{"id":19222,"date":"2021-12-24T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2021-12-24T16:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/?p=19222"},"modified":"2021-12-17T19:13:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-18T03:13:00","slug":"sylum-advent-2021-december-24th","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-2021-december-24th\/","title":{"rendered":"Sylum Advent 2021: December 24th"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Title:<\/strong> Shifting Tides – Episode 4: Reunions<\/span><\/p>\n

Author:<\/strong> Gil Grissom<\/span><\/p>\n

Pairings:<\/strong> Dom\/Brian, other background pairings<\/span><\/p>\n

Rating:<\/strong> PG<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary:<\/strong> The rest of the group converges on Los Angeles and they find out some more information about the players on the board.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo how did it go?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom glanced over at Han, who was leaning in the bathroom doorway. \u201cGood. He went back to Harry\u2019s for the night, so his bosses didn\u2019t get suspicious. Plus he has to \u2018work\u2019 tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Han scrunched his nose. \u201cI\u2019ll be glad when this situation gets resolved. I hate they\u2019ve put him in this danger. I can\u2019t even imagine what you\u2019re feeling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike ripping their heads from their bodies with my bare hands,\u201d Dom replied as he tossed his dirty clothes in the laundry. \u201cBut at this point, there\u2019s nothing to do but wait. Any word on Jason and James?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStill in the air, but they should be landing within the hour.\u201d Han flopped down on the bed. \u201cVince and Jesse went to the airport to meet them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom laughed. \u201cWell, that was unkind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was life-saving. Mia\u2019s studying for a test she\u2019s got coming up next week and they were getting way too loud.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think we might need to think about trussing them both up and sending them to Josiah for the duration of her medical studies.\u201d He grinned when Han laughed and then tossed his toiletry bag onto the bathroom counter and his duffle bag on the top shelf of the closet before flopping down next to Han.<\/span><\/p>\n

Han blew out a breath. \u201cSo, how did everything go, really? Our Clan\u2019s brand of crazy didn\u2019t send him packing for a one-way trip to Europe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom snorted. \u201cNo. He took everything better than I expected. He was curious mostly. In between talking about the Clan and Vampires, we made out a lot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLucky you.\u201d Han huffed. \u201cIt\u2019s completely unfair how hot your Mate is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know. It\u2019s a terrible cross to be burdened with,\u201d Dom retorted. \u201cBut I\u2019m strong. I can find a way to endure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Snickering, Han slapped him on the thigh. \u201cI should probably move some of my shit into one of the open rooms. We\u2019ve got a lot going on and you two need to figure your shit out without a third person mucking things up.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom raised an eyebrow. \u201cHis last words to me when he kissed me goodbye were to have fun with you tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s sweet, but no,\u201d Han said and grunted while he sat up. \u201cDamn. Getting old.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you\u2019re ancient. We\u2019ll get you a cane and a rocking chair for the porch so you can sit there and tell passersby to get the fuck off your lawn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFunny, Grandpa.\u201d Han stood and stretched his arms over the head. \u201cSeriously, though. It\u2019ll be easier in the long run for you two to settle into your relationship without me interfering. I\u2019ll still be here. Ain\u2019t going anywhere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn asshole,\u201d Dom muttered. \u201cWhy you gotta be all rational and shit?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Han laughed as he walked into the closet.<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, losers! We\u2019re here. You can start celebrating now,\u201d Jason called out as he strode through the door and dumped his bags on the floor against the wall.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYay,\u201d came the deadpan response from Han.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jason walked into the living room and found Han laying on the sofa, book in hand. He leaned over the back and grinned down at him. \u201cMiss me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, yeah, Doyle. My life has been incomplete until this very moment.\u201d Han looked up as he turned the page. \u201cWhere\u2019s your more tolerable half?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jason made a face at him and waved toward the front door. \u201cOutside convincing Vince that life is worth living and that driving off the nearest bridge to alleviate the pain of dealing with us will only mean that we have to wait until he\u2019s reincarnated to pick up where we left off.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou break him, you\u2019re paying for the therapy,\u201d Dom said as he walked in from the kitchen area and sat down on the sofa directly across from the one Han was lounging on.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jason smirked as he strode over and flopped down next to Dom. \u201cWhy pay for it when Red\u2019ll do it for free?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Han snorted. \u201cDealing with this group, one of these days Red\u2019s gonna snap and we\u2019re never gonna see it coming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd until that day, he has to deal with our demented psyches,\u201d Jason replied flippantly. \u201cSo, what\u2019s going on and what are we doing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing\u2019s happening right now, and we\u2019re doing nothing,\u201d Dom said as he picked up a book. \u201cWe\u2019ll go over everything once Daniel and company get here. Which won\u2019t be until tomorrow or the next day. Besides, the others are still working on information. So you two will have to sit around and look pretty for a couple of days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always pretty,\u201d James said as he sauntered into the room. He dropped down on the other side of Dom and draped his legs over him. \u201cAnything interesting going on outside of the shenanigans y\u2019all have gotten yourselves into?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDom found his Mate,\u201d Han supplied cheerfully, grinning and blowing a kiss when Dom huffed in his direction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOoh, who is it? What are they like? We didn\u2019t hear the scream of horror, so I\u2019m guessing they\u2019ve got a dick.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, seriously, why did Josiah send you?\u201d Dom asked, rolling his eyes when he got two pokes to the side. \u201cHe\u2019s got a dick, yes. Brian\u2019s the undercover cop that\u2019s been a part of this case. He\u2019s now aware of what we are and what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, where is he?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaintaining his cover since we suspect that some of those running the op from the FBI side of things are actually accomplices of Tran\u2019s,\u201d Han told them. \u201cHe\u2019s managed to put a bug in the ADA\u2019s ear about the issues he\u2019s having without revealing that we\u2019re aware of what\u2019s going on. Hopefully, he\u2019ll be able to suss out what\u2019s going on there from his side of things.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo we really <\/span>don\u2019t<\/span><\/i> have anything to do but sit around and look pretty,\u201d Jason said, sighing heavily as he walked over to grab one of the bags by the door.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dom snorted when he sat back down and pulled out his latest knitting project. \u201cWhat are you working on now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBaby blankets for the hospital for Christmas,\u201d Jason replied as he got himself settled. \u201cI\u2019ve already got half a dozen finished.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCar freaks and craft nuts,\u201d Han said with a laugh. \u201cBrian may just hop on that plane to Europe before the month is out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom rolled his eyes and pushed James\u2019 legs off him. \u201cI\u2019m going up to bed to read. Tell Vince and Jesse to quit poking around his car in order to avoid these two and get some damn rest. Once things get rolling, our lives are going to be busy and they don\u2019t need to be already dragging ass before that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll tell them,\u201d Han said, waving him off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother shipment is headed this way,\u201d James said the next morning as they gathered in the living room. \u201cBridger says it left the warehouse about three hours ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom nodded and made note of it in his documents. \u201cWe\u2019re letting this one go. It\u2019ll throw them off their stride to let one through. Any word on further info?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust that they\u2019ll send it via email once they have it,\u201d James replied. \u201cAnd Daniel called before they got on the road this morning. They\u2019re just inside the Arizona border on the New Mexico side, so they\u2019re planning on finishing out the trip today. Apparently, Belle\u2019s new Mate has been giving them unimpressed looks at the speed they\u2019re going. She informed Daniel and David this morning that she\u2019s not a delicate fucking flower, thank you very much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Han laughed. \u201cSounds like a good match for Belle, if she\u2019s already calling those two on their bullshit. I\u2019m looking forward to meeting the not-delicate flower.\u201d He looked over at Dom. \u201cWhen\u2019s Brian coming over?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe was awake early to do some work before opening, so he\u2019ll only be working until noon. If he doesn\u2019t get brought in by those running the op, he\u2019ll be heading over here to work on the car.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom sighed and gathered his paperwork to place in the safe room. \u201cSpeaking of, we do need to get to work on the Supra. We need to have it done by Race Wars, and that\u2019s coming faster than we\u2019d probably like. The feebs will expect it, and if there\u2019s a shipment during that time, it would be a good one to make ourselves seen while the others work on hijacking the truck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen let\u2019s get Vince, Jesse, and Leon into the garage and get to work on it,\u201d Han said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJesse\u2019s at his place. Leon and Vince are upstairs,\u201d Dom said, rolling his eyes when James and Jason cackled and took off upstairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t long before Vince was screaming like an unpleasantly surprised five-year-old, quickly shifting into cursing up a blue streak, with Leon\u2019s laughter overlaying the not-so-dulcet soundtrack.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Han snorted. \u201cOne of these days, Vince is going to snap and dust us all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd yet, today will not be that day,\u201d Dom replied, standing up. \u201cLet\u2019s get outside. Vince and Leon can fend for themselves this morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian sighed heavily as Muse undid his cuffs again and then glared at Tanner, who raised his eyebrows in response. \u201cHonestly, if you want me to get any kind of work done, being picked up and harassed constantly isn\u2019t going to accomplish it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tanner snorted. \u201cNot my call.\u00a0 Bilkins is getting questions from the brass about our progress and he has some questions for you.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout what?\u201d Brian asked as he followed Tanner inside. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t been that long since I was last here, and either there haven\u2019t been any trucks between that time and now, or they haven\u2019t been hijacked. Do you know which?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom what I understand, there haven\u2019t been any trucks,\u201d Tanner admitted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen what the fuck am I doing here? There\u2019s no evidence anywhere in Toretto\u2019s house that indicates he has anything to do with it, he has no vehicles matching the description in any of his places that I\u2019ve seen, and there are no other properties on record for him, Lue, or his sister. Not even for any of the others who hang out with them, and that would be a big red flag because of their age, class level of their families, and lack of personal finances.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian dropped down onto one of the chairs around the table in the center of the living room. \u201cThanks,\u201d he said when Tanner slid over a water bottle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bilkins walked in before Brian could even open it. \u201cYou got anything for me, O\u2019Connor?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>No<\/span><\/i>. There haven\u2019t been any trucks or hijackings, everything is going business as usual with virtually everyone around me, whether or not they\u2019re affiliated with Dom. No one has made any suspicious purchases through Harry, and as I was telling Tanner, there is nothing at any of the properties I have access to that belong to Toretto.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not good enough,\u201d Bilkins said, running his hand over his head and huffing loudly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo bad, because it\u2019s what I\u2019ve got. Maybe get your guys to give us some less shitty and half-assed intel on our players.\u201d He rubbed his face when Bilkins glared at him. \u201cI can only do so much with what you\u2019re giving me. You want me riding Toretto\u2019s ass? I\u2019m doing it, but getting someone who is doing shady shit, as you seem to think he is, to trust others takes <\/span>time<\/span><\/i>. Expecting instant results from a long-term op is just stupid, and I know you know that.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

He looked down at his watch. \u201cAnd this pulling me in constantly bullshit isn\u2019t helping. I\u2019m supposed to be heading to Toretto\u2019s to work on the car right now. They\u2019re expecting me, and now I\u2019m going to have to figure out a believable lie about why I\u2019m so damn late, one that they can\u2019t double-check if they get suspicious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFine. Get the hell out of here, but you better get me some evidence soon, because my superiors are getting frustrated by our lack of progress,\u201d Bilkins said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can only work with what I\u2019ve got, and I can\u2019t push so hard I trip over a red flag for him,\u201d Brian replied evenly as he stood up. \u201cI\u2019ll see about angling to spend more time with Toretto and his people. Maybe they\u2019ll get more comfortable, enough to let something slip,<\/span> if there is anything<\/span><\/i>. But I need you to back off and let me do what I\u2019m going to do, especially since they\u2019re hell-bent on getting that junk car you gave me ready for Race Wars. There\u2019s only so much time in a day and Harry\u2019s as my cover is taking up a hell of a lot of it.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to quit Harry\u2019s?\u201d Tanner asked curiously.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think I can\u2019t be in two places at once and you need to put someone else in at Harry\u2019s while I focus on Toretto and the rest of the racers. It\u2019s difficult to keep an eye on what they\u2019re doing when I\u2019m spending hours running errands or doing busy work at Harry\u2019s to keep my damn cover.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Bilkins frowned but nodded. \u201cI hate to say it, but you do have a point there. Fine, you\u2019re officially out of the store, but you keep on Toretto\u2019s ass. I don\u2019t care if you have to bang that sister of his nine ways from Sunday to keep on his radar.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian was careful to keep the snarl off his face and to remain blank as he nodded and walked back out. \u201cHe\u2019s such an asshole,\u201d he muttered to Tanner and Muse once they were out of the house.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe is, but he\u2019s who we have to work with,\u201d Tanner responded. \u201cBe careful. I don\u2019t want you hurt if your cover is blown since you\u2019re pretty much going to be on your own from now on. It\u2019ll be harder to pull you in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich only works to our benefit.\u201d Brian ran his fingers through his hair. He sighed. \u201cYou guys be careful too. There\u2019s something seriously wrong here, and I don\u2019t know what it is, but my gut is telling me something isn\u2019t right. I\u2019ll get in touch when I can.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Tanner nodded. \u201cMuse, take the unmarked car and drop him off a few blocks from Toretto\u2019s. I don\u2019t want to be billed for the cab.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian smirked at him and saluted him before following Muse to one of the surveillance vehicles. He and Muse didn\u2019t talk much on the way across the city, and Brian only waved sarcastically at him when he drove off after dropping him off.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIdiots,\u201d he said under his breath as he headed toward Dom\u2019s house. It only took a few minutes to get there, and he smiled and leaned against the door frame that led into the garage. \u201cNo air conditioner today?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom looked up at him and smiled. \u201cNah. Not that hot and the three Stooges over here don\u2019t have enough brain cells between them to risk more with the fumes we\u2019ve got circulating right now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian laughed as the three in question protested loudly from their respective places around the car. He jerked his head toward the house and then headed in when Dom nodded and walked over to the sink. He opened the refrigerator and laughed a little when he found bottles of his favorite juice on the top shelf with his name plastered on them. He snagged one and closed the fridge door, jumping a little when he heard a voice pipe up behind him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, well, who do we have here?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian turned as he opened his juice and came face to face with two men he hadn\u2019t met. He sipped on his juice as he looked them over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The slightly shorter of the two was ruggedly handsome, with lighter brown hair and pretty blue eyes. He was the more muscularly built of the two and something about him screamed military bearing to Brian. The other was more classic movie-star handsome, taller, and leaning more toward the lanky side, but clearly not someone to underestimate. He definitely fit the notion of \u2018tall, dark, and handsome.\u2019\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They also looked vaguely familiar, so Brian figured he\u2019d seen them in one of the many photo albums at the beach house. \u201cBrian O\u2019Conner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Military-man smiled at him. \u201cJason Doyle, and he\u2019s James McCandles. We\u2019re Hunters for Border. I\u2019m…not sure what Dom and the others have told you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian nodded. \u201cI got the bare-bones overview on Clans and how they function, but nothing in great detail. Told me a little more about Hunters since it seems that dealing with people like Tran is more in your lane.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

James leaned against the wall. \u201cWe train specifically for the position we hold, but underestimating a good portion of our Clan honestly would be a dumbass thing to do. Neither Daniel nor David are Hunters but I wouldn\u2019t cross them for love or money.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jason snorted. \u201cDoesn\u2019t help that half of them would be more inclined to shoot someone as look at them. It\u2019s what happens when half your Clan is made up of people who grew up in the Old West era.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOr the cowboy type in general,\u201d Dom said as he walked in. \u201cSomething you needed to talk about? I noticed you were later than you\u2019d expected.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian nodded and leaned back against the counter. \u201cGot pulled in again. Apparently, Bilkins\u2019 superiors were looking for an update. The guy\u2019s a stubborn asshole, but I got it through his head somewhat that I wasn\u2019t going to be able to give him what he\u2019s expecting right away. I don\u2019t know how long he\u2019ll go without pushing again, but I did convince them that my time will be better served being all up in your business full time rather than having to work for Harry and work to get into your good graces and investigate the other racers as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo you don\u2019t have to work at Harry\u2019s anymore,\u201d Dom said, sounding pleased by that.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNope. I suggested they stick someone else in there if they want to keep an eye on that angle, but maintaining that cover doesn\u2019t serve me in any single way at this point.\u201d Then he smirked. \u201cBilkins told me he expected me to bang Mia nine ways from Sunday in order to stay in your sphere.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

James and Jason both burst out laughing as they fled for the outside, and Brian quirked a brow. \u201cAre you <\/span>growling<\/span><\/i>? I thought werewolves growled.\u201d He tilted his head. \u201cAre werewolves real?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs far as I know, no,\u201d Dom said and huffed at him. \u201cNo banging my sister. It would be weird. And awkward. And she\u2019ll hurt your delicate feelings.\u201d Dom tilted his head and smirked. \u201cShe says you\u2019re not old enough or big enough to ride her ride.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cClearly the assholery in your family is genetic!\u201d Brian called out towards the ceiling. Then he turned his attention back to Dom, reaching out and tugging him closer by his belt loop. \u201cYou do know what this means, though. Right?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom leaned forward and braced his hands on the counter on either side of Brian. \u201cMeans there\u2019s no reason for you not to stay right here where I can keep an eye on you, make sure those idiots don\u2019t get you hurt.\u201d The \u2018or worse\u2019 was left unsaid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, yes, that, but also, it means we have sanctioned, quality time to get to know each other better and make out and other stuff.\u201d Brian reached up and cupped the back of Dom\u2019s head, bringing their mouths together in a soft kiss that quickly turned heated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only to be interrupted by a loud wolf whistle. They separated and Brian sighed in exasperation at a grinning Han. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? It was hot.\u201d Han shrugged. \u201cBut hot or not, we don\u2019t have time for this. We\u2019ve got a car to finish. So move it!\u201d He motioned them toward the back door and Brian and Dom allowed him to herd them out to the garage.<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

A very long day of them working on the car had all of them – mostly the humans – completely exhausted. They\u2019d called in pizza for the ones who needed to eat, the Vampires of the group having already fed from the humans of their group earlier. Mia had long since abandoned the house for classes and study sessions elsewhere, having finally gotten sick of being around the boisterous bunch, especially since more were invading.<\/span><\/p>\n

James walked downstairs and dropped down on the floor next to Dom\u2019s leg. \u201cDaniel and them\u2019ll be here in about fifteen minutes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom hummed and continued running his fingers through Brian\u2019s hair. Brian was dozing in his lap, clearly exhausted from all the work they\u2019d done on the car in addition to having got up early to work in the shop. At least Brian had managed to get himself out of that part of the mess. It certainly took a lot of the weight off Dom, being able to keep a better eye on Brian.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t that he thought Brian incapable of taking care of himself. It was more that he knew Brian on his own was in way over his head with things he didn\u2019t fully understand. That understanding would come with time and experience, but time was something they had precious little of, and experience came hand in hand with <\/span>time<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re thinking too hard. Stop it,\u201d Brian murmured, poking him in the chest before settling in further.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom huffed a little laugh and pressed a kiss to Brian\u2019s hair before closing his eyes and dozing himself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In what seemed like a moment, but Dom was sure he nodded off completely for a bit when the front door burst open, startling him awake.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can get the party started now,\u201d David said cheerfully. \u201cWe have arrived.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWoo hoo,\u201d Leon said, tone flat, not bothering to lift his head from where it was resting in his folded arms as he lay on the floor.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian lifted his head and stared at him before blowing a raspberry and resuming his previous position after being startled awake himself.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom laughed at David\u2019s amused-yet-affronted expression. \u201cThey\u2019re exhausted. A long day of hard work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen they should be up in bed resting,\u201d Belle said as she walked inside. \u201cLeon, Vince, Jesse, get your butts off the floor and go to bed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s too early,\u201d Vince mumbled.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re trying to sleep on the damn floor, it\u2019s not too early, so get up and go find your bed,\u201d Belle said. \u201cAch! Don\u2019t argue with me, kid. Upstairs. Bed. Now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, ma\u2019am,\u201d Jesse murmured, scrambling up off the floor and stumbling toward the stairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Vince grumbled but followed along, as did Leon, who took a moment to stop and kiss Belle on the cheek before trotting upstairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDom, get your boy to bed, too. We can meet him properly when he\u2019s awake enough to do more than make faces at David for being himself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom snorted and helped Brian to his feet. \u201cI\u2019ll be back in a few.\u201d Then Dom escorted Brian up and laughed when Brian sat on the bed and fell back onto it. \u201cYou\u2019re really tired, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t sleep well last night, then had to get up super early. And the stress of this whole thing and worrying about the people I don\u2019t think are in on it who could be in danger\u2026 I think it\u2019s all just caught up with me now that I don\u2019t have to put up a front at the store.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I can understand that,\u201d Dom said as he helped Brian strip down to his boxers and slide into bed. \u201cGet some sleep. I\u2019ll be back up in a while.\u201d He leaned over and pressed a kiss to Brian\u2019s forehead and then turned off the lights as he left the room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe good?\u201d Belle asked from the couch as he came down the stairs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, he\u2019s fine. Just mentally and physically exhausted. The whole undercover thing is taking its toll on him, but he\u2019s managed to work his way out from under part of it. I\u2019m hoping in a few days we\u2019ll have some answers about what\u2019s really going on.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Belle nodded. \u201cDom, this is Suki. Suki, this is Dom, our 2IC for Border.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suki waved and Dom laughed as he waved back. \u201cDecided to throw your hat in our ring? Brave woman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Suki shrugged. \u201cBelle\u2019s great and I figured if I can deal with David and Daniel\u2019s crazy, I\u2019ll be fine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI take offense to that,\u201d Daniel said from where he was playing a video game with Han.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat else is new?\u201d Belle asked him before turning to Dom. \u201cStill no word on what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but Brian said the ADA involved with some aspects of this case wanted to talk to him tomorrow, so Brian\u2019s going to see him. Daniel, David, I\u2019d like you to go with him, kind of blend into the background to keep an eye on him if you can. They\u2019re meeting up at a restaurant. You two are definitely players that no one is going to notice. Those of us here stick out like sore thumbs since we\u2019re their target.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

David nodded. \u201cWe can do that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks.\u201d Then Dom smirked. \u201cJust do me a favor and memorize my phone number in case you lose your phone again.\u201d He laughed when all three of the guilty groaned and David threw a pillow at him.<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian stumbled into the kitchen and took the coffee cup Han offered before heading back into the living room and sitting down on the sofa to inhale all the caffeinated goodness. He heard people talking around him, some of the voices not particularly familiar, but now that he didn\u2019t have to be super alert in the morning his usual zombie-like morning persona reasserted itself full-force.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He\u2019d never been a morning person and he hated getting up before ten unless forced to. He\u2019d have slept in if he could have gotten away with it, but he had a meeting with Lindsey in about an hour and a half and needed time to wake up and get there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At some point, his coffee cup was exchanged for a full one and after his second cup, he became more aware of his surroundings and found that a whole gaggle of people were sitting around and watching him with what looked to be varying degrees of amused fascination.<\/span><\/p>\n

He was honestly a little weirded out by it. \u201cY\u2019all are creepy as fuck.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom snorted. \u201cThis is the first time they\u2019ve seen you as anything less than alert in the morning.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Which was true, because the only time he\u2019d let himself go completely was when he and Dom had been at the beach house those couple of days. It had been an eye-opening experience for Dom and kind of hilarious for Brian once he was aware of his surroundings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the real me in the mornings. Deal with the trauma,\u201d Brian said, handing his cup to Dom when he held his hand out. Then Brian blinked and rubbed the bleariness from his eyes and looked around, his gaze landing on the man sitting across from him. \u201cHoly shit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Han asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know I said Lindsey looked a lot like him when Dom showed me the photo albums, but he looks exactly like what I expect Linsdey will look like in another decade. <\/span>Wow<\/span><\/i>.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel blinked at him. \u201cYou know someone who looks like me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, it\u2019s who I\u2019m going to meet up with soon.\u201d Brian sighed. \u201cWhich means I do need to go up and get dressed.\u201d Brian hopped up and headed upstairs to dress, and he was putting on his shoes when Dom came in.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBe careful out there. I know Daniel and David will be with you, but remember you don\u2019t know who you can trust.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know I can trust Lindsey because he was even more confused than I was. He doesn\u2019t have a lot to do with it, other than keeping track of the information he\u2019s been given so far to build the case when it comes time and to make sure that nothing they\u2019re doing fucks up the ability to get a conviction.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian finished tying his sneakers. \u201cAfter I finish up with Lindsay, I\u2019ll go and pick my shit up from Harry\u2019s and let him know what\u2019s going on and to expect someone else to fill my spot. He\u2019ll be thrilled, I\u2019m sure, but that\u2019s his problem, not mine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure Daniel and David are with you. They\u2019ll know them there, so it\u2019s not a big deal. If Daniel wants to approach Lindsey, let him make that decision. He may wait for a more ideal time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen he\u2019s going to have to keep his face out of the restaurant. They know Lindsey there, and one of the waitresses will notice him the moment he walks in.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Dom hummed and walked back out, Brian followed him down. \u201cBelle, I want you to go with Daniel and David. Daniel, you\u2019ll stay out of the restaurant. Brian says Lindsey is a frequent flyer there, and I think you\u2019ll garner too much attention inside. Try to keep a low profile outside.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel nodded. \u201cI\u2019ll sit in the backseat and keep my head down. The restaurant isn\u2019t the place for that kind of revelation, and we certainly don\u2019t need to add to the gossip or complicate things at the moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom tossed the keys to Mia\u2019s car to Brian. \u201cShe said not to scratch the paint or she\u2019s going to sit on you and dye your hair neon green.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, sisterly love,\u201d Brian said with a laugh. \u201cAlright, you guys follow me in your car and wait until I\u2019m in and settled before you two come in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

David saluted him and the four of them filed out to the garage. Brian glanced over at the one section of the garage that seemed separate from the rest and had its own doors. Not for the first time he wondered what was in there, but he pushed it aside for later. He had enough on his plate without being nosy or poking at what might end up being a sore spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

The drive to the restaurant wasn\u2019t terrible so they arrived fifteen minutes early, more than enough time for Brian to get in and see that Lindsey wasn\u2019t there yet, get himself a table outside and away from pretty much everyone, and for Belle and David to come in a few minutes behind him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lindsey arrived about ten minutes after their scheduled time. \u201cSorry I\u2019m late,\u201d he said as he slid into the booth. \u201cThere was an accident on the route from my house so I had to detour.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot a problem. I just got lucky. There wasn\u2019t much in the way of traffic from Toretto\u2019s house to here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lindsey\u2019s eyebrows shot up. \u201cYou were at Toretto\u2019s place?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah. Bilkins had me pulled in again for a damn update that I couldn\u2019t give him because there was nothing to update him about, and I finally got it through his head that while working at Harry\u2019s gave me an in with Dom and the other racers, I couldn\u2019t keep that job and keep an eye on Dom the way he wanted me to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The waitress came out and took their drink orders, and once she was gone, Lindsey sighed. \u201cSo, I\u2019ve been looking into the information we\u2019ve been given on the case and I\u2019ve also managed to get hold of what the LAPD have as well, since they had more as it\u2019s a joint operation with the FBI, and I and a few people I absolutely trust have been trying to corroborate what we have. None of the information so far that we\u2019ve been able to confirm is anything incriminating. It\u2019s mundane operational information for Tran\u2019s business that on the surface looks legit, and we have the information about the alleged attack that Toretto instigated years ago.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe information that supposedly points to Dom and his crew being the ones to instigate these supposed thefts?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNothing that can be substantiated. Could Toretto have cars we don\u2019t know about? Sure, but so can dozens of others\u2026or even people who know how to race but aren\u2019t actually on the circuits, legal or otherwise. We\u2019re still going through everything because the FBI threw a lot of paperwork in our direction and at the LAPD, all hard copy. We\u2019re talking a few dozen boxes, and so far, it\u2019s all coming up bullshit, especially with a focus so damn narrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHere you go, fellas,\u201d the waitress said, smiling at them both. \u201cWhat can I get you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan I get the All-American breakfast, all bacon instead of sausage? Eggs over easy, and wheat toast?\u201d Brian asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure thing, sweet cheeks. And your usual, Lindsey?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlease,\u201d he said, smiling at her as they handed over their menus. When she left, Lindsey leaned forward. \u201cThe only facts we have are that one, trucks are getting hijacked and two, that whoever is doing it has cars that could be used for racing. That is all the hard evidence that we have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian nodded and tilted his head as if he was thinking. \u201cAnd how do we even know if the goods Tran claims are his being hijacked actually are? I mean, from what Dom has told me, Tran has ties to the Yakuza. That doesn\u2019t exactly scream legit by any means.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, we\u2019re looking into that, and it\u2019s more of a delicate operation since we don\u2019t want to tip anyone off.\u201d Lindsey rubbed at his face. \u201cBe careful who you trust, Brian. My gut says this whole operation is going to go balls-up before it\u2019s all said and done, and I don\u2019t want you getting caught in the crossfire.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian nodded. \u201cI can take care of myself, but I\u2019ll be careful. You be careful, too. You don\u2019t want to be catching the attention of someone who wouldn\u2019t think twice of getting rid of your ass if they thought you were too damn close to something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn the meantime, I\u2019ll work from my end, see if I can\u2019t get Dom to give me more information. Bilkins is really hung up on that whole assault thing with Dom, so I wanna know what that\u2019s all about. I\u2019m sure given some time to think about it, I can figure out how to approach it without irritating him. He\u2019s got a soft spot for me.\u201d He fully planned on just asking him, but he couldn\u2019t say that to Lindsey at the moment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust be careful. You don\u2019t want to tip your hand and make him suspicious.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian shook his head and smirked. \u201cTrust me, man. I know how to handle Dom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom wrapped his arms around Brian\u2019s waist as Brian put the last of his clothes in the drawers in Dom\u2019s bedroom. \u201cDavid said you had a question?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian snorted. \u201cTattletale.\u201d He grinned when Dom laughed into his neck. \u201cBilkins is fixated on the alleged assault that you got out of because they didn\u2019t press charges.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom rolled his eyes. \u201cA homophobic asshole decided he was going to take his bullshit beliefs out on Han with a steel baseball bat. Han was wearing earphones at the time and didn\u2019t hear him coming. He got in three good hits, the first to Han\u2019s head which had left him dazed, before I got there. Bastard ended up with several broken bones, including a jaw that was wired shut, and nobody saw nothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI made sure that none of the damage would be permanent because the bastard wouldn\u2019t learn a damn thing if he was dead or brain-damaged, but Han wasn\u2019t the first person he tried to hurt. He put three people in the hospital but no one was willing to cross him. Bastard picked the wrong damn person to go after, and he, of course, didn\u2019t press charges because he was too afraid of me and the idea that his own crimes might come out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he now?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn prison for murder. He fled the state, ended up in Florida, and about maybe a year after I knocked him around he ended up killing the son of some well-connected, rich businessman there. He received the death penalty for his inability to learn from his own assholery. My one big regret is I didn\u2019t end him before he took the life of a nineteen-year-old boy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d Brian said, shaking his head. \u201cI mean, I get why you didn\u2019t want to go there, but I also get why you regret it.\u201d He blew out a breath. Then he laughed a little. \u201cGot any more dark secrets you want to reveal since I\u2019m standing here clearly poking at old wounds?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He was joking, but Dom tilted his head and then took his hand. \u201cI want to show you something.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was joking, you know,\u201d Brian said, letting Dom guide him toward the stairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but I think you\u2019ll like this, even if it\u2019s a bit of a sad story.\u201d Dom took him through the house and out to the garage, over to the door that was always shut. He pressed the code into the keypad and then lifted the door.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian peered inside and found a cloth-covered car. He wasn\u2019t sure why it was here in its own separate section, but clearly it meant something to Dom.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHelp me with the cover,\u201d Dom said and Brian went to the opposite side of the car and helped him pull it off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Beneath the cover was a black Charger in pristine condition. \u201cOh, wow,\u201d he murmured, running his hand over the fender. \u201cShe\u2019s gorgeous.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s a beast,\u201d Dom said, laughing a little. \u201cA great white among fish. Nine hundred horses of pure Detroit muscle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you put her together?\u201d Brian asked him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA friend and I did, mostly. Han did help, but it was mostly a project that Marco and I worked on together. He was a Chosen who had a fascination with Chargers, this year in particular. He really wanted it, so I agreed to help him build it to his specifications.\u00a0 This was his baby. Ran her in Palmdale, nine seconds flat. He could barely keep control of her, she\u2019s got so much damn power.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s your best time with her?\u201d Brian asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom snorted. \u201cI\u2019ve never raced her. She scares the shit out of me, honestly.\u201d He grinned when Brian laughed, and then he motioned for Brian to join him. He pointed out one of the photos of himself and another man in front of the Charger. \u201cThat\u2019s Marco.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to him, Dom?\u201d Brian asked, wrapping an arm around Dom\u2019s waist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom blinked rapidly as his eyes started to shine a little. \u201cHe was an up and comer of the pro stock car circuit, and he was on his last race with her.\u201d He motioned to the car. \u201cNothing spectacular about it, it was going well, and then this other racer came from the inside and clipped his bumper. Hit the wall going 120. They say he died instantly on impact, but they were wrong. I could hear him screaming even though I was so far away from him. One of the curses of Vampire hearing. It still haunts me sometimes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian wrapped his arms fully around Dom and squeezed tight, giving comfort in the only way he could. \u201cWhen did you rebuild her?\u201d he asked after a while.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbout five years after the accident. We knew he\u2019d hate to see her like she was afterward, so I rebuilt her, and Han, Daniel, and David, who were all close to Marco as well, helped me. After the initial test drives to make sure everything was working properly, we put her in here, occasionally turn her on and check everything over, make sure she can go at the drop of a hat. We don\u2019t joy ride in her though. Never could bring ourselves to use her the way he would have wanted. Plus, that\u2019s a lot of fucking power under your ass.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian laughed a little. \u201cYeah, no kidding.\u201d He pressed a kiss to Dom\u2019s mouth. \u201cThanks for telling me about him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks for listening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

~*~<\/span><\/p>\n

A few days later, Dom and several of the others gathered around the table, while everyone else pulled up chairs in a second circle. Once everyone was settled, Dom looked at Brian, who had just returned from his meeting with the feebs and his boss.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian snorted and sat back. \u201cThey were completely baffled that the last shipment went by without so much as anyone looking at it sideways. They had a ton of questions and were gobsmacked when I lied and said that Dom, Han, and the rest of the group had gone out for some test driving without me at the same time the shipment was coming through the area. Bilkins appeared confused but underlying it was a considerable amount of fury.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably because Bilkins is in on the entire thing,\u201d Daniel said, holding a folder a couple of inches thick. \u201cLucas and Bridger have been busy little beavers, and\u2026Lucas did whatever he does that is effective but we probably never want to know about. Bilkins has been in touch with Tran in particular way more than one would expect, even if his alleged property is being stolen from his trucks. And he apparently calls from two different numbers. The official one is the one he uses way less, obviously, probably for calls that are sanctioned. Bilkins has also received a very generous sum of money in an offshore account.\u201d Daniel smirked at Brian. \u201cLucas says that Feed the Children was especially thankful for the anonymous donation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian burst out laughing. \u201cWell, we can\u2019t say he didn\u2019t have that one coming.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel nodded. \u201cSeveral other feebs are in on the whole thing, and it\u2019s clear from what Lucas was able to dig up that Tran is specifically having them target Dom. Bilkins is well-aware that the goods are coming from the Han family, but he doesn\u2019t seem to give a shit. He\u2019s all about the money. From what we can tell, all the feebs are simply corrupt assholes, and there is no indication that they know anything about Vampires in general, so we have that going for us.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think they\u2019re the kind that Tran would want to know unless necessary,\u201d Dom said. \u201cHe\u2019s notoriously picky about who he Turns when it comes to his associates. The only other time he Turns anyone is if it will get under the skin of another Vampire he hates.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLike when he turned Mia,\u201d Belle said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExactly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian tapped his pen on the table. \u201cWell, ADA McDonald is well-aware that something is rotten in Denmark, and he\u2019s digging into it further via the legal avenues. I\u2019ve warned him against being too careless, so I hope he listens. I don\u2019t know what Bilkins will do otherwise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we may find out sooner rather than later, because the Council has told Josiah basically to do what he\u2019s gotta do, so he\u2019s planning on taking out the Vamps at the warehouse after Lucas is finished with the security measures for the Lues. He\u2019s going to send in the rest of the Hunters and a few of the others who just like that sort of thing to get rid of a whole lot of Rogues and take back what\u2019s still there of the merchandise. He said it\u2019ll probably be another couple of weeks or so because Lucas has been concentrating first on the information gathering, but he\u2019s leaving the rest of it for Bridger to work through.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adam frowned. \u201cWhat\u2019s Tran\u2019s angle, though? This seems like an awful lot to go through just to get on our nerves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a combination of doing it to poke at Border and Dom in general,\u201d Nathan said, \u201cand probably wanting the money that fencing property would generate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut for what?\u201d David asked. \u201cHe\u2019s got the backing of a whole criminal syndicate. He has to be making quite a bit of money anyway from whatever shady shit he\u2019s up to. Yeah, his bulbs aren\u2019t all screwed in tightly, but that doesn\u2019t equate to the level of intrigue and detail this took to set up. He went through a lot of trouble to bring in the FBI, and remember he\u2019s laying a big chunk of change on them to cooperate.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesse hummed as he looked through the pages that held the calculations for lost merchandise. \u201cWhere\u2019s the pages for the money they paid out to the feebs?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel handed it over and Jesse looked at it and frowned. \u201cHonestly, what he\u2019s paid out to these guys, Bilkins especially, is more than the stolen merchandise is worth. It\u2019s definitely not fiscally sound if his goal is to increase his cash flow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom frowned. \u201cSo we\u2019re missing something when it comes to Tran and his plans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEither we\u2019re missing something right in front of us, or he\u2019s playing a long game and this is just step one,\u201d Han said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd at this point, there\u2019s no telling what it is,\u201d Vince said, blowing out a breath. \u201cMan, I hate that asshole.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian laughed a little at that. \u201cAlright, so what do we do? Because there\u2019s no way we\u2019re going to be able to figure out what he\u2019s up to at this point, and I doubt Bilkins or the others know anything beyond them wanting money in their sketchy accounts.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom tapped his fingers on the table. \u201cRace Wars is coming up in a couple of weeks. We\u2019ll leave any shipments alone until that time. I have no doubt that one will come up right when the races are going on just so he can see what we\u2019ll do, so we\u2019ll send out a group to take care of that one specifically. As far as he knows, we\u2019re it, so I doubt he\u2019s thinking that Daniel, David, and Belle are around, and he certainly wouldn\u2019t think I\u2019d bring in Adam and Nathan to be a part of it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll leave them flat-footed and scrambling to figure out what we\u2019re up to, give us time to prepare for everything, and it\u2019s not like we need to retrieve the goods. The Clan can provide compensation for the stolen goods to the Lue family, though I do think it\u2019s a good life lesson to not entrust your livelihood to an idiot.\u201d Han barked out a laugh and raised his glass of juice in response. \u201cAnd maybe it\u2019ll relax those at the warehouse in Mexico enough that it\u2019ll make it easier on that group to deal with them.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs there anything else we need to worry about right now?\u201d Leon asked. \u201cOther than getting Brian\u2019s car ready for Race Wars, which we need to get done so we can make sure he can handle the damn thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI call dibs on his paint job,\u201d Suki called out. \u201cI\u2019ll order what I need after I look at the car.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Daniel looked at Brian. \u201cTrust me. You want her to be willing to paint your car.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian laughed. \u201cOkay then. I can\u2019t think of anything else we need to talk about at the moment.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dom shook his head. \u201cMe either. If there is, we\u2019re all going to be in the same place\u2026mostly. Everyone just be careful. If you gotta go out, use the buddy system. Not knowing what Tran might really be up to has my hackles up and I don\u2019t want him catching you guys out. And whatever you do, stay out of the area he\u2019s designated as his territory.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He pointed to Daniel, David, and Belle. \u201cTry not to be seen around too much by anyone. We want Tran to not know you\u2019re around if we can at all help it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Belle nodded. \u201cWe\u2019re more than happy to stay around here. I\u2019d prefer it if you and Han escorted Suki anywhere she needs to go for what she needs to buy. You know how Tran is about Turning people we surround ourselves with\u2026or they disappear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll make sure she\u2019s protected,\u201d Dom assured her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a few more minutes of chatter, they all dispersed, most of them heading outside. Dom and Brian found themselves alone in the dining room and Brian ran his hand over Dom\u2019s shoulders. \u201cYou okay?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I just don\u2019t like not having all the information. I don\u2019t trust a lot of people, but Tran is on a whole level of distrust all on his own. He\u2019s honestly a nightmare, and I\u2019m pretty sure I\u2019ll throw a damn party the day that bastard is dusted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brian snorted. \u201cCome on. Let\u2019s go finish my car.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Title: Shifting Tides – Episode 4: Reunions Author: Gil Grissom Pairings: Dom\/Brian, other background pairings Rating: PG Summary: The rest of the group converges on Los Angeles and they find out some more information about the players on the board.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1003,137],"tags":[732,1004,86],"class_list":["post-19222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sylum-advent-2021","category-sylum-events","tag-series-shifting-tides","tag-sylum-advent-2021","tag-writer-gil-grissom"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Da1M-502","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9691,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-2017-december-23rd\/","url_meta":{"origin":19222,"position":0},"title":"Sylum Advent 2017: December 23rd","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"December 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"*** Title: Episode Three \u2013 Revelations Season: Shifting Tides Author: Starkindler Main Pairings: Dom\/Han Background Pairings: Adam\/Nathan Rating: R Summary: More is revealed about Vampires and Brian figures out just how deep he's landed in it. Link to Archive","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Advent: 2017"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Advent: 2017","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/sylum-advent-2017\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2017.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15409,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-2019-day-twenty-third\/","url_meta":{"origin":19222,"position":1},"title":"Sylum Advent 2019: Day Twenty-Third","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"December 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Artwork: Shifting Tides Bookcover Artist: Gil Grissom","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Advent: 2019"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Advent: 2019","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/sylum-advent-2019\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bar-banner_advent2019.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":506,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-december-9th-the-perfect-gift-by-gil-grissom\/","url_meta":{"origin":19222,"position":2},"title":"Sylum Advent – December 9th: The Perfect Gift by Gil Grissom","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"December 9, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"December 9th Title:\u00a0The Perfect Gift Author:\u00a0Gil Grissom Pairings\/Characters:\u00a0Dom\/Brian, Daniel Boone, David Crockett Rating:\u00a0FRAO Summary:\u00a0Daniel and David's gift on their fifth-year Bonding anniversary wasn't anything they'd ever expected, but it was more than welcome. 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Art:\u00a0taibhrigh \u00a0 Link to Sylum Archive \u00a0 Please reply to this post for comments\/observations","rel":"","context":"In "Sylum Advent: 2012"","block_context":{"text":"Sylum Advent: 2012","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/category\/sylum-events\/sylum-advent-2012\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/banner_advent2012-final.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":559,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/sylum-advent-december-24th-the-other-side-of-the-coin-by-gil-grissom\/","url_meta":{"origin":19222,"position":4},"title":"Sylum Advent – December 24th: The Other Side of the Coin by Gil Grissom","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"December 24, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"December 24th \u00a0 Title:\u00a0 The Other Side of the Coin Author:\u00a0Gil Grissom Pairings\/Characters:\u00a0Roman Pearce\/Tej Parker; Daniel Boone, David Crockett Rating:\u00a0FRM Summary:\u00a0\u00a0Tej wants to know what Rome's been hiding for the last few days. 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