It was an adjustment to say the least when Kat brought Strip home. The cries of a newborn filled the Weathers house with new life. Kat's whole world changed the moment Strip was born; it was as if she were a new person. Smokey marveled quietly to himself that she seemed to have found a new purpose. There was a quiet discussion with Smokey and the other members of the ragtag, adopted Weathers family. Smokey, Nash, River and Moon all agreed to comply with Kat's desire to not speak of Hud in the presence of Strip.

There was a bittersweet feeling that took up residence in the Weathers home. The absence of Paul Hudson was felt strongly by Kat; the son that had come from a marriage of young love was her only consolation in the darkness of the night. Strip was her life now, everything she did was for him. She'd left a few pictures out of her and Paul on her wedding day but when Smokey drove her and Strip home…she'd packed every memento of her time with Paul away. He was only a memory now, Paul Hudson had simply left and she chose to erect no monuments to him. Strip was the best and only reminder she needed.

Smokey would call Strip one of the easiest children he'd met. He was all boy, toddling into mischief as soon as he could crawl, but for all his mischief he never caused Kat much grief. The blonde haired, brown eyed cherub was the source of endless laughter. Often he would be found with his wheat colored head stuck in a fence, his cries for help bringing an exasperated godfather to his rescue. Many days were spent in the shadow of his mother and godfather learning about cars. Smokey couldn't be happier to see the sparkle back in Kat's eyes. She had her fight back.

There was plenty of evidence that Paul Hudson was the boy's father. That much was certain. Strip was stubborn, that was plain and simple, but the boy couldn't help that he had gained a double portion of stubbornness from both mother and father. Kat noticed right away that her son would be a racer. There was no denying the fact that cars were in his blood, from the time he learned to crawl he was scooting around as fast as he could…When he could walk he toddled so fast that Kat was afraid he'd break his little neck. Then when he was well acquainted with gravity he took to racing her. Shrieks of laughter from her darling, when she caught him were the highlight of her day.

The little boy was so like his father it often caused Kat to wake up in the middle of the night with horrifying images of him wrecking. She dreaded the day when he would learn to drive…but she knew she couldn't hold him back from the dream. So she encouraged him. She told him stories about Nash, River, and Moon. Kat was determined that if her son was going to race…he'd be the best to ever race. She never spoke disapprovingly of racing…no she bought him toy cars and took him to watch the local races. It kept her connected to the racing world, though she made sure that she and strip never came into the spotlight. She wanted to shield her son from the cruelty of the media as long as possible.

It was painful sometimes to look at little Strip…especially on the anniversary of Paul's abandonment. Often she found herself crying when Strip was busy outside or off with Uncle River, Uncle Moon, or Auntie Nash. She couldn't stand the thought of breaking Strip's tender heart. He was the sweetest child and was quite protective of his mother's feelings just as she was over his. There was nothing she wouldn't shield him from if she could. Kat knew better than most that the world could be unjustly cruel; it didn't matter your age.

Kat was hanging clothes out to dry on a warm spring day when Strip asked a hard question. It was a question that was asked so innocently it made her heart clench painfully as she clipped another pair of socks in place. Strip was busy driving a new wooden car that Smokey had made for him and he was making all sorts of car noises.

"Mama?" The blonde child looked up at his mother with brown eyes full of innocence.

"Yes, sweetie?" Kat absently pinned a shirt in place.

"Who was the greatest racer ever? Was it Auntie Lou? Or Uncle River? Or Uncle Moon?"

"Do you want a story?" Kat's eyes twinkled softly and a tiny smile tugged at her lips as she glanced down at her whole world.

"Is it about a racer?" He blinked up at his mother as if only a story about a racer would be interesting enough for his five year old mind.

"Yes…The greatest one of ALL time." The young mother pinned the rest of the laundry in place and crouched down beside her son.

"Who was it?" His tone was full of awe and his eyes held the incessant need to know. With practiced ease Kat collected her darling boy and settled him on her hip.

"The Fabulous Hudson Hornet." She smiled at the confused look on Strip's face. He'd heard of the racer… she was sure of it, but the town had been careful to make sure he didn't know that his father was the same person as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. "He was the best of the best. He could drive better than anyone else on the track."

"What color was it?"

"Dark blue," She tickled Strip's sides playful as she began to daydream. "And the driver…"

"Who was he?" Strip giggled.

"His name was Paul Hudson." Carefully she settled them onto the back steps.

"Did he ever beat Junio'?"

"Did he ever beat Junior?" Kat paused with a sly smile. "Hmm…let me think…" She waited with a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Mammmmaaaaaaa," Strip nagged impatiently and wiggled in her hold.

"Whatttttttttttttt?"

"Did he ever beat Junio'?"

"Many times… I went to most of the Hornets races. You know, him and Junior tied one time."

"Did they share the prize?" Strip blinked up at his mother. He was completely oblivious to the fact that a date with Kat had been the prize.

"The hornet got the prize he wanted," She kissed Strip's blonde hair gently. "Junior got some money."

"Was it a trophy?"

"Mamma got to give the Hornet his prize…and poor Junior got a small prize." She tugged him closer to her.

"Can I see him race one day?'

"He doesn't race anymore sweetheart," Kat felt her heart clench as she brushed a gentle hand along her son's hair. "But I went to almost all of his races. So…I can tell you stories."

"Why not?"

"He was in a bad accident. He was hurt, and well…When he got better…the people over the races," Her voice gained a sad tone. "They told him he couldn't race anymore."

"But…Why?" The little boy looked stricken at his mother's words and he hugged her tightly as he sensed her sadness.

"Because they were stupid."

"What happened to Daddy?" Strip's innocent question caused Kat's heart to leap into her throat. Where had that question come from?

"Oh, Strip…" Her normally steady voice cracked with emotion.

"Mamma…are you ok?" His face filled with worry and he patted her cheek gently.

"I'm alright sweetheart…Just thinking." She took a deep breath. "He went away."

"Where…why?"

"I don't know…but it was for some good reason." She tugged him closer to her.

"So, he's gone?" The five year old hugged his mother.

"Yes, he's gone." Kat kissed his hair gently. "But he loves you."

"He does?" Strip's tone was tentative and Kat could sense how important the subject was to him.

"Of course he does," She tilted his chin up. "He loves his only son."

"Then I love him…Wherever he is."

"Wherever he is, I know he knows you love him." Her heart broke as she spoke the words gently to her tender hearted son. How dare Paul leave her to save the broken pieces of her own heart…and prevent the breaking of another innocent heart? How dare he do this to her son?

Kat swallowed down the bitterness that threatened to make her cry. She had lied to her baby. It hurt to think that her son had heard cruel accusations from a townsperson…and perhaps it was wrong of her to tell her son that his father had loved him. Paul didn't know a thing about his son's existence…but Strip didn't need to know that until he was much older. She couldn't bring herself to break her five year old's precious heart. No, she could afford to shield him from the hurt she'd experienced at the hands of someone that had claimed to love her. She knew all about being hurt…there was no point in breaking another heart. No point at all.

The day was blissfully peaceful when their utopian existence came crashing down around them. Kat had decided to take her now nine year old son to the first race of the new season. It was always a time of excitement around the Weathers home. She and Strip would guess who would win and then she'd take him on either a hike or a picnic, it was their special tradition.

"Mamma, why can't we sit closer to the racetrack?" Strip looked at his mother pointedly as he shifted the Smokey's garage hat back on his head.

"Because I said so." She shot him a firm look that brooked no argument.

"But Mamma, we can see so much better if we get closer to the sidelines!" Strip shifted excitedly.

"Strip, sweetheart." Her voice was steady.

"You know better than to argue with your Mamma." The gruff tones of Strip's godfather caused the nine year old to straighten his spine and turn on his heel.

"UNCLE SMOKEY!" Strip launched himself at his godfather and uncle.

"That greeting isn't going to get you out of trouble twerp." He ruffled the boy's hair and hugged him tightly.

"I just want to get a better view of this race. I don't understand why Mamma always wants to be this far back."

"Doesn't matter why. She sets the rules." He cuffed Strip on the back of the head affectionately and moved to stand beside Kat.

"Hey Smoke." Kat sent him a small smile.

"He giving you a hard time?"

"No more than usual. I couldn't ask for a better son."

"You deserve the best Kat," The older mechanic hugged his adopted sister. "Racing is in his blood." He smiled to himself. "Glad you haven't tried to keep him from it."

"Why should I? It's part of him." Kat smiled as she watched Strip whoop and holler as some of the cars pulled up to the starting line. "This is his favorite time of the race, that and the finish."

"He's a troublemaker…" Smokey grinned.

"No more than his father."

"Strip is a regular angel next to Hud."

"That's the truth." Kat smiled. "Better keep an eye on him."

"GO Nash!" Strip grinned letting a yell permeate the air.

"He's gonna make Moon jealous."

"Of course he is…he loves to rile him up. Just like Paul." Kat smiled at the image of her son jumping up and down as the race began.

"If I didn't know any better I'd say that he's excited."

"Well, we have an agreement…if River or Nash wins he gets ice cream, but if Moon wins he doesn't get any."

"We both know that you'll give him ice cream either way." Smokey shot her a sly grin.

"I know nothing of the sort." She shook her head.

"We'll see." The elder mechanic smiled to himself. "Think I can manage to get an ice cream out of the race?"

"I don't think so, maybe an apple pie later," She teased as she turned her attention fully on the race.

Kat smiled to herself as she waited for her son to decide on a flavor of ice cream. He was her sunshine, there was no doubt. The nine year old blonde was standing on tip toe in front of the local deli counter. A frown marred his little face as he stared up at the sign, his unruly locks spilled over his forehead and over his left eye. Everything about her son made her smile, he looked only around seven, but he would glare if someone accused him of being younger than his nine years. It was adorable and Kat was hard pressed to keep from laughing when such a thing occurred.

"Mamma…Can I have two scoops?" The subject of Kat's thoughts turned his eyes on her.

"Oh…I don't know…" She seemed deep in thought until she felt a firm tug on the skirt of her dress.

"Pleassssseeeeee? I promise I'll eat supper. I'll even eat those nasty green beans." He wrinkled his nose.

"Those nasty green beans are good for you," She ruffled his hair. "I guess two scoops won't hurt…But we aren't making this a habit."

"Two chocolate scoops!" Strip beamed at his mother and tugged on her hand.

"Marge, two chocolate in a cone and one with one scoop of vanilla, please."

"Alrighty one vanilla for you and two chocolate for the little guy." The pretty brunette behind the counter winked at Strip and turned to collect the cones.

Strip held tight to Kat's left hand as they exited the general store and started across the street. Everything was perfect till a shout caught mother and son off guard. In that moment the world came crashing in on the pair and nothing would ever be the same.