Some Things Never Change

**

Chapter 3

Mia jogged to catch up with Dom as he walked off, when she was at his side he looked t her.

“Who was that you were talking to?” He asked and Mia shrugged.

“Just someone I met.” Mia answered, not looking at him.

Dom stared at her for a moment longer; Mia didn’t just talk to anyone, so something was going on. He put it out of his mind, she’d talk when she was ready and right now the preliminary races were starting.

**

Sam sat in her car at the starting line; the adrenaline was surging through her. It had been a while since she had raced in these conditions. Before the race started she had unpacked the boot and slipped a security man a fifty to keep an eye on it, now the car was prepped and she was tingling with the rush of racing.

The two guys she was racing were staring at her from either side. Trying to intimidate her, Sam suppressed a laugh some things never changed.

She pushed a button to turn her stereo on and flicked through until she found the right track. The first few bars of Breathe Me by Sia filled her car and she took a deep breath and watched the lights, she revved the engine and rammed the car into first gear as the lights changed and then she away, tearing up the dirt track, she watched as one of the drivers overtook her but she wasn’t worried.

The lagging driver hit his Nos as a last ditch attempt but Sam barely noticed, she drew level with the lead driver and watched as he hit his Nos, wanting to wag her finger at him.
She floored the car and then a split second later she hit her own tanks and sailed right by him and over the finish line.

A roar went up from the crowd and she slowed the car, blood rushing through her body and her heartbeat pounding in her ears. God she had missed this.

The two other drivers were pulled up as she drove past; she gave them a quick wave and then pulled her car up as they prepared for the next race.

Suddenly engulfed, Sam found herself surrounded by Mia and she laughed and returned the hug.

“You are still good.” Mia accused and laughed.

“It’s just the prelim’s Mia, chill out.” Sam laughed as she pointed out the obvious.

“Well you’re done for the night. Let’s go get a drink.” Mia dragged Sam off for the second time that day.

Mia and Sam were sat on the hood of Sam’s car drinking a beer and watching the crowds dancing and drinking. Sam had pulled out her camera and was snapping candid shots. Not that Sam was a photographer; she was good enough, which was just as well because she couldn’t have brought a professional with her.

She turned and snapped a few pictures of Mia, while Mia pulled silly poses. Neither of them noticed a group of people approaching them.

**

Dom stared at the woman with Mia, there was something about her, she seemed familiar but he just couldn’t put his finger on it.

Leon stared as well, as if trying to remember something.

Dom took in her car, the same as his, only it was a midnight blue. He watched as Mia laughed and struck poses, she looked really happy. Dom watched as the other woman looked up and froze.


Sam noticed them first, she froze mid laugh and prayed that he wouldn’t recognize her. She saw Leon staring as well and turned back to Mia.

Vince stumbled alongside the girls, trying to make his way to Mia, he looked up briefly.

“Hey Sammy.” And collapsed noisily onto the dark haired girl.

“Vince. Same as ever I see.” Sam laughed at the absurdity of it all; of all people to recognize her she wouldn’t have put her money on Vince.

Leon approached her and engulfed her in a drunken hug.

“You’re looking good Chica.” Leon slurred and Sam laughed.

“You too Leon.” She answered.

Dom just stared with his mouth slightly open, he seemed to pull it together and approached. His usual swagger was back as he skimmed his finger tips across the bonnet of her car before pulling himself up to sit on it.

“Nice ride.” Was all he said.

Sam caught a worried look on Mia’s face but ignored it.

“Get off my car Toretto.” Sam ground out before turning her back to him completely.

“So why’d they let you in? They wave the no press rule?” He continued, not moving an inch.

Sam ignored him so Mia answered for her.

“She’s racing, won her prelim as well.” Mia explained quickly trying to diffuse the tense atmosphere.

“Mia lets get Vince back to where ever you guys are staying. I’ve got a motel room not far from here; you can stay with me if you want.” Sam was all business as she repacked her camera.

“How did you get a room? That place is booked out for months when Race Wars is on.” Leon chuckled in disbelief.

“She’s living the high life now, probably paid to get some one kicked out of there room.” Dom answered for her.

Sam ignored the angry tone in his voice; it was true, except that Jim had arranged it all.

Once her bag was packed she stowed it in the trunk of her car and helped Mia get Vince standing.

“Come and party with us tomorrow.” Leon threw out the offer and Sam just shook her head.

“I can’t Leon; I got a lot of shit to do while I’m here.” She tried to soften the refusal, she had always liked Leon.

Something that sounded like a snort came from Dom’s direction.

“She’s too classy to be messing with the likes of us now, ain’t that right Samantha?” The acid in Dom’s voice was unmistakable.

“Fuck you Toretto.” Sam muttered from between clenched teeth.

“Been there, done that.” Dom smirked and Sam ignored him.

Sam helped Mia carry the staggering Vince back to the mini van they were staying in.