Tex came through like he always did for his friends. He burnt the midnight oil in search of answers for the Weathers family and it paid off. It took the tycoon longer than he would have liked, but his name along with a little bit of money opened doors. It surprised and alarmed Lynda and Strip to find out that there was quite a bit of a fight to find answers. Two weeks passed before Tex had texted with definite information as to where they should head next.

Delanie Willard was the name of Lightning's mother according to his birth certificate. It had taken a lot of digging but eventually Tex's contacts had discovered where she might be, and consequently the Weathers' caravan was taking the direction to find her. Lynda was determined to find answers as to why her nephew had been separated from her for so long and why his mother had decided to disappear from his life. She was a woman on a mission and no one in their right mind would try and stop her.

It had been a tough start to the road trip, which was a fact that Lightning would admit willingly. He hadn't liked the idea of traveling with the intuitive Weathers family, they had all seeing eyes and it made him cringe. However, the more time he spent with them the more they felt like family. It was quite nice to tell the truth. He'd fell into an easy friendship with Cal and he'd slowly begun to open up to Lynda and Strip, it was as if he finally had a family.

The racer paused at the thought of being part of the Weathers' family. It was too nice to be true, he'd often pondered about being a part of a family, and he shook his head as he glanced at a sleeping Cal. They were roaring down the interstate, Strip was the only one awake besides him. Rain splattered on the window and he was left to his brooding. That was fine by him; he'd needed time to mull over everything that was happening in his life. Ever since the day they'd played put-put together he couldn't help but imagine himself staying with them. He couldn't though, that much he knew. There were too many lies that he'd created, and he'd lose his dream of racing. It was as simple as that. So he'd keep his hope of being part of their family to himself, he was only sixteen after all. If he blew the whistle on himself…well that would just stir up trouble for everyone, especially for Mater. He let out a mental sigh and leaned his head against the back of his seat and drifted off to sleep. Maybe he could come up with a solution for his troubles if he slept on them.

Strip wasn't sure what to think as he exited the main highway, he hoped that Tex hadn't somehow chose the wrong place to send them. Despite his worries that they'd taken a wrong turn he kept going, his heart was in his throat. Answers…perhaps where they were headed would finally shed light on the mystery that was Lightning McQueen, or was it Storm? Sighing softly to himself he picked up speed, the wide open road folded out like a red carpet.

With every mile he looked for a sign of life. Nothing, there was nothing as far as the eye could see, just dirt and more dirt. He was getting tired and his sleep deprived mind was sick of the dry looking brown and red soil. After several more miles the headlights lit up a dingy sign announcing that they were entering Radiator Springs. He grinned and pressed on the gas, at last! Civilization! His foot fell like lead on the gas and he picked up speed, the road called to him like a beacon of light.

He didn't realize just how fast he was going until he was startled by a blaring siren, he braked hard and drifted off the main road and through the dirt. A sickening pop and the wheel jerked to the left, Strip sighed as he realized he'd just earned a flat.

"UNCLE STRIP! LOOK OUT FOR THE COW!"

"What cow?" Strip swerved as Cal's scream was right in his ear.

"That COW!" Lightning joined in on the yelling match.

He'd missed the cow thankfully, but unfortunately he'd not noticed the barbed wire fence nearby. The station wagon caught it and dragged a good portion of the fence along a strip of asphalt. Part of the fence caught under the front fender and hooked around the front, which effectively popped both front tires and managed to fishtail. The station wagon promptly rammed into some statue of an old car with a man behind the wheel. Something went flying through the air and knocked out a stoplight.

Strip was mortified. He'd never driven so badly in his entire life. True, he'd been half asleep, but that was no excuse, he should have known better than to drive when he was so exhausted. Cal and Lightning had woke up throughout the chase but Lynda remained asleep and thoroughly cushioned by several pillows. He was thankful he'd not crashed into a wall. He stared at the statue in stunned silence as the siren blared louder behind him.

"Roll down your window hotshot."

"Yes sir." Strip hadn't felt so chastised since he was a teen. Obediently he rolled down the window and was greeted by a badge and a stern looking officer.

"You're in a heap of trouble boy."

"Don't I know it." Strip muttered.

"You been drinking?"

"Of course not!"

"Well, we'll see about that. Better mosey on over to the jail with me." The officer opened the car door and expectantly waited for Strip to get out of the car. With dread curling in the pit of his stomach the racer crawled out of the car.

"Are you being arrested?" Cal called after his uncle and promptly bounded out of the car with his new digital camera in tow. Smiling he snapped a picture of his uncle being patted down by the officer.

"What about them?" Strip was worried about where Lynda and the boys would end up.

"You walk a straight line and I don't see why you all can't stay in the Cozy Cones. I don't particularly like staying at the jail."

"Okay." Strip quickly walked a straight line and proceeded to answer questions for the officer.

"Alright, seems like you're sober, but the judge, he's gonna have to see you in court tomorrow. You caused a lot of damage."

"Alright… Name's Strip Weathers."

"Sheriff Crawley."

"Um…can you show us to the Cozy Cones?"

"Will do, just get them and pile up in my squad car. I'll take you there. That wagon ain't goin nowhere." Sheriff shook his head and waited for the group to pile into the squad car.

"You've got a lot of explaining to do Strip." Lynda hadn't said much since she woke to find Strip carrying her to the squad car.

"Later." He sounded downright embarrassed.

"Did you decide to joyride?"

"Not now," He whispered and turned a little more red. "He is a Sheriff."

"Just use those puppy eyes of yours, maybe that'll get you less time."

"You ain't helping."

"I told you to get more sleep."

"I will next time."

"Good."

"We're here." Sheriff's gruff voice stopped the couple's discussion. "I have the keys for now, you can stay in number one." He tossed them the keys. "I'll pick you up at seven. Judge doesn't like it when you're late."

"What have you gotten us into now Strip?" Lynda teased as they all hustled inside the Cozy Cone.

Strip sighed to himself as they settled in for the night. Things were in a constant upheaval, maybe they wouldn't get fined too much…maybe Cal would delete that picture. He closed his eyes and fell into a restless sleep. The racer was beginning to get tired of waiting for answers, he could only hope they'd find some in Radiator Springs.