Author's Note: Here's the second chapter in the update!

Disclaimer: See chapter 10.

Holding On

Chapter 11

Sally was waiting for Lightning to return on Monday morning. He had pulled back after Doc's call, getting a handful of points for his effort. She knew he would be disappointed with the results, and wanted to be there for him.

It wasn't until early in the afternoon that the team returned. Sheriff was the first to get back. He drove along the road looking ready to fall asleep on his tyres, and disappeared into the old police station. Mater, Guido, Luigi and Ramone were the next ones to appear. Sally never understood why Ramone went with the team. Perhaps he was there to support Flo, but then she didn't really know what show car did in the team either.

Mack and Jason were the last to return. Sally followed Mack to the new Racing Headquarters building that doubled as her home with Lightning and Hugh, and waited while he parked the trailer. For a moment there was no sign of movement from within, then the ramp lowered and Lightning drove out. Sally hitched a smile on her face.

"Hey, Stickers, you were really good out there!"

Lightning glanced at her and drove into his empty room. The smile slid off Sally's face when the door shut behind him.

"He's been like that since the race." Mack said quietly. "Maybe you should get Doc out here."

"I don't think I need to." Sally replied, noticing the cobalt car that had just appeared at the other end of the building. She caught Mack's gaze and the pair drove off, giving Doc some time to talk to Lightning alone.

Sally didn't have to wait long at the café for Doc. Mack had stayed with her for a while, but tired after the long journey, he'd headed home for some much needed sleep. She found the expression on Doc's face wasn't very reassuring.

"Has Lightning said anything to you about quitting?" Doc asked her quietly once he was sitting beside her.

"No, why?"

"He just told me he isn't sure that he wants to continue racing after this season. He wouldn't say why."

Sally glanced across the lot to where Mater and Ramone were playing with Hugh. Could it be because of them? She didn't want him to give up what he loved doing just because of her and Hugh. Doc followed her gaze.

"He loves you both a lot, Sally. Maybe you should talk to him about it."

Lightning gazed sadly at the photograph on the bedside cabinet. His father rarely had time for him during the racing season, and it was turning out to be the same way with him and Hugh. He was sure Mater and Ramone knew his son better than he did. He sighed softly, thinking a bit of fresh air might help his thoughts. It was getting close to sunset, leaving him with just enough time to get to the old Wheel Well motel before night fell. It was a pleasant drive, and often fairly quiet. He shot a looked towards the café on his way out; none of his friends were looking in his direction. He turned quickly and drove off.

Lightning found he wasn't the only one at the motel when he got there. A light blue Porsche glowed in the late evening light as she sat at the edge of the cliff.

"Sally?"

She turned to see Lightning pulling up in front of her, a distant frown crossing his features. He figured if there was one person who could help him decide what to do, it was her.

"Stickers, is something wrong?" The Porsche leaned against him.

"I – I'm not sure what to do about racing." He admitted. "I'm thinking of retiring at the end of the season."

"What? Why would think that?"

Lightning sighed. "We've got a kid to take care of, Sally. I don't want to become one of those parents that barely spends any time with their kid because they're too busy with their career …"

Sally gently nudged the red stock car, smiling lightly. "But what about Hugh? What if he wants to become a racer just like his old man? Who's going to teach hum how to race like you?"

Lightning rolled his eyes, but the smile on his face gave him away. "Hey, I'm not that old, Sal. But when you put it that way … maybe you're right. I know Hugh likes to run around. Doc wouldn't like me dumping training responsibility on him; he's already had one hell of a time training me." He chuckled quietly.

"We'll stand by you, whatever you decide to do, Stickers." Sally said, still leaning against his side.

The pair ended up driving back in darkness, having made use of the time alone at Wheel Well – something they hadn't got for quite some time, what with Lightning racing and Sally busy with one thing or another.

Sally had left Hugh in Skye's care until she returned, content that Doc's daughter would do a good job with the young car. By the time they reached the Racing Headquarters, Skye was just about to leave.

"He's asleep." She said with a smile before leaving them.

"Skye's so good with him." Sally glanced in on their son as they passed the room.

"We should get her to look after him more often." Lightning nudged Sally's wheel playfully.

She laughed softly and shook her hood. "You're impossible."

It was late in the morning when Lightning headed out to Willy's Butte. Doc saw him leaving the town and followed at a distance, wondering where the younger car was going. When he eventually caught up with him, Lightning was running laps around the track. Doc could tell he still wasn't into it, and hoped they would be able to sort it out one way or another before the next race. At that moment, Lightning looked over to him and came to a well-controlled stop in the dirt.

"Hey, Doc."

"Have you made your mind up yet, kid?" Doc slowly drove down the hill to join the red car.

"I'm going to carry on … at least until the end of the season, after that … I've not really decided yet."

"There's still time for that, kid."

"What do you think I should do?" Lightning asked, following Doc as he set off around the track, barely raising a dust cloud with his slow speed.

"The question you need to ask, is can you train and spend time with your son and Sally without either thing being affected."

"And what's the answer?"

"Only you can find out, kid. You have to find the right balance between them."

Author's Note: I figured Lightning had to question his decision to race at some point, particularly after his reluctance to leave Radiator Springs in the film. Before you ask me, I don't know what he's going to do about it. I haven't written that bit yet! I just get a basic idea and wing it when I'm writing, hence the not knowing until I've written it.