Chapter 4. - Recovery Part 1. -
Later in the evening: Most of Doc's time and energy went into caring for Lightning. But, he managed to get a couple of rooms at the hotel across the street.
"…and that's your card key." Doc said "Your room is next door to mine."
"You didn't have to do this." Sophia said as she looked at the key "I have a time share on the other side of town."
"I know…I-I-I" Doc stuttered, before dipping his hood "I like having you close."
Sophia smiled warmly as she hugged him.
"I like being close to you too." She bashfully said "After we get Lightning settled for the night, how about we head over to the hotel and have a few drinks."
"I think I would like that." Doc said "But I'm planning to spend the night with Lightning."
"I understand." Sophia said "But you have to take care of yourself or you're not going to be able to care for Lightning."
"Yes mother." Doc said playfully "Do you want to go now? I haven't eaten anything since before the race and I'm starving."
"Sure, I would love that." Sophia said "It looks like Lightning is resting comfortably, so we can slip out of here and have some dinner."
Late in the evening: The hospital staff brought in a cot and some blankets for Doc to sleep on. They encouraged Doc to talk to Lightning, play his favorite music, put on his favorite TV shows, or anything that might encourage Lightning to wake up.
"It's getting late. If you don't need anything, I'm heading to bed." Sophia said "If you need anything just call."
"Okay, thanks." Doc said as he kissed her on the fender "I'll see you in the morning."
After Sophia had left, Doc checked on Lightning one last time before grabbing a blanket and settling down. To his surprise, Doc was asleep within moments. The next morning: Doc woke up with a satisfying yawn and found out he was very stiff and sore. While Doc slept okay, the cot was a little uncomfortable and Doc didn't get the deep restorative sleep he was used to. Doc stiffly climbed out of the cot and checked on Lightning. Lightning's condition had not changed overnight and he appeared to be resting comfortably. Doc sighed as he started to let the weight of what happened settle over him.
"I'm so sorry Rookie." Doc said with tears in his eyes "This is all my fault. I think… once you have recovered, you need to find another crew chief… one that will mind his own fucking business."
Lightning took several deep irregular breaths. His engine rate along with his vital signs went up dramatically. Alarms started blaring, nurses came rushing in.
"What's going on?" One of them asked "He was stable a little while ago."
"I don't know. I was just talking to him." Doc said "All I said is once he gets better, he needs to find another crew chief."
Again Lightning took several deep breaths, his engine rate jumped, and he managed to start kicking with one of his rear rims.
"Okay, okay!" Doc said catching on to what was happening "I'll be your crew chief as long as you want me to."
Lightning immediately settled down. He quit thrashing and his engine rate returned to normal.
"I guess you're stuck being his crew chief." One of the nurses said playfully "Although Lightning is not fully awake, that response was a good sign that his brain is not damaged. I'll let Dr. Pantera know what happened."
Doc parked on his cot
"You know, you can be such a pain in the bumper when you feel like it." He said "I want you to behave, Sophia will be here soon. *There was no response from Lightning.* Wore yourself out did you? Maybe that will teach you not to throw a hissy fit. Just rest, you have a long road ahead of you."
About an hour later: Sophia arrived with the morning report.
"Anything else?" Doc asked, once Sophia was done. "I have a meeting with the racing league in a few hours."
"Mr. Tex Dinoco asked me to tell you that he's prepared to do whatever's necessary to get Lightning home and settled when he is well enough for travel. Mack reports that the pit crew is bored and starting to go a little stir crazy. They are staying in a hotel not far from here. The track has been closed and they couldn't stay there… Do you want them to go home or stick around?"
"Unfortunately, only family is permitted on this ward." Doc replied "So tell the team to go home."
"I'll let them know." Sophia said "Do you want breakfast?"
"I suppose I'd better." Doc admitted with a sigh "I have to keep my strength up."
A couple of hours later: As Lightning was taken to the lab for his CAT and MRI scans, Doc headed to a conference room. Several high ranking league officials were there to meet him. After introductions were made, the group headed into the conference room so they could talk privately. After the meeting: Doc returned to Lightning's room to continue his vigil at his bedside. Again there was no change in Lightning's condition.
Late in the afternoon: Dr. Pantera arrived at Lightning's room.
"I have the results of the CAT and MRI scans." Jack said "It shows Lightning has a concussion. He's currently scoring a six to six and a half on the Glasgow Coma Scale."
"I figured that." Doc said "I've seen a lot worse though."
"I'm sure you have... I'm sorry, there's little we can do other than keep him comfortable." Jack said "Rest is the best thing right now. Are you sure…"
"NO, I'm not taking him off life support. So don't ask me again. This morning's outburst tells me that Lightning is recovering." Doc said angerly "It's only been twenty four hours since the accident. It's way to early to give up on him! I've been monitoring Lightning's vitals. They have been getting stronger. I'm hoping he'll wake up in a day or two."
"I understand." Jack said "I'll talk with you again tomorrow."
Doc glared at Dr. Pantera as he left the room. It wasn't long until Doc was tired. He laid down on his cot and relaxed. As the monitor emitted a soft almost hypnotic beep, Doc fell asleep.
Later that evening:
"Doc, wake up." Doc heard a voice say "Doc, Doc."
"Lightning?" Doc asked gently "Are you awake?"
"No, it's me, Sophia." the voice said "I hate to wake you but I just have a few statements for you to look over. If you approve them, I will release them to the press."
"What? Oh, okay." Doc said opening his eyes. "I must have dozed off for a while."
"I brought us some dinner. After we eat, we're going to the hotel." Sophia said "You need your rest and don't even think about arguing with me. Lightning is doing better, so he doesn't need you babysitting him twenty four hours a day.*Lightning took several deep breaths.* See he's agreeing with me."
"I know that when you use that tone of voice, it's pointless to get you to change your mind. It's just like the Kid to take your side of an argument." Doc said "I promise I'll look over the press statements and then we'll head to the hotel."
As Sophia dished out their supper, Doc looked over the press releases and approved them.
"So how are you doing?" Doc said as he tried to talk to Lightning again. There was no response from Lightning. Doc paused, trying to fight off tears and despair "Lightning needs to wake up, so that I can take care of him."
"Maybe the smell of good food will do something for Lightning, entice him to work a little bit harder to wake up." Sophia said as she set Doc's dinner down in front of him "Didn't you say he's always hungry."
"Yes, he is." Doc said gratefully as he leaned against her. "There's some days he eats enough to feed a small army. I have no idea where he puts it all."
Soon: Doc felt a little better, he even found his sense of humor returning.
"Rookie, trust me." Doc said "You really shouldn't be missing out on this good stuff. Even for hospital food, it tastes a lot better than that stomach tube you're hooked up to."
After spending a quiet evening with Lightning. Doc and Sophia headed to the hotel. As soon as they reached the hospital's lobby, they were confronted by the waiting press.
"I'll take care of this." Sophia offered "You can head to the hotel and get some rest."
"I'll say a few words." Doc said as he approached the pack of reporters. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm afraid I have no news at the moment. Lightning's condition remains unchanged. If anything changes, I'll let you know. Sophia and I have had a long day and we are heading to the hotel for the night. That's all I have to say."
With the hospital's security surrounding them, Sophia and Doc headed to the hotel. For the next couple of days, Lightning's condition remained unchanged. Doc only left Lightning's side to eat, shower, and sleep. Sophia was kept busy with all the media requests.
Late one evening, Doc accepted Sophia's invitation to dinner. For the first time in days, Doc relaxed and enjoyed himself. The next morning: After a good night's rest and a cool morning shower, Doc and Sophia headed to Lightning's room.
"Morning Rookie!" Doc loudly greeted Lightning. At first, he almost missed it; the briefest twitch of Lightning's front rim. "Kid? Come on, I know you can do it."
Sophia saw another twitch.
"I saw it too! He twitched!" She said, hitting a button next to Lightning's bed "I'm calling the nurse."
If Sophia saw movement, Doc knew he wasn't imagining things.
"Lightning, wake up…please." Doc pleaded quietly "Come on wake up."
"What can I do for you?" A nurse asked as she rolled into the room "As far as I know, there was no change from last night."
"He twitched." Doc said "Sophia saw it too, so I'm not hallucinating."
The nurse frowned as she looked at the monitor that kept track of Lightning's pulse.
"His pulse has gone way up. Try talking to him again, or whatever you did to get him to move." The nurse said making Lightning twitch "I'm getting Dr. Pantera!"
She quickly left the room.
"Come on!" Doc uttered as the nurse came back with the doctor "Get your lazy butt out of bed, you have to train!"
"Lightning, can you hear me?" Jack asked driving up to him "I need you to respond to my voice."
Doctor Pantera quietly studied the monitor for a few moments. Lightning's rim gave another twitch. Suddenly, he took a strong deep breath and let out a little groan.
"Rookie! Lightning!" Doc said "Get up, you're late… as usual."
Lightning moaned softly in response.
"He's trying to wake up!" Jack said, causing a smile to slowly creep across everyone's faces "Keep encouraging him!"
"Hey Rookie!" Doc said "How are ya feeling?"
Lightning tried to say something, but with the respirator over his mouth he couldn't say anything. Lightning was 'awake' for only a few minutes and then drifted back to sleep. Waking up from a coma was slow, but the first steps were the most important. A wave of relief washed over Doc.
Over the course of the morning: Lightning became more and more aware of his surroundings. Doctor Pantera examined him and found that he was breathing well enough to be taken off the respirator, allowing Lightning to communicate.
"Doc, where…where… am … can't see anything…" He hoarsely said "I hurt all over… where's Sal…ly?"
"You're in a hospital. You were racing and crashed." Doc said as Doctor Pantera rolled into the room. "He's alert. Although still a little confused."
"Lightning, I'm Doctor Pantera." the physician said "Can you understand me?"
"Yes…" Lightning said "Please don't yell, I have a pounding hood ache."
"We can get you something for that." Jack said softly "Do you know where you're at?"
"Doc tells me I wrecked." Lightning said hoarsely "I'm in a hospital."
"That's correct, we have some tests to run." Jack said happily "But it looks like you're recovering well."
"Sophia, could you make the announcement that Lightning is awake and doing well?" Doc asked "I don't want to leave him alone."
"It'll be my pleasure." Sophia said nearly jumping for joy. "I know this will make everyone happy!"
A few hours later: Dr. Pantera took Doc to a conference room.
"I have good news; it looks like Lightning's brain has suffered no damage." Jack said "The same cannot be said for the rest of him."
"I have been in contact with the resident surgeon at our hospital. He said that he and his staff are ready to receive Lightning at any time." Doc said "I know your team of doctors are more than capable of performing the necessary surgeries, but it would do Lightning a world of good to be home. He'll probably heal quicker as well."
It was decided that Doc would take Lightning home to perform the surgeries.
"Okay, Rookie." Doc said entering Lightning's room "The tests are all done for now."
"Please stop yelling, I still have a hood ache... but it's not as bad as before." Lightning said weekly "I can't see, it's kinda freaking me out."
"I understand Kid." Doc said "You've got to recover from the coma before we can begin the reconstructive surgeries. We're heading home soon."
"When's that?" Lightning asked "I need my Sally."
"In a couple of days." Doc said "Right now, you're not strong enough for travel."
"Could you get me something to eat?" Lightning asked "I'm starving."
Doc laughed, at that point he knew Lightning was going to be okay.
"I'll get you something." He said "I must warn you, the hospital's food is not that great."
Two days later: Lightning felt refreshed and glad to be alive despite being blind and in constant pain. He was happy that he was going home today. When everything was ready, Lightning felt himself being wheeled outside.
"Tex insisted that Rotor Turbosky fly you home. Doc said "Mack wanted to take you home himself, but you are in too fragile a condition to withstand road travel."
As the medics placed Lightning inside the helicopter's cabin. Doc turned and faced Sophia.
"I don't know what I would have done without you and your amazing skill." Doc said "You have my eternal gratitude for helping me during this crisis."
"Anything for a dear friend." Sophia said "Besides you talked so much about Radiator Springs, I want to see it... although I only have about ten days left in my vacation."
"Once we get Lightning in the hospital." Doc said "I'll be glad to show you around."
Once the medics had Lightning settled, Doc and Sophia boarded the helicopter.
"I'm right here." Doc said as he gently gave Lightning a nudge "Sophia is on the other side."
"Sophia?" Lightning asked "Who's that?" "Just a friend." Doc said as Rotor began to spin up his blades "I want you to relax, we'll be home in a couple of hours."
"I'll try." Lightning said "Will I be able to race again?"
"I won't lie to you." Doc said "It won't be easy. If you want to race again then yes, I'll gladly help you."
Lightning was still very weak and the helicopter ride was taxing for him. Doc could tell Lightning was in pain, so he added a painkiller to the I.V. As the medicine started to ease Lightning's discomfort, he slowly fell asleep.
Two hours later:
"Lightning, it's time to wake up." Doc said "We're about to land in Radiator Springs. There are a lot of cars ready to welcome you home!"
Rotor touched down on the helicopter pad as gently as he could, so as not to jar Lightning.
"I'm getting out first, then Sophia, then you." Doc said "I'll never be more than a couple feet away. If you need anything, you just tell me."
"I want to see Sally." Lightning said "Then I want something to eat, I'm hungry."
"See what did I tell you. He's always hungry." Doc said to Sophia, she just giggled. "Once you're settled in the hospital, I'll get you something to eat."
The crowd began cheering as Doc and Sophia slowly came down the ramp. Medics went aboard to retrieve Lightning.
"McQueen! McQueen!" the crowd began chanting "McQueen! McQueen! McQueen!"
Lightning smiled as he was moved slowly down the ramp.
"Ladies and gentlemen." Doc said as he rolled up to a bank of microphones "Lightning and I can't begin to express our deep appreciation for your incredible turnout for our homecoming. *A loud cheer went up from everyone in the crowd.* Lightning wants to say a few words."
Doc moved the microphones towards him.
"The microphone is in front of you." Doc said "Don't make a long winded speech like you always do."
"Thank you everyone." Lightning said as loudly as he could, but his voice was barely above a whisper. "I can't say much at the moment. With Doc's help and your support, I'm going to race again."
A loud cheer went up from the crowd.
"Okay folks." Doc said "Thank you all for coming. We're going to allow Lightning to get some rest. Thank you again and have a good day!... Okay! Let's get him settled."
The medics rolled Lightning into the hospital.
AN: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a neurological scale which aims to give a reliable and objective way of recording the conscious state of a person for initial as well as subsequent assessment. A person is assessed against the criteria of the scale, and the resulting points give a person's score between 3 (indicating deep unconsciousness) and either 14 (original scale) or 15 (more widely used modified or revised scale).
Guest 2
Well Doc has been an idiot interfering with Lightning and Sally's relationship causing complications over his relationship with Lightning.- I don't know about you. I know someone that is always sticking their nose into other people's business and tell them how to live their lives. People like that totally piss me off.
That crash has taken the toll. Very supportive of Sophia and Sapphire over the impact. Chick will get a taste of karma soon for unsporting behaviour. I know how sickening it can be to see someone in such a state- I have improved the "court" chapters, so yeah he gets what's coming to him. For the next story, Distractions, I have even written in a little bit of surprise. It's going to be awhile before we get it it though.
This may be a rewrite but your stories are always worth reviewing ;)- Thanks. I appreciate your comments and encouragements!
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