The Drifters

"What's going on Seria, does he not love me anymore?" Rachel pouted as she looked over at Seria with big eyes.

Reid was clearly steamed as he headed over to his car, he didn't want to say a word knowing he was on the verge of breaking.

"No, I think it might be the opposite," Seria admitted with a frown. "But Rachel, you haven't exactly treated him well."

West quietly accompanied him. He wanted to let Reid be the first to speak.

"But what have I done wrong? I just wanted to give him a little space," Rachel frowned.

"I'm done with her, I can't do this anymore. She drives me nuts," Reid growled as he opened his door and plopped down into the drivers seat.

"Did you feel he needed it?" Seria asked her carefully, something about this seemed odd to her.

"And yet you still like her," West pointed out carefully as he leaned lightly against Reid's door. "That still means something."

"Well he was getting boring, he just spent all his time in the garage," Rachel tried to defend herself."

"That's the thing West, I don't know if she's worth it. Maybe we just aren't meant for each other," Reid slumped in his seat at the thought.

"You can't call him boring and expect him to want to stay with you," Seria pointed out carefully. "If you like him you need to accept every part of him. Have you talked to him about it?"

"Or maybe you are," West spoke carefully as he watched his friend. "Maybe this is just the first real test of your relationship. Have you talked to her about any of it?"

"Well no, we haven't really seen each other in...." Rachel faded out realizing how long it has been since they were last together for any amount of time.

"I have tried West but she always backs out on me, I have only seen her twice in the last two months. She has ignored all my calls and texts, how is this a test? How are we going to get through this?" Reid asked desperately.

"Then maybe that's your problem," Seria pointed out carefully. "You need to talk to him, be in his life. If you disappear then what good is this relationship for either of you?"

"I'm not sure," West admitted with a deep frown. "But since she is here I really think you should both talk, try to figure this out one way or another."

"I guess not, I guess I should go talk to him," Rachel sighed.

"I suppose so but I don't want her to know about what we are doing. Not just yet," Reid admitted.

"Then make up something," West shrugged as he spoke. "She knows about the races. Just tell her that you had a friend who was racing in Japan and you wanted to go see it."

Seria nodded and turned to steer her out, she needed to talk to her husband as well.

"I have a plan but I will drop her off first and talk with Seria with you then I will talk with her," Reid decided and when the girls came out he explained what he wanted to do.

West was happy for his idea, more than anything he was relieved that he wouldn't have to face Seria alone. Although she was a little wary Seria agreed to it as well.

When they reached West's house and Rachel had been dropped off he asked to see Seria alone, he wanted to be the one to tell her.

Seria agreed and had West take care of the kids while she took Reid out to the patio, she was just glad that he was going to explain.

"I'm sorry that we had to go Seria, but we didn't know if we could tell you what we were doing. We just wanted to keep you safe," Reid started carefully. "I don't know what West told you about what has been going on but recently the two of us have been hired by a contractor to help with the safety of the general population."

"What kind of contractor?" Seria frowned as she watched him, it was clear she didn't know anything about it. "What does this involve exactly?"

"So it's a private security company that works to bring down national threats by taking their money," Reid said carefully. "We do that by winning races around the world."

"That sounds dangerous," Seria pointed out carefully, she looked like she wasn't sure how she should react. "Why did you let yourselves get talked into this?"

"They offered good money and protection for those that matter the most to us," Reid explained. "I did it though because I have nothing to lose."

"You have everything to lose," Seria frowned as she looked at him. "You could lose your life, Reid. You mean more to the people around you than you think. What do you think West would do if you died?"

"If it means keeping you and the kids safe he will get over it. Yes, I know it's dangerous but you should see the team that they have, they need help. Right now their best racer is no more than 21, she is still just a kid. They need our help," Reid tried to explain.

Seria seemed to eye him for a moment before she wordlessly stepped forward and wrapped him in a tight hug. "Please stay safe, both of you," she asked of him with clear apprehension in her voice. "I don't want to see either of you get hurt."

Reid held her close, "we will do our best and I promise you Seria here and now that I will be sure that West will always come back to your side."

"Thank you." Trying to hide her slight shaking Seria buried her head in his neck as she tightened her grasp on him. She was terrified for both of their sakes but she knew there was no real way to stop them.

"Let it out, it's going to be okay. I promise," Reid said softly as he pulled her close and lightly rubbed her back.