Hi, everyone! Hope you all had happy holidays! I sure did!

Here is the final chapter of part one! I hope you enjoy this original scene.

Chapter 13- After the Race

"Done!" Cruz announced, signing one last form with a flourish.

"Have you finished?" I quizzed Luigi. Since I was a minor, Luigi had to sign the sponsorship forms on my behalf. I didn't mind too much; some of those forms looked really complicated. Mr. Tex had promised me that in two years' time, he'd go through them all with me.

"Just one more..." Luigi replied and I watched anxiously as he placed his signature in one more spot on the page, as if I were expecting the room to start spinning and I'd find myself in a completely different world once he'd signed the last form.

Instead, Mr. Tex just beamed. "Well, I guess that's settled then. Welcome to Team Dinoco, Miss Cruz, Miss Fudge."

"Thanks!" we chorused.

"I'm glad to be here!" I added and I meant it.

"And welcome to you too, Lightnin' McQueen", Mr. Tex went on with a wink. "I've been waitin' ten years for this moment."

Lightning merely grinned.

"Uh... Is something going on here?" I questioned, looking back and forth between Lightning and Mr. Tex. I knew there was; I just didn't like being out of the loop. Mr. Tex and Lightning had some kind of secret and I wanted to know what.

"Don't worry about it", Lightning assured me. "Now, you girls ready to go to the party?"

"Yes, chief", we answered in unison.

Oh! That's right! I'm sorry. I'm leaving you out of the loop now, aren't I? Yes, Lightning McQueen was our crew chief. Well, I'm sure you already knew that, but what I'm sure you didn't know was how it happened.

Somewhere amongst all the craziness, Cruz and I had gotten a moment to ourselves to chat away about the race.

"Mr. McQueen was great, wasn't he?" Cruz remarked. "I don't think we could've done this without him."

"I know", I agreed. "I mean, I really like Smokey and all, but I don't think he really..." I struggled to find the right words. "...speaks our language, if you know what I mean."

Cruz nodded. "I know. I agree."

"I wish Lightning could be our crew chief", I mused. "But he's still racing."

"Well, we can still ask him to help us, right?" Cruz pointed out. "He doesn't have to be our crew chief."

"Right!" I realised.

The next time we saw him, Cruz asked him if he would consider being our trainer. "I think the three of us work well together and you understand us", she explained.

"I guess we do work well together", Lightning agreed with a chuckle. "You know, I'm gonna keep racing, but first, I'm gonna train you guys and be your crew chief. If you'll have me, that is."

"Absolutely!" Cruz and I responded. That sounded pretty good to me. This time, I didn't feel guilty because I knew that this was Lightning's choice. In fact, I felt honoured.

So, now, here we were. We headed off to the large tent where the post-race party was going on. Loud music and people shouting and laughing greeted us as we made our way in the direction of the tent.

Mater was the first to notice us when we arrived. "Hey! There is da winners of today's race!" he hollered, attracting everyone's attention immediately. "Cruz Ramirez, Fudge Rossi-Topolino and my best buddy, Lightnin' McQueen!"

Everyone launched into loud cheers and shouts to congratulate us. I'll admit, it was kind of overwhelming, but also really cool. These people thought I was great; I didn't, but they all did.

"Hey, Cruz! Fudge! Congratulations!"

"Hey, guys! Look! It's the new faces of Dinoco! We better watch out!"

"McQueen! Still racing, are you?! Good for you!"

"Miss Ramirez? Miss Rossi-Topolino? Could I get a photo with you?"

"Athena!" Joey Sparks laughed. "You're supposed to root for your brother!"

I glanced back at the girl in front of me, about my own age. She did resemble Joey Sparks; they had the same noses, same jawline, same light brown skin. She had dark curly hair that tumbled to her shoulders. She was really pretty.

"Sure, you can get a photo with us!" I answered as Cruz and I moved closer to the girl. If I could help it, I would never turn down taking a photo with a fan. I'd been on the other side of it and I knew how much the experience meant. Although, why they choose me is beyond me.

Cruz and I went around, greeting partygoers. Most of them were racers or their crews and friends. We didn't talk to most of them for very long; just, "Hi! How are you?", and a, "Thanks!" after they'd congratulated us on the race.

Some of them, we talked to a little longer. One of them was a familiar old friend.

"Piper?!" I exclaimed in surprise, noticing the midnight blue Next Gen car in front of me. I wouldn't have known it was her if it hadn't been for her name written on each side of her roof like most race cars did and the words FOR MACKENZIE FLETCHER on her side. She still had her old number 6 as well.

"I came to watch the race with my uncle", she explained, sounding kind of sheepish. "You and Cruz were great out there."

"Thanks", Cruz and I replied simultaneously.

"Who's this?" Cruz wanted to know.

"An old friend", I answered. "Piper Throttleman. You know, as in Dud Throttleman. She's his niece."

Piper laughed softly. "It's okay, Fudge; you don't have to lie. I'm not an old friend. Friends don't ditch their friends in the woods overnight."

"You did that?!" Cruz asked incredulously.

Piper laughed again. "Yeah, I was a real b**ch, wasn't I? I've grown up since then. I'm in a junior racing league and I'm hoping to join the Piston Cup soon. I just need to improve my skills a little more and then wait for a sponsor."

"That's great to hear!" I informed her sincerely. "Good for you!"

"What about you? You've made it!" Piper pointed out.

I grinned. I had. I'd made it. "Yeah. Not exactly the most conventional road, but I wouldn't have changed a thing."

"Well, I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Piper."

We had to leave the conversation there as HJ Hollis and Tim Treadless were trying to get our attention. So, we said goodbye to Piper and greeted Tim and HJ.

"Hey! There you are!" Lightning greeted us after almost an hour of greeting people.

I smiled. "Hi..."

"Enjoying the party?" he asked us.

"Yeah... Are you?"

He nodded. "Yeah! Some of the Next Gens are being nice to me. Nice to know not all of them see me as an old-timer."

I giggled. "Yeah..."

"It looks as though you've got yourself a few fans, soldier", Sarge observed, looking around at the many cars and humans around, calling out to Cruz and me.

"I know..."

"But always remember that we are your biggest fans, angel", Luigi chimed in.

I nodded. "Of course. I'll never forget that." Although, I felt like they had to be my biggest fans because there were my family. It was exciting to have all these new fans who didn't have to like me. Still, it was wonderful to have the love and support of my family.

"Looks like everyone realises how great you are, kiddo!" Sammy informed me. "About time they did."

"It's a good moment when your fellow racers respect you", Louise added. "You girls were lucky to get that this early on."

"I guess so", I agreed, imagining how tough things must have been for Louise Nash to be accepted.

As if on cue, I heard someone behind me calling my name. I whipped around to see Joey, Blake and Flick at the bar, waving wildly at Cruz and me.

"Fudge, Cruz, come over here!" Flick shouted, flapping her arm madly.

I turned back to my family. "Are you gonna be all right if I go?"

Luigi chuckled. "Of course!" He kissed me on the forehead. "Go have some fun with your new friends, Fudge!"

"Yeah, we can't hog racing's newest superstars all night", Sally reasoned with a laugh.

"Thanks, guys! I'll see you later!" I followed Cruz to the bar.

My fellow humans were excited to see us. I noticed that they'd all changed out of their racing suits. Blake was wearing jeans, sneakers and a blue plaid shirt. Joey had on jeans and sneakers too, matched with a white branded T-shirt, a black leather jacket and dark sunglasses. Flick was dressed in a short bright yellow dress and dainty rose gold sandals. I was still wearing my cheerleading attire; I didn't have a racing suit. I would at my next race, though. The thought of that- and having a next race- made me very happy indeed.

"There they are!" Flick greeted us, giving me a small side hug.

"Congrats, guys!" Joey gave me a high-five. He had a very deep voice. "I'm gonna buy you ladies a drink. Fudge, you want a Coke?"

"You don't have to-" I started to protest.

"One Coke over here, please!" Joey was already requesting, pointing to me. "And a Dinoco for Ramirez!"

"Dinoco for Dinoco!" Flick commented with a smile.

One of the bartenders, a pretty mint green forklift with chocolate brown eyes, nodded and began preparing glasses.

"How does it feel to be the new faces of Dinoco?" Blake wanted to know.

"It's awesome!" I exclaimed. I couldn't get out any more than that without breaking out into joyful, ecstatic laughter.

"I never thought anything like this would happen to me", Cruz put in, sounding like she simply couldn't believe it. I knew how she felt; I felt the same way.

"Me neither." I'd always wanted to have something like that happen to me, but I never thought it would.

"Did you see the look on Jackson Storm's face when you guys flipped over him?!" Flick quizzed us. "He was all like..." She imitated the shocked look on Storm's face.

Cruz and I laughed.

"Got a Coke for you here, Miss Fudge!" The mint green forklift slid a glass of Coke with ice, a straw and one of those little umbrellas my way. She smiled at me warmly. "Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you and thank you!" I took a sip. Ah! It was nice and cold. Perfect.

"So, how did you do that flip?" Joey questioned.

"It was actually a move by the Fabulous Hudson Hornet", Cruz explained. "A rookie racer slammed him into the wall, so he did that flip."

"The Fabulous Hudson Hornet", Joey echoed. "I used to watch old videos of him racing. The guy was a legend."

"Me too", Flick chimed in. "And we saw him coach Lightning McQueen... He must've taught you a thing or two as well, hey, Fudge?"

I smiled sadly. "Yeah, he was the best." I didn't cry when I thought about Doc anymore, but sometimes, I got sad, wishing he was there. This was one of those times. I was sure he was proud of me, wherever he was now, but it would've been nice to know for sure.

Luckily, I was distracted before I could get too upset. "Hey! Is this a humans only club?!" a voice called out from behind me. I turned to see Chase Racelott behind me. He was followed by Danny Swervez, Ryan Laney and Bubba Wheelhouse.

"That's discrimination, you know", Danny joked.

"Uh... We got Cruz here!" Blake pointed out, gesturing to her.

"I guess you're an honorary human then", Bubba teased Cruz.

"We'd love to have you!" I informed her.

"Cruz Ramirez, I hereby name you an honorary human", Flick declared.

"I'm honoured", Cruz remarked.

We all laughed.

The nine of us sat at the bar for what felt like hours, laughing and talking as if we'd known each other our entire lives. (Flick and Blake's racing partners, Cam Spinner and Rich Mixon respectively also came by and spoke to us briefly before rejoining the party) We talked about racing for a while before shifting to things like movies and music. I have to admit, I was a little worried Cruz would just forget about me now that she had new friends (it's happened to me before), but she didn't. She talked to me just as much as she did anybody else. I felt included. Even though I wasn't very funny, everyone laughed at my jokes as well as each other's. I was very happy; I was starting to feel like the great new friends I'd found in my new career were the icing on one sweet, delicious cake.

Although, not everyone was happy, as I expected. To my surprise, Jackson Storm had shown up to the party, but he was parked in the corner, sulking. Only two people went over to him. The first was his crew chief, Ray Reverham. I didn't know what he was saying, but I could tell he was scolding Storm, who just groaned and rolled his eyes. The other one was Piper Throttleman. She was talking and giggling, telling Storm he was so hot. I smirked. It looked like someone had a crush on Jackson Storm.

"What is your problem?!" he snapped. "I'm not interested! Why don't you fawn over the winners and forget about me like everyone else?!"

I'll admit, I did feel sorry for him. Winning must've meant a lot to him. I could understand it. For half a second, I considered going over there and talking to him. Although, after everything he'd said to me not just that day, but at the end of the last season and the way he just spoke to Piper, I didn't have the nerve. So, I just settled for casting him a sympathetic smile. He saw me; I know he did, but he pretended he didn't.

There were a few other racers who weren't happy as well. I saw a young human man and three cars: number 5 for SynerG (I later found out his name was Eric Braker); number 70 for Gaspirin (Richie Gunzit) and number 64 for RPM, staring at us. I was just about to say hi when I heard what they were saying.

"It should be against the rules!" Richie complained bitterly.

"Right?!" the number 64 racer agreed angrily. "They just gonna let anyone come in halfway through the race and win now?! What's the point of having any rules in the first place?"

"That human is way too young, anyways", the sole human voiced his opinion. He had spiky brown hair and wore a tight-fitting black T-shirt; skinny jeans and Nikes. I didn't see them until later, but he had very bright green eyes. "She looks about twelve!"

"I think they said she's sixteen", Eric informed him.

"Still too young", Richie affirmed. "Everyone else here is at least nineteen or twenty." He took a sip of his drink. "Man, what was McQueen thinking, pulling a move like that?"

"He must be getting senile in his old age", 64 remarked.

"Oh, look!" Eric shouted. "See that yellow Beetle there? Why don't I give her my number for the next race?"

"And I'll stop by the nearest preschool and pick a rider for her!" the human added. "They'd make an excellent team!"

He and the cars all burst out laughing.

I groaned. I knew comments like that shouldn't bother me, but they kind of did.

"Don't listen to them, Fudge", Flick instructed me as I turned away, trying to ignore them. "They're just a bunch of jerks."

"They're just jealous", Danny added.

"I'll admit, I'm jealous too", Joey confessed. "You ladies got some mad skills. But they don't have to be so petty about it."

"Who is that guy?" I wondered.

"Which one?" Bubba questioned.

"The human", I clarified.

"Aidan Wormwood", Flick answered with a look and tone of disgust. "He thinks he's so hot, but he's really not."

"He's Barry DePedal's racing partner", Danny went on.

"Which one's Barry DePedal again?" That was Cruz.

"Number 64 for RPM", Danny answered.

"He likes you, you know, Flick", Chase pointed out.

"Of course I know." Flick made a face. "He made it perfectly obvious."

"How so?" Cruz wanted to know.

"At the afterparty after the Los Angeles 500, Aidan kissed me." Flick tossed her shiny dark curls over her shoulder. "Didn't say anything, just walked up to me and kissed me."

Cruz gasped. "What did you do?"

"I punched him right in the mouth!"

My eyes widened in amazement. "Wow!"

"It was hilarious!" Ryan laughed. "He was not expecting that at all!"

"He's got confidence", Bubba commented. "Maybe a little too much."

"He's cocky, even for a racer", Blake added.

I glanced back at Aidan. He was talking and laughing with his friends, but when he caught me looking at him, I noticed he gave me the most murderous glance.

"Don't worry about Aidan Wormwood", Ryan told me. "My cousin went to school with him. He's always thought the world revolves around him."

"Hmmm..." I hummed in thought. I'd seen his type before. I hoped he and his buddies would either have a change of heart or stay out of my way. Preferably the former.

"This is your night", Danny reasoned. "Don't let a couple of naysayers ruin it for you."

"Yeah, you're right", I agreed. "Thanks."

"I believe it's my turn to buy the next round of drinks!" Chase changed the subject. "Hey, Sadie!" he called out to the mint green forklift who had served me with Cokes all night. "Three more Cokes, another raspberry iced tea and five more Dinocos over here, please!" The iced tea was Flick.

"You got it, honey." Sadie smiled at him and took our glasses to refill.

The party started to dwindle down about an hour later. Guests were starting to trickle out of the tent, bidding each other goodnight. Before long, Cruz's and my new friends did the same.

"Yeah, I think it's time I hit the sack", Joey yawned.

"Me too", Ryan agreed. "I'll see you guys next week."

"See you then", the rest of us replied.

"Congratulations again, Cruz and Fudge", Ryan continued. "Can't wait to race with you again."

I grinned. "Me neither."

"Think of how great you'll be next week when you actually start the race", Chase pointed out.

Cruz laughed. "That is a good point!"

With lots of high-fives and promises to see each other at the next race, the nine of us went our separate ways. Cruz and I joined my family and the Thomasville gang, who were waiting for us. We'd checked in with them several times throughout the night, but they didn't seem to mind our talking to our new friends.

Not too much, anyway.

"They are a bit older than you", Luigi commented worriedly.

He's so overprotective! I shrugged. "Yeah, but they're cool", I assured him. Well, they did seem like nice people, but I wasn't about to jump right into a close friendship. You can be polite and respectful; you can even be friendly, but don't get too close just yet, was what I'd told myself.

"Well, you are old enough to choose your own friends", Luigi realised with a sigh. "But you let me know if they give you any trouble."

I nodded seriously. "I will."

"You know we'll take care of that", Sarge piped up with a smile. "They make you cry and we'll make them cry."

I giggled. I didn't doubt that for one second, especially if Sarge was involved.

"You ladies ready to go?" Lightning quizzed us once we were back with them.

"Yep." Even though we weren't ready for the night to be over, we were ready to leave the party.

Lightning looked back to the others. "Do you guys wanna head back to the hotel? I wanna talk to Cruz and Fudge for a little while." He must've known how I was feeling!

"All right", everyone agreed.

They all surrounded me with hugs and congratulatory words. Even Smokey, Junior, River and Louise hugged me.

Guido and Luigi were the last ones to hug me. "(We are both so proud of you!)" the former repeated, kissing my forehead.

I beamed. "Grazie!"

"Fudgie!" Luigi gushed, smothering my forehead and cheeks in kisses. "When Guido and I watched you being born, we did not think we would play any part in your life. Now, to be your fathers and witness you win your first race... I am the luckiest car in the world! I love you so much!"

"Not as lucky as I am to have you guys as my dads!" I countered. "I love you so much too!"

They beamed and hugged and kissed me some more.

"Okay." Luigi planted one last kiss on the top of my head. "Don't be out with McQueen and Cruz too late. I think you will need lots of sleep after such a big day."

"All right."

"I love you."

"Love you too."

So, in under a minute, it was just me, Lightning and Cruz. We had the TV on as background noise, listening to the RSN reporters jabber away about us animatedly.

Lightning looked back and forth between us and the trophy. "Well, guys, we did it. You got your first chance to race- and made us all very proud of you- and I get to decide when I'm done racing. Not a bad end to the race."

"Not bad at all", I agreed.

"Are you sure you're okay with this, Mr. McQueen?" Cruz wondered.

"Sure I'm sure", Lightning assured her. "You two deserve this. It was long overdue for both of you. Besides, I never said I was retiring."

"Well, as long as you're happy..." I began.

"I am!" he insisted. He hugged me. "I have no regrets. You ladies have made me very proud. And I'm sure Doc would be too", he added, looking at me. "And I can't wait to see where your career takes you."

I couldn't either. I'd only been a racer for a few hours, but I'd already won my first race, been offered the most lucrative sponsorship a racer could have and made seven new friends. Moreover, a lot of the other racers seemed nice enough. I'd also liked Cam Spinner, Rich Mixon, JD McPillar, Harvey Rodcap, Spikey Fillups, Flip Dover, George New-Win, HJ Hollis and Tim Treadless.

I tried to follow Danny's advice and not let any naysayers ruin things for me. Still, I was a little worried about the jerks like Jackson Storm, Richie Gunzit, Eric Braker, Barry DePedal and Aidan Wormwood. On top of that, I still had my doubts. I was the new face of Dinoco and the protégé of Lightning McQueen and the Fabulous Hudson Hornet... I had one hell of a legacy to live up to and I just wanted to do it justice.

However, if there's one thing I learned from the hardships in my life, it's that there is definitely more good in this world than bad. So, I tried to focus on the good in what I was doing. A year and a half ago, I was so depressed that I tried to end my life. Now, I was starting my dream career (I know I'm pretty lucky; not a lot of people can say they landed their dream job at sixteen), surrounded by my loving, supportive family and some awesome new friends. Not just my new racing friends, but the Thomasville gang (yes, even Herman) and, of course, Cruz.

Plus, it seemed as though Lightning was finally healing from the guilt and PTSD he suffered from after my accident. Of course, nobody blamed him, but now, it seemed like he'd finally stopped blaming himself. (You know, sometimes, I can't help but wonder if I still wouldn't blame him if I remembered the accident. I guess it's easy for me not to be mad because in a way, it feels like the accident didn't happen. I mean, I know it did happen; I spent a year in and out of hospital for it. Still, if I remembered it happening, would I blame him? Would I be angry at him? I guess I'll never know.)

But I digress. Besides, one thing was for sure. Whether it was for better or for worse, I knew my life was about to get very interesting…

But that's another story altogether.

The End...

Of part one! Part two will be coming soon!

I kind of figured it would make sense that Storm wouldn't be the only one not happy about how Cruz (and Fudge!) entered the race. So, I decided to add a couple of other unhappy racers.

Please review! :)