Chapter Eleven

Alex stepped out into the chilly air, smiling at Derek. "Hi, sorry to keep you waiting." Alex apologized, locking the door.

"It's no problem. I wasn't waiting long." Derek smiled, "Uh, these are for you." He held out a bouquet of Gerbera Daisies with Baby breaths. He'd spent around 20 minutes in the flower shop trying to figure out what to get Alex, so Derek really hoped he liked these.

Alex gazed dropped too the organ and pink flowers surrounded by baby breath, "They're lovely." Alex whispered, taking the flowers. "Thank you, you didn't have to get me any." Alex muttered, taking a sniff of the flowers. They smelled different from the first bouquet of flowers Derek got him but he couldn't pinpoint what was different.

All he knows is that he likes them.

Derek smiled, relieved that Alex liked them, "I know." He shrugged, "But you're worth the money." Alex smiled at him beneath his lashes making Derek's heart skip a beat. "Ready?"

"Yeah." Alex nodded.

Derek held out his arm, Alex chuckled but slipped his arm under his letting Derek lead him to his car.

***

"So," Alex leaned forward "How has your week been? I know you've been on a case." Alex smiled as the waiter set down their cappuccinos.

"Busy." Derek commented, grabbing his coffee. "But other than that, I've been working on a house downtown. Should be finished in a few weeks." Derek was really proud of this one. A one story open floor plan with three rooms.

"Nice." Alex sipped his drink, "How do you know about this stuff? Did you go to school for it?" He went to trade school only to get the license but Alex did learn a few things about fixing older cars.

"I worked construction for some time. After I joined the BAU, I went to trade school on the days I didn't work, and did some online." Derek shrugged. "I like to keep my hands busy."

Alex's gaze traveled down, the cup looked small in Derek's hands. Oh wow, I wonder- No! Bad Alex. Alex cleared his throat, brown eyes meeting Derek's amused ones making him blush darkly. "Anyways!" Alex's voice raised a pitch. Derek laughed amused. God if someone was watching them it would seem like Alex was the inexperienced Gay and not Derek.

"How's the shop?" Derek asked, saving Alex from any more embarrassment. As much as he found a flush Alex adorable he would like to be the only one who sees him like that.

"It's good. I had a karen for a customer a few days ago but..." Alex shrugged in a 'what can you do?'. Alex paused wondering if he should tell Derek about the cops before deciding against it. The police said the guy was in the hospital, he didn't need to worry about it.

"The race today should be good though." Alex continued, "I can't wait to get back on the track."

"I've never seen a race before." Derek admitted.

The waiter came back before Alex could answer, "Alright, we got the French toast with a side of syrup."

Alex raised his hand, "Mine."

The waiter set the food in front of Alex, "And that means the breakfast sandwich is yours."

"Yes, sir." Derek nodded. The waiter set the plate down in front of Derek.

"Anything else?"

Derek looked at Alex who shook his head. "No, we're all good here." Derek told the waiter.

"Okay, if you need anything, call me over." The waiter smiled before leaving.

Alex looked down at his food, smiling at how good it looked. "So you've never seen a race?" Alex asked, pouring syrup over his French Toast. "Not once?" Derek shook his head, taking a bite of his food almost moaning at the taste. It was good and the croissant was warm, just how he liked it. "Well, I'm glad your first race is going to be mine." Alex smiled.

Derek smiled back, he couldn't wait. He never went to a race before. He wanted to but growing up they could never afford it and now he was so busy he never made time to go out and get tickets.

Tickets.

"Wait," Derek swallowed his food, "Do I buy the tickets there? I don't know how this goes."

Alex shook his head, "Normally you would but racers and their crew get 5 tickets for their families and friends. Best seats in the stands." Alex never used his tickets before. His workers at the shop sometimes came to his races but they always bought their tickets and Stella was already with him so he didn't have to worry about her.

It was the first time since Alex's started his F1 career, he'd get to use one of the tickets.

"Oh," Derek muttered. "Well then . . . I can't wait to see you race." Derek smiled. His first race, and it was to watch his . . . what even is Alex? Derek will find out later . . . race. He couldn't wait.

***

Alex walked towards his car, Stella, Jamie and Liam walking behind him. "Make sure to keep those turns sharp, try to keep close to the middle, not the wall." Jamie told him, handing Alex his gloves.

"Otero is the one you have to look out for." Liam added, "He's won almost every race he's been in this season, a few dirty tricks to get first place." Liam shook his head. Otero was the threat race, and if Alex wanted to win, he had to keep an eye out on him.

"And whatever you do," The four stopped in front of Alex's car. "Don't die." Stella sternly said.

Alex chuckled, "I won't," he promised, climbing in the car, putting on his helmet. "Can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear."

Alex took a deep breath, pulling out of the pit and driving towards the starting line. He took a moment to look out at the crowd, finding Derek immediately sitting in the family section.

Derek sat with a bucket of popcorn and a soda, staring out at the track. Just waiting for him to start, and Alex promised to win this race. If this was Derek's first race then he'll make sure it's the best race he's ever raced.

Alex focused back on the track, hands gripping the wheel tightly.

"Ready for this Alex?" Jamie asked.

Alex let out a soft breath, "Yeah." He glanced at Derek once more. "I'm ready to win."

Alex breathed deeply, pushing everything out of his mind, blocking out the cheering. His only focus was on the tack and James in his ear. Right when that green flag was waved, Alex stepped on the gas.

Derek leaned forward, watching intently as the cars raced off, keeping his eyes on the car he knew belonged to Alex. Alex was in the lead, turning sharply around the bend. Derek didn't understand much about what was happening but he loved it.

Alex shifted gears, keeping his hands tight around the wheel breaking and switching lanes when a car cut in front of him.

"That was Otero. Keep your distance." Jamie warned.

Alex didn't say anything but he sped up, cutting in front of another car, passing the finish line and starting the second round.

"How you doing Alex?"

Alex clenched his jaw when his wheels started locking up, "Locking up. Get the crew ready, pulling in at the next round." Alex warned, rounding the next bend, holding the wheel steady when he felt the wheels slip a bit.

Derek's breath caught in his throat when he saw Alex slip a bit, releasing a sigh when Alex steady the car again.

"First time?" A woman from Derek's left asked.

Derek glanced at her, "Yeah."

"Kelly." The woman introduced herself. "And don't worry, if anything happens, the pit crew will get the driver out quickly." Kelly reassured Derek.

Derek nodded, it made him feel a little better but he was still scared of something happening to his - Alex.

"Alex that was close, are you sure you don't want to pull in now?" Jamie asked, gripping the mike tightly.

Alex grunted, pulling back behind a car when Otero tried pushing him off the track, "I'm sure." Alex grunted, switching lanes to the other side and flooring it, passing Otero once again. "Pulling in soon." Alex promised.

Liam gave the pit crew the single to get ready.

"Please be okay." Stella muttered.

When Alex passed the second round still in first place, he pulled into the pit. His crew surrounded the car, working fast to switch out the tires. It took only a minute before Alex was back on the track.

"How many laps was this?" Derek asked Kelly, sharing some of his popcorn.

"38. Still have about 10 or so laps to make." Kelly told him, popping a few pieces in his mouth. "Knight is in the lead." Kelly cheered.

"You're a fan?" Derek asked.

Kelly nodded, "My husband's on the pit crew. I love watching the racers. How about you? Who are you here for?" Kelly asked.

Derek smiled a little watching as Alex joined the race again. "Alex."

Kelly looked at him shocked, "You're with Alex? Alex Knight?" Derek nodded, a little confused wondering why she was so shocked. Kelly must have noticed the confusion and gave a shy smile. "Sorry, it's just . . . Alex never invited anyone to watch his games. I'm just surprised."

Derek blinked. He did not expect that. Alex never had anyone watch his races? Why? From what Derek is seeing he's amazing, the controlled turns, and maneuvering around cars, Derek thought Alex would have wanted everyone to see this.

Though Derek couldn't lie, a part of him was happy he was the first person Alex brought to his race. The only person! It made his heart flutter just thinking about it. His first ever race was also Alex's first race bringing someone. Derek smiled to himself, cheering with Kelly when Alex finished round 3 in first, entering round 4.

Liam watched the race with a keen eye, keeping a look at the other cars surrounding Alex, when he noticed, Otero car coming in from the side. "Alex, look out! Right side!" Liam shouted into his mike.

The warning came too late. Alex grunted, grinding his teeth together as his car was forced off the track, his grip on the wheel faltering when the car spun out of control.

The crowd gasped when Alex's car was forced off the track, straight into the turf.

"Oh no." Kelly gasped.

Derek clenched his jaw, watching Alex car, waiting for any movement.

"Alex! Alex, are you okay?!" Jamie yelled into her mike.

Alex groaned, letting out a harsh breath, "I'm good." He replied, getting his car back into drive. He had one more lap, and if he got back in now, he could still win this. "I'm going back in." Alex told Jamie.

Liam glanced at Jamie and Stella worried. Alex's back wheel was smoking and most likely punctured. Driving on that could be dangerous. "Alex, are you sure?" Liam asked.

Alex took a deep breath, "I'm going to win this." He muttered pushing back on the track.

"And it looks like Knight is back in the race! But can he catch up is the real question!"

Derek leaned forward, "Come on Alex." He muttered. "You got this."

Alex tightened his grip on the wheel, weaving through two cars, "I got this." Alex murmured, switching gears, speeding up. When he felt the friction of his back wheel Alex switched gears again, lighting up a little until he felt it lessen, then sped up again.

"Alex, one more lap! You're almost there, just one more lap you can still beat Otero."

Alex locked in, blocking out everything around him. The cheers, Jamie and Liam in his ear, he blocked it all out and focused on the road in front of him.

"Yes! Come on Alex!" Kelly cheered watching as Alex reached Otero.

"Come on Alex! You got this!" Derek cheered standing up with Kelly.

Alex felt his wheels locking up, and let out a sharp breath. He was neck and neck with Otero, if he stopped now, he'd lose. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Alex repeated in his head, shifting gears, holding the wheel with all his strength to keep the car steady.

"Come on!"

"Let's go!" Stella yelled, jumping up and down.

Alex pushed his car to the max, passing Otero by just a hair.

"AND THE WINNER IS KNIGHT!"

"Woah!"

"Let's go Alex!"

"WOOOOO!"

Derek cheered loudly with Kelly.

The pit crew rushed forward when Alex pulled in, one already using the fire extinguisher on the smoking tire while Jamie and Liam rushed forward, helping Alex out the car.

"You won!" Jamie jumped into Alex's arms.

Alex chuckled, hugging Jamie back while his crew surrounded him but his eyes were already searching. Derek was cheering next to John's wife, Kelly. When their eyes met across the track, Alex sent him a bright smile.

First race, a win. Alex thought.