Final Lap - Sambucky AU

183

The End of the Season

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the end of the season once again! This year we have yet another tie, between the married couple! Natasha and Clara are yet again tied for the championship! Who will win! The Grim Reaper from Mercedes, or the Ferrari Princess!"

Clara turned the TV off. "I hate being called a princess." She said as she headed back over to her computer as Natasha sat on the couch and watched her.

"I know. Grim Reaper grew on me, but I hate how I got it." She said as she got up and peeked over Clara a shoulder.

She saw her working on some clothing designs. "You really do like fashion." Natasha said taking an interest.

Clara nodded slightly. She sighed and looked at Natasha. "I need to talk to you." Natasha immediately went into panic mode, scanning the house wondering if she didn't do something.

"Calm down Natasha, you didn't do anything." Natasha took a sigh of relief. "Alright, what's up?"

"I have been racing for... 3-4 years now. And, I don't think I want to do it anymore." Clara said as she sat down on the couch. Natahsa stayed standing.

"Ive been really interested in modeling and starting a fashion company. I love racing don't get me wrong, but I want to try something new. I can always come back if I want to." Clara said as she looked at Natasha.

"How long have you been thinking about this?" Natasha asked.

"A few months." Clara said. "Even before we were married. I just wanna try something new..." she said as she watched Natasha sit next of her.

"Do you want to do this?" Natasha asked her as she held her hand.

"Yes. I really do." Clara said as she squeezed her hand. Natasha nodded as she kissed her hand gently.

"Alright. Only if you beat me in the championship." Natasha said as she looked at her. Clara looked shocked.

"I know we're tied, but my car isn't going to perform well in Abu Dhabi... it never does." Clara said.

"I want you to have a championship before you potentially take a step back from F1, but I want to fight for it." Natasha said as she looked at her.

Clara understood it would benefit her having a championship. She sighed and nodded. "I'll give it my all them." She smiled softly.

"Good! Now, let's order some sushi and enjoy the eve before your first championship win!" Natasha said right before she was tackled onto the couch with a kiss.

Natahsa laughed as Clara kissed her cheeks a bunch, and then kissed her neck. "I am the most lucky woman in the world." Clara said.

"Honestly, I think I'm luckier than you." Natahsa said.

"And why is that?" Clara asked.

"Cause I have this gorgeous view right now." She said looking up at Clara as she laid on the couch. Clara just blushed slightly.

"Flirt."

"You started it." Natasha teased.

The next day, was race day. Clara zipped up her racing suit. As she did, Natasha came over and smiled through her helmet. "Show me what you got today!" Natasha said.

Clara nodded with a soft smirk. "Got it."

The racers go onto the track. The lights ticked down to green. The racers took off. Natasha led the pack. Clara overtook Mina rather quickly and continued to get to the front of the pack.

Natasha was making a decent gap, but she still cautious of Clara making her way through the ranks.

Around the third to last lap, Clara overtook Kylo who was behind Natasha. Natasha smirked as she crossed the line indicating it was the last lap.

"Mother..." little Clara said as she walked over to her mom.

"Yes darling?" Peggy said as she looked at her little girl. Clara looked at her. "Could I ever become a world champion in F1?" She asked calmly.

"Of course you can!" Peggy said with a smile.

"Then why hasn't there been any other girls that are champions?" Clara asked, looking at her mother with her big brown eyes.

Peggy sighed and held her hand tight in hers. "Because everyone is waiting got the right lady to win. I think you're the right lady? Hmmm?" Peggy wasn't going to break her little girls heart by saying sexist or misogyny.

"Yeah! I'm the right lady!"

Clara pushed her car to its limits. Clara was trying to close the gap even further to Natasha.

"Ms. Clara, you truly have an impressive track record, wonderful amount of podiums, but..." the Teacher for the second age group sighed.

"I don't think you have the potential to go further than karting. And I'm training champions..." he said to her. She looked at him shocked.

"But... I know I can!" She said feeling like she was going to cry.

"Clara... girls don't make it to F1 and become champions." He said as he closed her file. "They simply don't." He handed her back her résumé.

"There's a reason why men are the only ones in the sport."

Clara overtook Natasha at the last minute and went in front of her, defending her spot. She pushed and crossed the line first.

"YES! WE DID IT!" Clara said over her intercom to her team. She threw her fist in the air and smiled bright.

"Yes! YES GOOD JOB CLARA!" Sam said into her ear as Natasha pulled beside her. Natasha gave her a thumbs up, and Clara sent one back to her.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The first British woman to become a world champion, and the second woman overall! Clara Carter!"

Clara stood on the podium as the British anthem played. Natasha stared up at her wife from second. Clara looked at her and smiled.

Clara stepped down and kissed her. Natasha removed her hat and kissed her. "Congrats..."
Natasha said quietly to her.

"Thank you." Clara said softly to her. The two backed up and started the champagne spray. Clara was attacked with champagne as the groups cheered.

After this, Clara announced she would be taking a step back from F1 to focus on other pursuits.

It as a joint statement released by both Clara and Natasha. It was bittersweet for Natasha, losing her rival.... but...

She was happy for Clara, no matter what.