The Prancing Horse

XIV

Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion from when Xavier came a took me to meet him on the podium to where Charles dipped me back and kissed me in front of the whole crowd. Then time sped up as I heard a shot ring and I jumped in front of Charles. "NO!" He yelled as I fell to the ground. 

"C-Charles...I love you." I whispered and he shook his head 

"Don't leave me! I can't do this without you!" He cried and I smiled. 

"You are so loved," I whispered and then felt Lewis fall to his knees beside me. "Hold on!" He whispered to me and I touched his face, "You really were the perfect brother I never had." I whispered and it all went black.

***

"I know we haven't talked a lot recently...but umm if you would wake up soon that would be very nice because, em... bwoah you're gonna make me cry again. I promise that I will get ice cream with you at every race and that I'll call you on the phone once a week. So could you please wake up?" I heard the voice of none other than Kimi pleading. 

"If you promise I can get three scoops," I whispered and Kimi jumped.

 "Scarlett!" He exclaimed and I opened my eyes to see tears in his eyes. 

"Hey Ice Man," I said and he started half laughing half crying. 

"Don't cry!" I exclaimed grabbing his hand and a doctor came in. "

"Your majesty, welcome back, you have been in a medically induced coma and have been out for a month." He informed me. 

"I just got shot in the chest though!" I exclaimed and he shook his head. 

"Ma'am your sister managed to sabotage the transport helicopter which resulted in a crash broke a leg and had a puncture to your stomach. You were dead for 15 minutes before we revived you. You have healed quickly though and I can let your go early." He explained to me and I just nodded. 

"What about Sapphire?" I asked and the doctor shifted uncomfortably and looked to Kimi. 

"Sapphire was killed in the crash along with her child," Kimi said and I just nodded again. I could care less about my sister. She doesn't even deserve to be called my sister. 

"Ma'am you are welcome to leave your discharge papers have been signed." The doctor said and left after I thanked him generously. 

"How are the boys?" I asked and Kimi chucked. 

"A mess. Lewis is dead silent. Norris is pretty much the same. Daniel hasn't laughed or told a joke. Vettel has become cold and rude. All in all the grid is not as it should be." He said but I could tell he was hiding something. 

"Spill it!" I exclaimed.

 Kimi looked down "Scarlett, Charles quit racing but is still traveling." Kimi said and my heart dropped.  

 "We need to get to the US now!" I exclaimed and Kimi deadpanned. I looked around and out of my window, I saw the Empire State Building. "Why am I in NYC?" I questioned. 

"It was in your file that you would be treated once stable in NYU's hospital."

 I swung my legs over the bed and saw a bag for me. I searched through it and found a good outfit. I changed into the black knee-high boots, black jeans, and Charles' red Ferrari hoodie after a quick shower. Teenage loungewear with a twist. I did my hair and makeup and soon Kimi and I were headed to JFK Airport. 

"Are we taking a private jet?" I asked and he nodded. Soon we made it and were flying high toward Austin. "Kimi, how are you?" I asked and he smiled "I stopped drinking vodka because I Know you hate when I drink." He said and I burst out laughing.

 "Excuse me! Can we get a bottle of vodka!" I called a flight attendant. The rest of the flight we talked, laughed and cried, but I noticed something was off with Kimi and he wouldn't drink vodka. I brushed it off as we drove to the track where everyone should be asleep. We left at midnight, it took 4 hours and now it about 5 in the morning, but they are an hour behind so it's only four. 

Soon we were pulling into the Ritz Carlton where the drivers were staying. "So I'm going to leave to let you visit whoever, but you should see Charles last because you're not going to want to leave." He announced and I agreed. 

"Bye Kimi and thank you more than you know," I said hugging my friend and heading to go see the boys after getting keycards to the rooms.

 I slipped into Daniel's place but saw he had a party with Max who was crashed on the couch. I sat on Daniel's bed and was wrapped in a bear hug. "Don't you ever do that again." He whispered and let go. 

"I promise...now go back to sleep," I whispered kissing his cheek and he fell back asleep. Max was sitting up when I left the bedroom and a smile broke on his face. "I remember your voice from when I was in a coma." I said and he nodded. "hey we'll talk more later but you need your sleep." I said and he gave me a sleepy thumbs up and was snoring again. 

I went to Lando's room next, but he was sound asleep. "Lando," I whispered softly running a hand through his curls. 

"Go away." He murmured.

"Lando it's me," I said softly and started himself awake. 

"Scarlett!" He whisper exclaimed and pulled me in gently for a hug. "You are amazing." He said and I laughed. 

"Lando, I'm just here to say hi, but you need your rest," I said and he nodded. I looked at him in the dark and smiled to myself over how grown up he's become. Next was Sebastian who was sitting with the lights on as he stared off into space. 

"Sebastian..." I whispered and the next thing I knew I was in a hug. 

"I'm really happy you're ok." He whispered and I nodded. 

"I feel like a broken record but you boys need to rest. Go to sleep and I'll come to wake you up." I explained. "Thank you Scarlett and..." we were cut off by screams. 

"That would be Lewis and his nightmares," Seb said and my heart dropped. "I'm fine and going to bed. Go take care of him." Seb said and I ran off after a quick hug. When I went into Lewis's room he was thrashing in his bed. 

"Please take me instead! Don't kill her!" He yelled and I strode over to his bedside. 

"Lewis Hamilton wake up right now," I said softly and he jumped and just stared at me. 

"You're here!" He exclaimed and then started crying. 

"I'm not going anywhere," I assured and he wrapped me in a hug. 

He broke away frantically, "You need to go send Charles now! Convince him not to quit. He said he might not race today because it's your third favorite race!" He exclaimed and I nodded. "It was utter hell without you. If this was you showing me what life would be without out you... I don't think I would make it in a world without you." He said. 

"I'm here for good, I promise," I said and he nodded. "Now SLEEP!"I demanded and left for my final destination. 

Charles was sound asleep and I quietly changed into a pair of his sweatpants and t-shirt. I slipped into bed with him as he stirred. "You could've died and the last interaction you had with me was awful. I have had the better part of my heart ripped out and stomped on. I love you so much it hurts. I will do anything you want for a lifetime to make this up to you." He cried while snuggling into and tears rolled down my face as well. 

"Can I start with the favors now Mon Amour?" I asked and he nodded. "That you race today," I said and he stiffened. Buckle up, because it's going to be a bumpy ride.