, making Kaidyn roll her eyes.

"Oh, it's going to be a rough day allright. My sister is going to get me when I get there for being late to community service. They don't let you start if you are not there on time. So I left and went to go wash my car and get ready for tonight because I didn't really want to spend all day hearing her be mad at me and when I started for here, I had a flat a few miles back." Kaidyn sighed.

"That has to suck." Brian nodded. "Come on, let me give you a ride." He coaxed.

"I can't. I am sorry." Kaidyn said, tripping over a rock and catching herself by grabbing his door.

"You can't walk in those shoes much longer either by the looks of it." Brian raised an eyebrow.

"Speaking of shoes, I am gonna be in trouble for them too. I forgot to pack my regular shoes and she's gonna throw a fit about that too." Kaidyn sighed, blowing her hair out of her face. "I am gonna be in trouble forever. I am doomed." Kaidyn sighed melancholy like.

"The sun is still shining and you got Wars to get to. You'll be okay." Brian promised.

"You don't know my sister. You have no idea how bad her temper can be." Kaidyn sighed, looking up at the sky.

"Come on, get in. I race for Team Toretto. Any racer would die to get a ride in my car." Brian suggested.

"Prove it. When has he let some city boy drive with him? I know Dom and he does not race with your type." Kaidyn shook her head.

"City boy? Wow, that is a first. I know Dom well, thank you. How do you know him?" Brian asked.

"I ask the questions around here, thank you very much." Kaidyn said, making Brian laugh. "Prove it if you really know him." Kaidyn crossed her arms and stopped walking. Brian stopped the car.

"Prove it, huh?" He asked.

"Yes, please." She nodded, stepping a bit back from the car in case he tried to get out.

"Relax, I promise I am not gonna hurt you. I am trying to help you and save those feet if you are racing later." Brian held up his hands innocently.

"Just call him." Kaidyn shook her head, looking around for her options if she had to run.

"I will call him. Right now. Just don't take off." Brian said, seeing how uneasy she was.

"Hello." Dominic answered.

"Hey Dom, I am calling to prove I know you." Brian started.

"Dom?!" Kaidyn asked, her eyes getting a bit watery. She hadn't talked to him in over a year and had missed him a lot. Dominic was the one who taught her how to race and drive and was very much a big part of her life.

"Kaidyn, you okay?" Dominic asked, making Kaidyn smile.

"Can you just tell her to get in my car and I will bring her to Wars?" Brian asked, shaking his head.

"I have missed you, Dom! I am okay. I just broke down and was trying to get back to camp before Shayde got off work so she doesn't kill me." Kaidyn admitted.

"You know, putting her off doesn't work. How was that community service today?" Dominic asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Awe, you already talked to her? Am I in trouble?" Kaidyn asked, feeling dread.

"I think you need to let my friend Brian drive you to the Sparco table right now. Get in that car and get your ass here." Dominic ordered.

"I am on my way. Please try to tell her it wasn't my fault." Kaidyn said, chewing her lip.

"I already left her area. We will see you when you get here, Brian, take good care of my Goddaughter, would you?" Dominic asked.

"On our way." Brian grinned. He hung up and Kaidyn was quiet. "You okay over there?" He asked, finally able to pick up his speed after she got in his car.

"I am right now. I won't be when I get to my sister. She's going to murder me. No racing for me tonight." Kaidyn sighed.

"She can't be that mean." Brian laughed.

"Oh, you're right. She's worse." Kadiyn said, leaning her head on the window. "I am so done for." She muttered.

"I'll try to talk to her. So I am assuming you want me to drop you off at the Sparco tent?" He asked.

"Yes, I guess. Please. Unless you drop me by your camp and then I can say I got lost?" Kaidyn asked, trying to think of a plan as they entered the gates to Race Wars.

"Nope, I can't do that. I am not going to get on Dom's bad side to help you. Sorry, fellow blondie." Brian laughed, making Kaidyn smile. He was glad to make her smile. She looked pretty sad that she was going to have to face her sister. "Come on, Kaidyn, she can't be that bad." Brian tried to console her.

"She's not bad. She's really pretty cool. I just keep messing up and making mistakes." Kaidyn admitted as she stared at all the cars they were passing. They pulled up to the Sparco tent. Brian saw Shayde and his mouth dropped open.

"Is that your sister?" Brian asked, trying to close his mouth. He really thought she looked hot.

"That's her. WIth the temper of Hades." Kaidyn nodded. She tried to slide down in the seat to keep from being seen but it was too late, Shayde had already seen her.

"You must be her sister, I take it." Brian flashed one of his best smiles to the girl. She leaned down on his window. "Brian O' Connor, nice to meet you." Brian flashed his best smile to her.

"I'm Shayde, thanks for giving her a ride. It will be interesting to know where her car is and what excuse there is this time." Shayde smiled back appreciatively at Brian.

"She was a few miles away. I picked her up from walking. I hope you didn't mind. I didn't want anyone to give her a ride that could have …" Brian started.

"No, its appreciated. Thanks for getting her here. Let's go, Kaidyn." Shayde said, grabbing Kaidyn's bag and opening the door. She stopped for a moment and looked at Kaidyn's shoes. "Really? Sandals? When driving?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She had a flat tire. You guys got a way to get to the car or need some help fixing it? Brian asked, looking at Shayde in the eyes.

"No, we're good but thanks for the offer." Shayde nodded, putting her arm around Kaidyn's shoulders and squeezing them a bit.

"Oww. yes, I know I am in trouble." Kaidyn said, shaking her head. "I know I didn't go to community service and I am sorry. I can explain." Kaidyn admitted. Shayde stopped and pulled Kaidyn away from her.

"You what?" Shayde stopped.
"You didn't already know?" Kaidyn's eyes got big. "Oh no." She shook her head.

"Kadiyn Leigh Sutton, why the hell did you NOT go to community service?" Shayde asked, folding her arms.

"It's a long story." Kaidyn said, tears forming in her eyes. She knew she was in major trouble.
"NO, you don't get to use the tears. Stop it. Get in the car and tell me your excuse you've come up with on the way." Shayde sighed as she unlocked the blue flamed custom detailed Ferrari Spyder for her sister and they headed out towards the main entrance.

"Shayde, I promise I went there but I was two minutes late and they wouldn't let me check in." Kaidyn said, trying to explain. She looked away, not wanting her sister to see her panic or her tears. She hated when Shayde was mad at her.

"So why didn't you just come here? Are you sure it was only two minutes?" Shayde asked, looking at Kaidyn.

"Yes, it was only two minutes. I swear, I was shocked I was late. My car's clock said I had two minutes. I really thought I was on time." Kaidyn swore.

"I will deal with the community service part but now you have to lay low because now they are going to be looking for you." Shayde promised.

"I swear, Shay, I left early to make sure I was there. I still don't understand how I was late." Kaidyn promised.

"We will see what is going on. What's wrong with your car?" Shayde asked.

"I am stupid. I forgot to put the spare back in when I was cleaning it at the hotel and the tire popped. I don't know what happened. I didn't hit anything. It's like I have a cloud of bad luck following me around." Kaidyn sighed with frustration.

"I have another tire in my car. We can fix that. But those sandals are your fault. I told you quit driving with those sandals." Shayde said, looking at Kaidnyn's feet.

"I didn't bring any others to Wars." Kaidyn said softly.

"I have extras in the trailer because I know how you pack, silly girl." Shayde promised, using her nickname for Kaidyn. This made Kaidyn smile and look a bit relieved.

"I'm sorry I messed up again. I swear to you, I was there and ready. I hope they have cameras you can check." Kaidyn said, shaking her head.

"Forget that for now and just enjoy Wars. It's been a rough few months, I know. Let's just have a good time this week." Shayde suggested.

"I'm sorry I messed up again, Shay." Kaidyn said softly.

"It is done and over. But what were you thinking walking on your own and getting in a stranger's car?" Shayde asked.

"I don't know to be honest." Kaidyn admitted. "I didn't have a phone. What was I supposed to do?" Kaidyn asked.

"You had that number you could call when in trouble. You could have walked into a place with a phone and called that number. You know that is the plan." Shayde reminded her.

"I forgot about that." Kaidyn said, holding her head.

"You've been havin more and more memory issues, huh?" Shayde asked, making Kaidyn nod.
"It's starting to get worse." Kaidyn admitted, looking down and fiddling with her hands.

"Let's enjoy this week and then we will get you looked at and figure out what's going on." Shayde leaned over and rubbed her arm. She felt bad Kaidyn was struggling and just wanted her to have fun for once. They had been through a lot. Kaidyn laid her head on her shoulder.

"Thanks for not killing me." Kaidyn smiled up at her sister.

"You're welcome. I can't promise Hector won't." Shayde smiled.

"Do you gotta tell him?" Like seriously?" Kaidyn asked, lifting her head up to look at Shayde.

"He won't be here yet, don't worry." Shayde smiled. They pulled up to the car and Shayde got the tire out. She threw a pair of shoes at Kaidyn. "Get those sandals off and put on shoes you can drive in. No more driving in sandals." Shayde scolded.

"Fine." Kaidyn sat on the hood of the car and changed her shoes while Shayde changed her tire. "Thanks for bringing back ups. At least they are one of my favorite pairs." Kaidyn said, sitting on the ground by Shayde as she changed the tire.

"You're welcome, silly girl." Shayde smiled, finishing tightening the lug nuts. "There ya go, let's try to make it in the gates this time." Shayde got up, dusting herself off.

"I'll try. My keys should be in here." Kaidyn dug in her purse.

"Kaidyn…" Shayde started.

"I'm good, I got them." Kaidyn promised, holding them up victoriously.

"You're a mess, missy." Shayde ruffled her hair.

"I'm your mess." Kaidyn smiled, making Shayde laugh.

"You have no idea." Shayde shook her head. "Go. I'll follow you." Shayde motioned to her car.

"I'm going. Let's go party!" Kaidyn said, getting in her car excitedly.