Author's Note: After managing to write a bit over the last week, I've almost finished the story. It's fifteen chapters in total, the last one being a bonus chapter that I never managed to get into the original story. I'm still working on the last chapter, though I know what I want to write for once. I'm going to do three updates (this one being the first of the three), each with three chapters, most likely a week apart.

There's another tissue warning with this chapter.

Thanks to LightningAndDoc and quarterhorseranch for reviewing the last chapter! You two are awesome.

Disclaimer: Don't own Cars. Do own Skye Armstrong and Jason Brooke. Don't own Ranger, she belongs to Buick Regal Racecar 56.

Holding On

Chapter 7

Skye slept by her father's side that night, after persuading Jason they would be fine. She had discussed the alternative Sally had come up with for many hours with the two doctors. Finally Jason agreed to let her try, partly at Doc's insistence. Doc didn't say anything as she settled beside him, knowing she wanted to be close to him.

It was early in the morning when they woke. Skye pulled a blanket from the cupboard and draped it over her father's shaking body. She knew Jason was doing his best, but they both knew Doc was getting worse.

"Daddy." She whispered, leaning against his side.

"Do what you have to, sweetheart." His voice was weak. "I know you can do it."

"I don't want to leave you."

"If that's what it takes, you must. I trust you, Skye." Doc felt the darkness creeping up on him again.

"Hang on, Daddy. I'll be back as soon as I can." She said tearfully as his eyes closed and he sank back into unconsciousness.

The mood in the café was sombre. The entire town was gathered there and sat in a deafening silence. The only activity came from Lightning and Sally as they tried to keep their young son occupied and quiet. Skye looked around nervously. She didn't want to go alone, but she wasn't sure who she wanted to go with her. Her first choice was Lynda Weathers, but there was every possibility she would be needed in the town. Flo was her next choice, but she owned the café and was the only waitress there at the moment. Fillmore? As much as she liked the hippy, he could be too much sometimes. Lightning and Sally had a son to care for, two motels to run, and in Lightning's case races to take part in. Sheriff would want to stay with Doc; Sarge was good with security; Guido, Luigi and Lizzie weren't fast enough.

Her eyes fell on the female Jeep. She vaguely remembered her being in LA when they took Sarge there a while ago. The Jeep was the one that found Ramone shortly after the first tornado.

"Here you go, honey." Flo placed a can of oil in front of Skye.

She smiled slightly in thanks, though her heart wanted nothing more than to have her break down and weep.

"How's your father?" Lynda looked over at her.

"About the same." Skye replied slowly. She glanced along the road, still not wanting to leave Doc behind, yet knowing she had to if she was to help him.

"What's wrong?" Sally's gentle voice came from beside her.

"I-I have to go into the city." Skye replied quietly. "It's the only way I can help him." Sally didn't need to ask who she was talking about. "I don't want to go alone."

Sally studied the young Daewoo for a moment before she turned and drove up to the two Jeeps. She spoke to them quietly and returned with the female Jeep following her.

"Ranger can go with you." She told Skye.

Skye smiled gratefully. "Thank you."

"When do you want to head out?" Ranger asked.

Five minutes later, Skye and Ranger drove away from the town towards the interstate. They looked an odd pair, Daewoo and Jeep driving along together.

"Where are they going?" Lightning looked up from the almost silent game with Hugh.

"To the city. Skye said it was the only way she can help Doc." Sally replied, watching their retreating figures until they were gone from sight.

Jason carefully placed a damp cloth on Doc's hood and sponged the numerous cuts. Doc shifted and winced every so often. It was all he could do until Skye returned, besides continue to administer antibiotics that seemed to be doing nothing. He had seen Doc fighting for his life before, but not like this. Doc's sides heaved as he coughed harshly. Jason laid a gentle tyre on an uninjured area just behind Doc's front wheel while his friend got his breathing under control again. There was no doubt about it, Doc was getting worse. Jason glanced at the picture on the desk. He had purposefully turned it around that morning so Doc would be able to see it where he lay. He prayed Skye would find what she was looking for quickly and hurry back; he wasn't sure how much longer the Hornet would be able to fight the infection without help.

Skye and Ranger drove in silence, each lost in thought. Skye tried to hold the tears back, but couldn't stop the odd one or two escaping. She wanted to drive as fast as her engine would allow, but it wasn't worth the risk; she had to return to her father.

Ranger glanced sideways at Skye from time to time. She was doing well, considering they had just left her father behind, who was slowly dying. Poor kid, she thought as they headed South East. It must be so hard fro her. She fixed her gaze straight ahead of them again, hardly paying attention to the cars all around them.

It wasn't long before they were pulling off the interstate onto the road that would take them right into Phoenix. Ranger hoped they would find whatever it was that Skye needed quickly, for both Skye's and Doc's sakes.

Afternoon was drawing towards evening as they reached the centre of the city. Skye seemed to be looking for a certain shop as they navigated the busy roads, and it wasn't until night had fallen that they found the place. Skye drove up to the closed doors while Ranger hung back at the side of the road.

"We should find some place to stay for the night. We can come back as soon as it opens." Ranger called to the young car.

Skye was torn. Ranger knew she wanted to get the medicine for her father and get back to him, but they just couldn't do that when the shop was closed. Skye took a last look at the place before she followed the Jeep to the nearest decent motel.

There was only one room left at the motel, but luckily it was a twin room, so they wouldn't be cramped. Ranger went ahead to open the door and order food while Skye went in search of a pay phone. She found one quickly and dialled the number for the surgery.

"Radiator Springs surgery, Jason Brooke speaking."

"How's my Dad?" Skye got straight to the point.

"Skye?" Jason suddenly sounded weary. "He's in a bad way. I'm not sure he'll survive the night; he's been getting worse all day."

The small smile at hearing his familiar voice quickly slid from her face as tears threatened to fall again. "He will." She sniffed. "We've got to stay the night in Phoenix, but we'll be back early tomorrow. Tell him to hold on."

"I'll do my best."

"Tell him I'm thinking of him."

There was a slight pause. "He knows. He's been staring at the photograph on his desk all the time he's been awake." Jason didn't add that Doc had only been awake for an hour at most.

"Thank you." Skye whispered as the line went dead. She replaced the receiver and headed for the room, not sure how much sleep she would get while her father was at death's door, and she was so far away from him.

"How is he?" Ranger was waiting for her to return, but the look on her face was good enough to tell her. "I'm sorry, honey." She said, cradling Skye between her tyres as the Daewoo gave in to her grief.