A/N: So, uh, turns out I haven't updated in nearly 10 years. And that I had another chapter ready to be uploaded. I've had some pretty major writer's block, and then family stuff happened, and I haven't really done much writing in the last 6 years. But I'm getting a break from work over Christmas, and I'm in the mood to write, so you might get another chapter yet. Still gonna leave it on Hiatus though, seeing as my writing progress is pretty slow at the current moment in time.

Disclaimer: Still don't own cars.

Save Me - Chapter 4

Sally stared absently at the magazine lying open on the desk. Her mind had been on the Kerin family all morning. She was yet to see Maya, but then she hadn't been at the reception desk all the time.

She started when someone planted a kiss on her cheek. Looking around she came face to face with a confused Lightning.

"Have I done something wrong?" He asked.

"No." Sally replied with a troubled smile. "I'm a little worried about Aiyana."

"How is she?" Lightning shoved the magazine to one side and leaned on the desk.

"She's really jumpy. Like when I went to see her this morning, it was like she was scared of me."

"Maybe it's not you she's scared of." Lightning thought back to the only time Aiyana had set foot in the café. "When you brought her to the café, she was fine until Flo came to see what we wanted."

"You're right." Sally remembered the panicked expression on Aiyana's face. The girl calmed down almost the moment they were away from the café, though she was still very edgy. "Maybe we should get her to speak to Fillmore?"

"That'll make her worse!" Lightning chuckled. "I should go. I promised Mater I'd help him tidy his yard up a bit."

Sally kissed his cheek and went back to her magazine.

Just as Lightning went out of sight, Maya appeared in reception.

"I have to go into Phoenix for a few hours. I should be back tonight. I'll still want my room."

"You can have the room until you leave. There's another motel a few miles away. I can always put people up in that one." Sally said.

"Yes, well, I'll see you later then." Maya said before turning on the spot and going out to her car.

Sally waited for her to drive off and went along to road to Flo's café for a drink and a late lunch.

"I don't know how the hell it happened, Doc!" Lightning's voice drifted along the road to her as she closed the door behind her.

She looked along the road, seeing Doc, Mater and Lightning walking towards her. She noticed Lightning had a hand clamped on his arm.

"What happened?" She asked, going over to them.

"Lightning done hurt himself." Mater grinned.

"Tell the whole world why don't you?" Lightning rolled his eyes. "It's not that bad."

"I'll be the judge of that, kid."

"You can use the office if you want." Sally offered.

Doc glanced at Lightning. "Probably best. Come on, kid."

Sally went back to the motel and unlocked the door to reception once more. The office was a small room at the back of the reception area. She led her friends into it and lifted a small pile of books off the chair.

"Sit down, Lightning." Doc instructed, putting his bag on the desk.

As Lightning sat down, Sally perched on one of the arms of the chair and put her hand around his shoulders.

"Okay, Lightning, let's get a look at your arm." Doc said.

Lightning took his hand away and looked at the wall. He'd never been good with blood…a slight problem when he was injuring himself in races.

"Jeez, Lightning." Doc exclaimed.

Lightning glanced at the injury and almost passed out. It was deep, and bleeding heavily now he'd taken the pressure off. Sally tightened her grip around him.

"Is there anything you can do here?"

"I can put a bandage on it, but I think he needs stitches."

They fell into silence while Doc worked quickly. Lightning flinched when Doc gently applied antiseptic cream around the edge of the wound before putting a thick lint pad over it, then a bandage to hold it in place.

"I'm done for now. I'll have to take you to the surgery, Lightning." Doc began to put his things away.

Lightning nodded weakly.

"Are you okay, kid?"

"I don't like blood."

"Just sit there for a few minutes, then. Sally, can you get him a hot drink?"

"Can I speak to you for a moment, Doc?"

He glanced at her, but she wasn't giving anything away in her face. He followed her into the small kitchen, where she set about sorting out the hot drink for Lightning. She didn't say anything for a moment.

"I'm worried about Aiyana. When I went to see her this morning, it was like she was scared of me. That's not the only thing. She had a bruise or something on her face…it wasn't there yesterday. She won't say how it happened. Would you take a look at her?"

"Of course. Is she in her room?"

"I think so. Let me just take this to Lightning and I'll come with you."

The curtains were still closed when Sally and Doc entered Aiyana's room. Aiyana wasn't in her bed any more, but in a chair near the window. Doc perched on the edge of the bed, while Sally hung back a little.

"Would you join me, Aiyana?" He called softly.

Aiyana didn't move. Sally took a step towards her, but Doc threw out an arm to stop her.

"We can do this here or at my surgery, Aiyana. It's up to you."

Aiyana hesitated for a moment, then got to her feet and shuffled across to Doc.

"You're not in trouble, child. Sit beside me so I can get a look at you."

Aiyana sat down slowly, not looking at Doc or Sally. She flinched slightly when Doc touched her bruised face, but made no sound.

"It's not serious." Doc said, rummaging through his bag. "This should help the bruising. It's Arnica gel."

Aiyana took the small tub from him, still avoiding looking at either one.

"Don't feel you have to keep quiet, Aiyana. We're here to help." Doc said gently, before he and Sally left the girl in peace.

Maya didn't return until almost midnight. Sally checked she had everything she needed for the night and left her in peace. Her last visit of the night was to Lightning, who was now back in his room at the motel. The injury on his arm had ended up with ten stitches, and Doc had told him to take it easy for a few days. It was the off-season, so that wasn't a problem for the young racer. He was sleeping when Sally looked in on him, so she left him alone and headed off to bed herself.

It was just after three in the morning when Sally was woken by scuffling noises in the room next door … Aiyana's room. She sat up and quickly turned her lamp on. Something hit the wall, making her jump. She got up and went into the hall. She knocked on the door loudly, the noises stopped almost instantly.

"Is everything okay in there?" Sally called.

There was no answer for a moment, then "It's fine."

Sally wasn't convinced, but went back to bed, though she lay awake for several hours before drifting back into fitful sleep. There was no more noise from the other room for the rest of the night.

A/N: Teenage me would be begging for reviews at this point. Late 20's me just wants you to enjoy the story. No promises about another chapter, but I'll see what I can do. Kinda feel bad about not updating for so long, especially given some of the reviews I've had. Thanks especially to queenlmno for encouraging me. You're awesome.