"Hey, Mater?" Lightning asked one night as they were driving back from tractor tipping.
"Yeah, buddy?"
"Do you think Doc loves me?"
Mater was silent for a moment. "Well, I know you two have a bond like nothing I've ever seen before," he acknowledged. "Why, do you love him?" He grinned at his friend.
"Yeah, and I want to tell him, but...I'm just so nervous," Lightning admitted, his gaze drifting down to the pavement in front of him.
"Lightning McQueen, nervous? Shoot, Lightning, you've got nothin' to worry about. This is Doc we're talking about!" Mater said.
"That's what I'm worried about," Lightning said. "I don't want him to shut me out again if he thinks we're getting too close. And I just don't know what to say."
"Well, I think 'I love you' would be a good way to start, don't you?" Mater nudged him playfully, and Lightning rolled his eyes.
"Gee, never would've thought of that," Lightning said sarcastically. "Anyway, thanks Mater. I think I'm going to go talk to Doc."
"Good luck!" Mater called after him. Lightning knew he'd need it.
He couldn't find Doc at the clinic, so he went looking for him in his garage. Doc was going through some stuff. "Hey," Lightning said from the doorway, knocking. Doc turned, smiling when he saw him. "Going through some stuff?"
"Thought this place could use some renovating," Doc admitted, looking around at the dusty old garage. Lightning liked it here, but he was glad Doc was doing something other than work and give him lessons and sleep.
"Can I help?" Lightning asked.
"Sure," Doc said. "You can go through some of those boxes over there and lay everything out on the floor-"
"I love you."
Doc turned, his mouth slightly open and his eyes wide. "What?"
Lightning drove over to his side and nuzzled him. "I love you, Doc."
The Hudson Hornet smiled, nuzzling him back and leaning against Lightning's side. "I love you too, my Rookie." Lightning forgot all about their work as he closed his eyes in happiness, not even noticing the grins exchanged by Mater and Sally outside the garage.