sixwordstories | (no subject)

We all do.

[The man snorts and takes a swig of his beer. He's not in the mood for Brian's "I was Letty's friend too" bullshit.] Right.

[Brian leans forward, frowning.] I thought we were past this shit, Dom.

We're past it. Just think you need to stop talking about Letty like you two were tight.

You have no idea what went down when you were in Rio. None. You were so far off the grid you were invisible and Letty came to me.

[His grip tightens around his beer bottle. Dom doesn't like thinking about that, Letty going to him.] Then why don't you tell me.

It was police business. You were on the right track, following Braga. You didn't need my help.

Didn't want my help.

And here I thought we were past that.

Fine, man. Whatever. We're past it. So let me mourn my friend.

[His free hand balls into a fist and he slams it down on the counter.

Maybe Brian and Letty did share something that Dom hadn't been a part of, that he could never be a part of. Didn't mean he had to like it.

In fact, he hated it.]

She should never have come to you.

[There's a flinch for the violent reaction but Brian doesn't rise to the bait. He won't.] Maybe not. But she didn't have a choice; the FBI tagged her as soon as she got stateside, Dom. I was just trying to keep her out of lockup.

[He shakes his head.] I should have -

[Not left her.

Done something.

Something.]

I just wanted to keep her safe.

So did I. That's all I wanted.

I failed. [Brian stands up, walking a few steps away from the table and crossing his arms over his chest.] I'm sorry.

[Dom had messed up too.]

There's nothing to apologize for.

I never wanted her to get hurt, Dom. You have to believe that. I was doing what I knew how to keep her outta cuffs.

[He turns his head in Brian's direction and stares him down.] I said there was nothing to apologize for.

[Don't make it worse, Brian. What's done is done. They both messed up, and it cost Letty her life.]

I wasn't apologizing, I was explaining. [But Brian's real good at digging a grave. He's done it before for himself. A few times.]

[Don't mind the mad man in the trunk of your car.]

Oh, I have someone that I miss very much too. Well I've got a lot of wonderful friends. It's a horrible part of life. It just gets worse as you go on.