Canon is Need For Speed. Stop being a child, Shelby.

[shelbycobra]

Don't tell me that. No, it's not that third place sucks, it's that I gave back 18 points in the championship by being in third place. We've got two races to go, and mathematically unless I win one of them or he does something insane, he can still beat me.

Do you realize that? I can be the most consistent driver the entire season long and still lose.

[Sighs, pinches bridge of nose.]

This is why I tell people not to tell me points standings. They make me crazy.

It's not that I wouldn't be happy for him if he won. We're all friends here and I know he's worked just as hard as I have to get to this point. But this is as close as I've ever been, and I've given up a lot to make it happen, I don't want to lose it now.

Even if - especially if - I still have to have that conversation with Michael. Which I don't even know if I should have. But if I'm going to talk to him about that, then this could be the only shot that I get. How can I waste that after everything?

Yeah, I think I'm going crazy.

Comments

[bravoes]

Everyone goes a bit mad.

[shelbycobra]

Michael. [A tight smile.] I'm sorry you had to hear that.

[bravoes]

You never need to apologize.

[shelbycobra]

I think I do. Shane's right, I'm pouting in the corner. [Shakes her head and slings down her gear bag with an audible thunk.] We should probably talk. About you and me and Damien and whatever you want to do now.

[bravoes]

I'm all ears for anything you want to say.

[shelbycobra]

I just want to know what you want to do. What you want us to do. [Sighs and sits down, cringing at her back flaring up again.] Because I've realized that what I choose to do with my career, depends on what I'm going to do with the rest of my life.

I can't have both.

[bravoes]

Why can't you have both?

[shelbycobra]

That's not how this works.

[Now Shelby finally understands how her father felt 28 years ago.]

Living together, if we get married someday, that I can do. But if you ever decide that you want to have children...it's physically impossible for me to race like that. And I don't see a team willing to keep me on a contract if I'm not racing. I think that is where it will end.

And I don't know if I'm okay with that.

[Totally not knowing your romantic history so we're sorry if this brings up bad memories, dude.]

[bravoes]

[He is quiet for a moment before he shakes his head. He'd never ask something like that of her. He isn't that guy, he's more selfless than selfish.]

I'd never ask that of you.

[shelbycobra]

[Exhaling a tight breath. Staring at her hands, he knows she's wanted to settle down, and it's sounded like he does, too.]

Would you still want to be with me if it takes a few years? Or --

Because if this is the only chance I have to win a championship I don't want to fuck it up.

[bravoes]

Sweetheart you take as long as you need.

[shelbycobra]

[A relieved smile. She'd been worried he would leave, same as her mother did to her father.]

Thank you, Michael. That means a lot to me.

[Standing to thank him with a soft kiss.]

I know I said I wouldn't give a fuck about it, but now that it seems like something I can do I actually give a fuck. Is that lame?

[bravoes]

Not lame in the least.

[shelbycobra]

I thought I'd be happy if I won a race and now all I can think is I want that goddamned trophy.

[Chuckles, and shakes her head.]

Any idea what you're going to do yet?

[bravoes]

Nothing wrong with that. What all racers want ultimately.


I really have no clue. Been a soldier so long.

[shelbycobra]

I'm really worried that you won't feel like a part of this.

[bravoes]

Don't you worry about that.

[shelbycobra]

I can't help it. My mother left my father because of a choice he made in his career. I won't see that happen to us.

[She pauses for a moment, reaching out her hand to him.]

You know, you haven't touched me once in this whole conversation.

[bravoes]

Just thinking back on some things is all. [Smiles and draws her close to him.]

[shelbycobra]

If you want to talk about it...?

[bravoes]

I am not going to add to your plate Love. [He kisses her temple.]

[shelbycobra]

Okay. But I'm here for you. And thank you for being here for me.

[bravoes]

I told you I would be, Shelby.

[shelbycobra]

Still. I couldn't do this without you. A race team is only as strong as the whole team.