Chapter 10. - Broken Again -
Four hours later: Lightning drove slowly out of the medical center in a wheelchair. Doc drove very close to Lightning, their sides almost touching. He seemed nervous that Lightning was going to do something rash at any moment. Lightning had broken his axle in two places. A large and heavy brace ran the entire length of his axle. Because of the way the axle had been broken, corrective surgery wasn't an option. Only time, immobilization, and painkillers was the only thing that Doc could do. Lightning was in pain but he was tired enough that it didn't bother him.
"How's your axle?" Doc asked, giving Lightning a sideways glance "I wish I could do more for you. You're talented, I've never seen an axle broken like that."
"Same as five minutes ago when you asked. My axle is extremely painful and I have a pounding hood-ache." Lightning said edgily "By the way the track doctors were acting, they haven't seen a break like that either."
"I'm sorry Kiddo." Doc said, looking away from Lightning "I care about you."
"This is a pretty hard blow." Lightning sighed "I know you care, why else would you have thrown me into that cactus patch when I first came to town."
"It turned you into a better car didn't it? Besides you were being a fucking jackass, someone had to teach you some manners." Doc said, before he paused "I'm sorry Lightning. I should have pulled you out of the race when it started raining."
"You know I wouldn't have allowed that." Lightning said "This isn't your fault."
"We could file a complaint." Doc said "Maybe something about the rain."
"It wouldn't do anything." Lightning said, depression setting in "My axle is still broken."
"Go back to your trailer." Doc said gently "I'll give you something for pain when we get there."
"Hey, McQueen!" Chick called across the parking lot "Do you like my trophy? *he was at his trailer with the first-place trophy next to him.* Of course I bet you like my other trophy better!"
A familiar, light pink car drove up next to Chick and passionately kissed him. "You lost a great woman." He taunted "The girl knows how to fuck."
It was Lightning's ex-fiancé, Chelsea Cruse. "Hi, Lightning!" Chelsea said as she stared at Lightning's codpiece and licked her lips "I'm Chick's fiancé now. Are you jealous?"
"Oh hell no! I know you like trashy women Chick, but you can do better than that." Lightning said "Of course Chelsea is good in bed… she doesn't have the brains to do anything else. If you knew how many men she has fucked, you wouldn't want to stick your dick in that… thing!"
"Your cock is so small, I could use it to floss my teeth." came her reply "So, fuck you."
"No thank you, been there done that and it was pretty terrible if I remember." Lightning shot back "Every time we had sex, I thought I was fucking a hauler. *Chelsea shook with rage.* And before you ask yes, I've fucked one. You could never satisfy me, so she was one of a dozen girls I had when we were engaged. You might want to ease up on the make-up. I've seen clowns that look more natural than you."
"All right, that's enough." Doc said from behind Lightning "They're not worth it."
"I know." Lightning said "They deserve each other. Neither one will be faithful. God forbid if they have kids."
Lightning and Doc drove slowly back to their trailers: "I know it's not my business." Doc said "But I'm curious. Did you really fuck a hauler?"
"Yes, her name was Isabella Snow, she was my driver before Mack." Lightning said "My first real 'job', was racing for a small company called Smell Well Deodorizer Company. The company could only afford one hauler, so the trailer was split in half. I stayed in the top half, and the pit crew stayed in the bottom… Anyway, it was after a particularly bad race. Once the pits was cleaned up, the pit crew headed to a local bar. I was depressed about the race so, I headed back to the trailer. Isabella was there. She saw how upset I was and she offered me a beer. We started drinking and before we knew it we were drunk and then..."
"You had sex." Doc finished the statement "It sounds like you screwed anything that had a vagina."
"Yep, pretty much. Beer, racing, and getting laid was the only things I was interested in. It didn't help that I was twenty-one. You know how horny we are at that age." Lightning said, making Doc chuckle "If a girl was willing to go all the way, I obliged her, no matter her breed."
"What happened to Isabella?" Doc asked "If you don't mind me asking." "I don't know. I'm assuming she is still with the company. I didn't race well at the regional championship at the end of the year and I was immediately fired from the team." Lightning said "Mack approached me afterwards, then took me to see his boss and he has been my driver ever since."
"Not to sound gross…" Doc said "But what does fucking a hauler feel like?"
"Doc!" Lightning said "I'm shocked, I didn't think you were into that kind of thing."
"I'm not!" Doc said "I'm curious… I've had fantasies, but never got up the courage."
"Had I not been drunk off my ass, I wouldn't have slept with her. Don't get me wrong, Isabella was very pretty, but she wasn't my type." Lightning said "As for the sex, Isabella wasn't that big, she felt like a large pickup truck. *Doc stopped and looked at him.* Yes, I've fucked a few of them too. Come on Doc, I know you're kinky. I know you have had other types besides cars."
"When I was younger, I've banged a few trucks." Doc confessed "Back in those days, they were more like cars then trucks."
"I have a question." Lightning said "Did you screw any reporters when you were racing? Or was that just me?"
"Dammit Lightning! You couldn't keep your dick in your codpiece could you?" Doc snapped "Let me guess that reporter was Kori?"
"No, it wasn't. She's too professional to do something like that." Lightning countered "That didn't stop me from trying to seduce her. We flirted with each other, but it didn't go any further. It was a local reporter, I don't remember what her name was."
Doc shook his hood in disgust as they drove back to the trailers. On the way, Doc saw a racing official walking her cat on a leash. "I have never understood why women love cats. Cats are independent, they don't listen, they don't come in when you call, they like to stay out all night, and when they're home they like to be left alone and sleep." He said "In other words, every quality that women hate in a man, they love in a cat."
As they arrived at the trailers: The haulers were hooked up and ready to go. They had dejected look on their faces. "My therapist told me that a great way to let go of your anger is to write letters to people you hate and then burn them." Doc said as he prepared a painkiller for Lightning "I did that and I feel much better but, I'm wondering... do I keep the letters?"
Doc laughed nervously at his own joke. Lightning got the impression that he was keeping something from him. "I appreciate you trying to cheer me up, but it's not working." Lightning said miserably "All right Doc, spill it. I can tell you have something else to tell me."
"I do." Doc said "Dr. Riddell called me while you were getting x-rays."
"Well, what did he say?" Lightning asked "I'm getting the feeling that it's not good news."
"Well it is and isn't." Doc said "Dr. Riddell said that his investigation is complete and has made his ruling. He has decided that Dr. Cannae treated you within the medical standards."
"Doc, that's impossible!" Lightning said angrily "You and the nurse pulled metal shards out of my axle and it was infected."
"Let me fucking finish, Kiddo." Doc said "I brought that up. But Dr. Riddell said that Dr. Cannae complained that you refused to hold still while he treated you, making it impossible to get all the metal fragments out of your axle. Which I'll admit, you're wiggly. That's why you usually get a sedative before I work on you."
"Why did he not treat it like you did?" Lightning asked "With local anesthesia, or something."
"Because what I did wasn't in the standard medical care regulations." Doc said "What I did, I did as your personal physician."
"So Dr. Riddell isn't going to do anything?" Lightning asked "This is fucking ridiculous."
"I'm sorry Kid." Doc said "He feels that Dr. Cannae treated you professionally and he is closing your case."
"My axle was sore, but I didn't think it was that bad." Lightning said "Who knows how bad it would have gotten if I waited a few more days before having you look at it."
"I know Kid." Doc said "I have some good news. The track management at Huston has waved all of your entry fees for next year, as a jester of good faith."
Lightning sighed unhappily. "I hate needles." He said, as Doc approached him with the syringe "Is this really necessary?"
"Yes." Doc said "You're in pain, this medicine should give you some relief. Besides you need to be kept quiet for the next few days. I know that Mack will be gentle with the trailer, but no matter what, the ride home will be painful for you. *Lightning sighed unhappily as Doc injected him with the medication.* There all done. This should keep the pain to a minimum. Do you need help getting into your trailer?"
"No, I'll manage." Lightning said unhappily "Thanks Doc."
Anytime Kid." Doc said "Now, let's go home." Lightning limped up the ramp and shut the door.
Two days later, Radiator Springs: Lightning backed slowly down the ramp and cautiously turned around. Lightning drove awkwardly to the Cozy Cone. The medicine that Doc had given him had worn off and his axle was throbbing painfully. Once he reached the office, he saw Sally parked at her desk watching TV. "Hi, Beautiful." Lightning said entering the office "I'm home!…"
Sally looked up in surprise and when she saw Lightning in a wheelchair, her eyes got wide. "Oh my gosh! Lightning, what happened? Are you okay? I was going to Flo's to watch the race with everyone, but the cone is fully booked and I have been watching Giovanni for the last couple of days. Right before the race, he started yelling for something to eat. After I got him fed, I had to deal with a customer's complaint about their cone." Sally said, all in one breath "When I got that all settled, I saw what time it was and knew the race was over, so I didn't bother going to Flo's. I'm watching hockey. My dad is a big fan, so the next time I call, we'll have something to talk about."
"Don't you know, ice hockey is basically just guys wearing knife tires and fighting each other with long sticks for the last Oreo." Lightning said with little humor "My racing season has come to an end. I broke my axle again."
"Oh Deer!" Sally exclaimed "How did you do that?"
"During the race, it was pouring down rain. I swerved to miss a wrecked car. When I did, my axle snapped." Lightning said as he drove past Giovanni, the baby smiled and cooed at him. "You're a cutie. Where's Michael and Zoë?"
"They are attending a medical conference." Sally said as she picked Giovanni up "I'm sorry Sweetheart. You can try again next year."
"Yah, I guess." Lightning said "How long are you watching him?"
"Just a few more days, Michael and Zoë will be back on Friday." Sally said "He's good practice for us when we have kids."
"Oh that's great, now she wants children." Lightning said to himself "It's one more thing I have to worry about."
"Giovanni has Michael's temperament so he's a delight to have around." Sally said as she put the baby back into his crib "Light… are you alright?" Lightning didn't answer her as a tear ran down his fender. She drove over and lovingly nuzzled him. "I'm sorry. I knew you had your heart set on winning the cup." Sally said as she wiped away the tears "Is there anything that I can help you with?"
"No." Lightning said sadly "I think, I'm going to take some painkillers and go lie down."
"Okay." Sally said as she gave him a kiss on the fender "I don't have to tell you that I love you."
"I love you too." Lightning said returning the kiss "I'll see you in the morning." They kissed once more before Lightning headed to his cone.
Two hours later: Lightning still couldn't fall asleep. His axle was throbbing horribly and the pain was keeping him awake. Frustrated, Lightning scooted into his wheelchair and drove out of the cozy cone. He gazed at the stretch of bare land that seemed to lead on forever. He looked up at the stars, familiarizing himself with the night sky. You could never see the stars in the big cities, and certainly not under the blinding lights of the track, but in Radiator Springs they were bright and numerous. It was such a tiny detail, but Lightning was fond of these things every time he comes home.
"Hey!" Sally said, driving up next to Lightning. He jumped and groaned as his axle shot a spasm of pain through his entire underside. "Sorry Stickers. I thought you heard me coming."
"I didn't… I was to busy admiring the stars." Lightning replied dully, before he looked at Sally and back up to the sky "Why do these things keep happening to me?"
"I don't know." Sally said "But you don't deserve any of it. *Lightning sighed and shifted his weight uncomfortably. Sally pushed up against Lightning, allowing him to lean on her a little.* Do you want to post pone the wedding? At least until you're better. It shouldn't be that difficult to do."
It made him angry that Sally could even think about the wedding at a time like this. "It's fine by me if you want too." Lightning said coldly "I didn't like any of it anyway."
"What do you mean?" Sally asked angrily, Lightning just stared at her "Lightning McQueen! WHAT DO YOU MEAN?"
"Our wedding is only four days after the Dinoco 400!" Lightning exclaimed, letting his entire bottled up emotions spill out "I wanted a small wedding here in Radiator Springs, I don't want the media there, I don't like the food you ordered, and that's just the start!"
Sally's eyes filled with tears. "Why didn't you tell me before now?" she asked shakily "I would have gladly made changes. It's your wedding too!"
"I don't know. You were so excited." Lightning said "I didn't want to hurt your feelings."
"You mean like you just did?" Sally asked angrily "Maybe it's you that doesn't want us to get married, not Doc." She turned around and sped away.
"Great, I just fucked that up." Lightning mumbled "And I didn't get the chance to tell her about Doc, or about Chick and Chelsea… SALLY!... WAIT… COME BACK!"
Sally ignored his calls as she drove into the apartment and turned the light out. Lightning thought about going after her, but he knew Sally needed some time to cool off.
AN: I've reformatted all the chapters. I'll reformat Sidelined when I have the time.
COMMENTS:
Guest 2- Lightning's holding his place with heart. I've never had Staples but in Lightning's case they're aggravating.- I've never had them either. My friends have and they say that they are itchy and catch on clothing. Since cars don't wear clothing, Lightning doesn't have to worry about that.
You need to spend many laps to get your eyes in. Rain during motor racing is tolerable to an extent but heavy rains are a no no! If those officials were professionals they'd consider welfare more than going ahead racing in dangerous conditions. Given that wreck the officials need a bollocking for all that damage.- That's why races are not ran in the rain anymore. After what happened, the racing officials had an emergency meeting and a new policy was immediately put into place… I'll cover that in a few chapters.
If a referee authorises a match on a frozen pitch and a player gets a broken leg the ref goes down for it.- As it should be. He's the one in charge.
Oh no! Lightning's got a broken axle. Bad news for him but with Doc he'll make a speedy recovery. Even being a fast healer. I'm happy with the format so don't worry. Carry on. Hope that stupid doctor and careless officials get karma.- As you just read, the doctor didn't get disciplined. I thought about it, but I decided that not everything in life goes the way you want it.
If you're gonna involve the story where Lightning slept with a semi as well as the reporter please do. Yeah I'll admit Kori seems too professional for one night stands.- I got it in there.
I have another idea for you. When Lightning and Doc return home Lightning and Sally could have some friendly competition at Willy's Butte for affection like when they go for a drive and Doc watches them from the sidelines- I like that idea, but with a broken axle, it's going to be a while.
I don't mean anything personal here IrishScottDragonGirl. What made you start your stories over again?- I originally started writing just for my own enjoyment. I didn't put a lot of thought into it. A friend harassed me until I posted it, that's how the madness got started. As time went on and other stories got written, I noted that there was a lot of timing problems. As a perfectionist, it was driving me crazy. So instead of writing a new story, I decided to go back and fix the problems first. It's also giving me time to think of a new story.
I like the flashbacks you make about Lightning's life before he met Sally. Adds more thrills to the story.- There's one more in the next chapter, I hope. It's not coming together the way I want it to, so I might have to push it back another chapter or two… it started out in this chapter, but it wasn't working here. It should be the last one for a while.
I do not own Cars or any of its characters. PIXAR AND DISNEY CLAIM THAT RIGHT. READING ENJOYMENT ONLY
Please read and review! I need criticism and encouragements! Rated M for language and sex.