Hey everyone. I am back with another chapter for the story. I'm sure some of you are looking forward to the end, which will have a wonderful ending. Anyway hush hush cause I don't want to include spoilers. Let's just head into the chapter.

The following morning, Strip was up bright and early. It was still dawn when he woke up and he was still tired and stressed out from last night. He knew Tex just wanted the team to be their very best, but it was hard. All he wanted was to just be home and lay next to Lynda. He should've been on break already and time was ticking. Soon it would be Christmas. Strip was awakened right away when a loud knock against his trailer door sounded.

"Hey King. Rise and shine. Tex is waiting for us at the Dinoco tent for a debrief. He says it's urgent. He's already summoned for your breakfast to be prepared." his pity Luke Pettlework shouted.

"Just great. I'm probably going to get yelled at again." Strip whispered to himself and sighed. Then louder, he cleared his throat. "Thanks Luke. I'm coming."

Luke nodded and made his way back to the tent. Strip placed his pillow away before stretching himself quickly. He glanced at his phone and shook his front.

"Sorry Lyn. I'll have to call you later. I'm being needed for work right now." Strip told himself and shooks his front, then left his trailer and headed for the Dinoco tent.

When Strip arrived at the tent, it was already busy. Several pit crew members were running all over the place. Roger was going around, making sure everything was ready to go. The team's chef was busy making breakfast orders, coffee, and protein shakes for everyone.

"Has anyone seen my headset?" Roger asked.

"It's on the table over there." One of the pitties called out.

"We should use the tires from yesterday's practice session. That'll help us save tires." Another pitty suggested.

"We can't. Weathers trashed them." Luke replied as he rolled a fresh tire cart out. "We'll have to use another set and get more before the season starts."

At this moment, Tex rolled inside the tent. "Morning everyone."

"Morning sir." Everyone replied before returning to their duties. Tex observed the scene before him and nodded in approval. He then made his way toward the chef.

"How's everything going?" Tex asked, as he glanced at the meals, cups of coffee, and protein shakes.

"Very well Mr. Dinoco. I've got your racer's meal and protein shake ready when he has to eat it. And here's your cup of coffee."

"Good. Thanks. Make sure everyone has a protein drink. It'll be a busy day today. And get started with lunch at about 11 o' clock. Please."

"Yes sir. Will do."

"Great."

Roger and Strip were parked at a table. Roger had all of his notes laid out neatly as he went over some strategy plans that would be useful. Since there would be another practice session, followed by a practice qualifying session, Roger had seized this opportunity to have Strip practice his corners, speed, and drifts. They had just finished discussing what they would do for the practice session when Tex rolled up to them.

"King, I'd like you to eat your breakfast now. We're going to set up soon in a little while then have a debrief. After that, you and Roger will be set to go."

"Yes sir."

By 9 AM, everyone was settling down in their positions. Strip and Roger had just finished their last debrief together, while the rest of the pit crew put their equipment together. Roger had briefed them about the strategy plans they had come up with, along with Tex's approval. The crew nodded in agreement before continuing their tasks. Everyone began to chatter at once until Tex blasted his horn loudly. The chatting stopped and the entire crew drew their attention toward the Cadillac.

"Alright. Settle down please. Thank you. Okay, last debrief before we head out on the track for some practice laps and a practice qualifying session. Last night we were alright, until we got a speeding penalty. This time, Roger has decided to track Weather's speed whenever he comes down pit road. He will alert Weathers immediately if he goes over the speed limit at any point. Also, we have a better pit strategy which I believe will help us make up for the spots we lost. And I think that's it. Alright, let's get settled on the track and have a great day."

"Yes sir." And everyone began to file out of the Dinoco tent.

Strip and Roger had arrived to their pit area just as Strip's phone rang. He quickly glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Lynda. He sighed as Roger glanced back at him.

"I'm sorry. It's Lyn. She's worried. It'll be quick I promise."

"Make it quick. The session is going to start soon."

Strip immediately found a private place where he could talk to Lynda. He picked up the phone and answered.

"Hello?"

"Strip! I have been calling you for days and you never answered. Are you alright? Are you coming home? It's almost Christmas."

"I'm sorry Lyn. I've just been so busy I didn't have time. I promise I'll make it home as soon as possible. I got to go. I'm late for my first practice session. I'll call you when I'm done. Alright? I love you."

"I love you too."

Strip ended the call and headed back to the pits. He knew Roger was waiting for him back at the pits. As soon as he returned, the call came in for all the racers to line up on pit road. Strip went to his position and soon the Piston Cup official gave the racers the go ahead. Strip found himself on the asphalt of the Florida International Speedway. He couldn't believe he was on a track so soon. He was only use to being on a track for the start of the season and even a couple of weeks before then. Roger came on his radio as soon as Strip settled on the track.

"Hey King, let's show these boys how it's done out there. I'll be checking the monitors we have. If we're ready to make a pit stop, we'll let you know. Got it?"

"Yes."

"Good. Just let us know what we can do for you when you need it."

"Will do."

The practice session had started. It took Strip some time to let his position work out, but soon he was ready to go. The times were posted on the large screen in the track, but all of the teams and pit crews had access to it from their monitors. Tex had made sure that the entire crew, including himself, were allowed access to the data. Strip had seen a small preview of his times from this previous racing season. He was really proud of his times and records he had reached. And he was only hoping his times would improve.

Strip continued to pick up his racing line as the laps went on. Roger called him to the pits halfway through so this way they could adjust his two front tires after he complained they weren't tight enough. As the pit crew did their work, he kept his eyes straight forward, waiting for his moment. When all four tires touched the pavement, with the front tires adjusted, Strip sped off carefully and headed back out on the track. As he continued his practice laps, Roger came across some information that concerned him. Turns out the Apple team had times that were impressive and the outlook for them winning the first race of the season was pretty high, along with being the best competitor out on the track for the whole entire next season and possibly even more. He phoned Tex through his radio and soon enough, Tex had called for another debrief. Roger came on Strip's radio right after.

"Hey King, Tex wants us to have another debrief. It's very important."

Strip sighed. "What now?"

"I think you should wait until you're done with your practice laps. I don't want you to lose your racing line. That'll make things worse for us."

"Yeah. You're right." Strip sighed and Roger ended the communication.

What could Tex possibly want now. I've done a lot of work already. I know I won't make it home in time for Christmas. Strip thought to himself.

Another hour had passed before the practice lap session was finally done. As soon as Strip came toward the pits to meet up with his crew, Roger rolled off the crew chief stand and the pit crew assembled around him. Strip joined his crew and they headed toward Strip's trailer for the debrief. Tex was already inside waiting by the conference table. He had a manila folder in his right front tire with papers inside. Strip swallowed nervously, unaware of what he had done wrong this time. Everyone settled at the table as Tex pulled out the papers from the folder. Strip took a quick glance at the papers and sighed agitatedly.

"Great. Just great." Strip whispered to himself.

"You said it right King." Tex replied. Stirs from the crowd began to rise until Tex lifted a tire for them to be silent.

"Alright! Settle down please. Thank you. I know we've been working our best to get home in time for the holidays and have some time off. But unfortunately, I've received some news. Apple's team has a high chance of beating out all the other teams this upcoming season. Their times are really impressive and it looks like if the statistics are right, then they may even have the possibility of winning the championship. And I'm afraid that we'll have to stay here longer than I expected us to."

Everyone moaned and Strip just closed his eyes agitatedly. This was going to be the worst Christmas he would ever experience. Why couldn't Tex just let them figure it out when they returned? Why was it this important? He knew Tex meant well and he just wanted the team to do their best, but this was too much. He should be home right now with his wife and snuggling up against the fireplace with her. The thought of him telling Lynda the devastating news would hurt her, but it would hurt him more just by hearing her response.

He knew what he had to do at that very moment. He would rather tell Lynda himself before anyone else told her, or the media. He waited for her to answer.

"Hello?"

"Hey Lyn. It's me. Listen, we have to talk."

Chapter 5 is finally done. I'm thinking Chapter 6 will be the last chapter of the story and it looks like that so far. I also came up with this idea after listening to a Christmas song about not being able to celebrate it with loved ones and how it can help you know you have your loved ones with you in your heart, even if they're gone. I know the song's meaning is different if you listen to it, but it really inspired me to write this story on Lynda and Strip. Anyway, I hope you like it. And please feel free to leave a review. And I'll see you for the last chapter of my story.