The sun hadn't yet risen from the horizon of the Sonoran Desert, but Lightning McQueen was already awake–it was an old habit, after all, because race cars often have to get up early to prepare for their races.

He drove himself out of the tiny motel, Sally still sleeping by the window–she must have worked all night.

The race car stopped, when he saw a sight both all too familiar, but also strangely new.

Lizzie, the old model T, who usually didn't wake up until well after noon, was by Stanley's statue. Lizzie had been pining every since the town's founder died, he understood that, but to be up this early?

Cautiously he drove closer to the couple–one long dead, and one still alive. It only felt right to continue calling them a couple.

Lizzie, usually in good spirits even in bad times–though this might be due to her old age– was tearing up.

"77 years."

"Huh?"

"77 years, that's how long It's been since my Stanley died. And…why not me? Why did I continue to live on?" Lizzie croaked.

"Ah, I guess you just…"

Lightning didn't want to push the wrong buttons.

"…did."

"…There were…times when I was younger when my Stanley died all those years ago, that I…got desperate." Lizzie did not meet Lightning's gaze even once.

Lightning blinked, he wasn't sure what to say at this point.

"I thank Zeb–he was your best friend's father–for not letting me kick the bucket after all, but…sometimes I wonder how different it'd be like if I…died too."

Lightning was silent, mostly because he noticed how lucid the old model T was right now, especially considering her advanced age–she was pushing 93 and was even more rickety than ever.

"You're, er, usually in a good mood, Lizzie. What makes this one any different?"

Finally Lizzie took a glance at the young race car.

"You don't know what it's like to lose someone so close to you, eh?"

"Well, er…no?"

Lizzie nodded slowly, sighing heavily, "Well, my hot rod, I'm glad to have you. You're a delight, you know that. Sexy, too," she winked, "but you did save this town. I appreciate that."

"Lizzie, you feelin' okay? you're not yourself."

The old Model T only smiled, "Don't worry about it, hot rod."

Lightning looked up at the statue again, "You know…did you ever have any…plans for when you, ah, you know?"

Lizzie closed her eyes, "I want my own statue next to Stanley. I always wanted to be with him ever since he died. That's the only thing I ask for you, hot rod. "

Lightning eyed her a little worriedly, "Er, shouldn't you get some rest, I mean, at this old age of yours, it's quite important, right?"

The old Model T stared blankly, and squinted.

"Come on, Liz."

The race car coaxed Lizzie back into the Curio shop, the Model T aimlessly driving, so he had to steer her the right way home.

"I'll have Mack check on you. Don't worry. Sweet dreams."

The Model T blinked, "Where's my Stanley?"

Again, Lightning was at a loss for words, "He's…sleeping. He'll be here soon. Don't worry."

"Tell Zeb I said hello." she smiled, but it was a blank one.

Lightning nodded, slowly driving away.

Lizzie died a week later. As promised, a new statue would be built right next to Stanley's, and a new plaque would be added, adding Lizzie's name to it.