Chapter 3. - How Lightning Got His Name -

Thirty minutes later: Lightning and Doc were at a small diner not far from the track. Lightning ordered a Caesar salad, Doc got a cheeseburger, French fries, and a chocolate milkshake. Lightning raised an eye ridge when he saw what Doc ordered. "Don't say a fucking word… it's my cheat day. Besides I'm not the one running around on a track." Doc growled, making Lightning roll his eyes "Are you ready to face Chick? You know this is going to be his first race after his suspension. I have a feeling you're number one on his shit list."

"That probably explains the extra security I've seen around." Lightning said "He's not even here yet, besides I don't think he's going to try anything. Chick knows he will be watched very closely. He can't win the cup because of his suspension. I, on the other hand, only have to finish most of the races before the Dinoco 400 and I'll get the cup."

"That's what I figured." Doc said "I was like that before my wreck, so don't let it go to your fucking hood."

"Tell me about it." Lightning said "Last season definitely woke me up."

"I know." Doc said "You'll never knew what nasty trick he'll pull."

"Yeah." Lightning agreed "Did you race against someone like him?"

"Kind of." Doc said "He wasn't as rough as Chick, but I got my fair share of injuries from him."

"What was his name?" Lightning asked "If you don't mind me asking."

"He went by Fireball." Doc said "His real name was Edge… Edge Slammer. He did all kinds of nasty things on and off the track. Because of his behavior, Edge got a life time ban from the league. I don't know what happened to him. Most of the sportsmanship rules are because of him."

"You guys went by nicknames?" Lightning snorted "It sounds a little goofy if you ask me."

"Back in the day we all had them." Doc said "I was The Hornet."

"Nice." Lightning snickered "I'm glad we don't do that now."

"Lightning is an unusual name." Doc said "Is it your real name?"

"Yeah." Lightning said "My parents compromised, American names for boys and Scottish names for girls."

"What was the reasoning behind your name?" Doc asked "I'm just curious… me, I was named after my great-great-great grandfather."

"Because from the start of her labor pains to the time that mom gave birth to me was only eight hours." Lightning said "So she named me Lightning."

"Wow! In a hurry weren't you?" Doc asked "Most labors last an average of sixteen to twenty hours. Giving birth usually takes several hours more."

"Yeah, I guess so. Mom said that she didn't have to push me out." Lightning said "She said that I came out so fast, the doctor had barely enough time to catch me."

"I've delivered a few babies like that." Doc said "You should be proud, it's very rare to be born that quickly. Was your sister born that fast?"

"I think that Merida's birth was pretty normal… I was five when she was born, so I don't have a lot of memories. All I really remember is mom bringing this little wiggly thing home."

"So you're the middle child." Doc Said "That explains a lot."

"Yes, I was a spoiled kid… we all were. I think it had a bad effect on me and Brody, Merida on the other hand has always been sweet and loving. When I was growing up, I got bullied because of my name and accent." Lightning said "Although I was born here in the states, Irish is the main language spoken in the house so technically it's my first language and English is my second."

"Every now and again I can hear an accent. It mostly happens when you're really excited about something." Doc commented "Some of your sentence structure is some time off too."

"I've been told that. Sometimes I catch myself, but most of the time I don't notice." Lightning said "So back to my story…. So when I spoke, I had an accent. Some kids couldn't understand me or they thought I was stupid because I didn't know some of the American words. It took until junior high school for me to outgrow the accent. As for Brody, he has never liked me."

"Why?" Doc asked "Other than he sounds like an asshole."

"I don't really know, maybe… I was a better student in school. Or because until I hit puberty, I was small for my age. Brody would hang around with the school bullies. A lot of the time I was the target of their aggression. Brody would laugh as I got the crap beaten out of me. If it wasn't for Merida coming to my rescue, I would have got beaten up every day. Yes, I was teased about my little sister having to protect me. She had and still has a black belt in karate... I don't know what level she's at now, but I know it's up there. Merida always called me a marshmallow, because I didn't know how to defend myself."

"You need some self-defense lessons. You never know when it will come in handy." Doc said "Did your parents do anything to stop Brody's abusive behavior?"

"Of course they did, but that only made him more aggressive. He never took responsibility for his actions, it was always someone else's fault." Lightning said "I don't know if he even graduated from high school. When Brody was not picking on me, he was always getting into fights with the other kids. There was one time I remember that he beat up a fellow student so bad, he had to be taken to the hospital. The police were called and Brody was arrested for assault. It turned out that the kid was okay. Because of the incident, Brody was expelled from school. For the assault, he spent three months in juvenile detention. My parents enrolled him in school for troubled youths, but Brody got expelled from that school too. After that, I think they just quit trying."

"That's too bad." Doc said "I…" Lightning's cell phone started ringing. The caller I.D. said it was Sally.

"Hello Sweetheart!" he said "I'm sorry that I forgot to call you when we got here."

"I figured you did." Sally said "What are you doing?"

"Just eating dinner with Doc." Lightning said "What are you doing?"

"I just ordered the food for the wedding." Sally said "We're giving our guests a choice of chicken, salmon, or steak for the main course."

"Oh, okay." Lightning said, not wanting any of the food that Sally had ordered. He wanted something Irish. "That sounds good."

"Good. I'm glad." Sally said "Anyway, Lizzie's in the process of having a nervous breakdown again…. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay." Lightning said "I love you."

He hung up his phone and sighed, more wedding plans to fret over. "I'm guessing that was Sally." Doc said making Lightning nod "She made more wedding plans."

Lightning nodded again. Lightning did not want Doc to leave, so he quickly changed the subject. "So, what injuries did you sustain from your wreck?" He asked "You've haven't said much about it."

"Uh, let's see." Doc said "It was bad, but not as bad as yours was."

"How did you get in your wreck?" Lightning asked "I know there's a film of it, but I've never really wanted to watch it."

"It was at Daytona Beach. But it's not the Daytona Beach that you race at now. Back in my day, it literally was just a sandy beach. With wooden bleachers here and there." Doc said "It was at the end of a race…with one lap to go. I held back until we reached the final turn then I used my signature power slide. I was able to slide into first place. Then down the backstretch I made an badly-timed move and I barreled rolled numerous times. Fortunately for me they were able to stop the race, allowing medical personnel to get to me quickly. I was loaded up and taken to the hospital. As for my injuries… I sustained three broken axles, both fronts and my left rear. Several cracked ribs, dents all over my body, and my testicles were shredded."

"Your WHAT?" Lightning nearly yelled "Sorry… *lowers his voice.* How in the fuck did that happen?"

"You have to remember we didn't have the protection you guys do now. What was called 'racing codpieces' back then, were thin as tin foil, offering little to no protection." Doc explained "My rear left axle was splintered. The fragments easily ripped through my codpiece and shredded my testicles."

"Ouch!" Lightning said as he tried to cross his rear tires "Is that why you never had kids?"

"Well, yes and no. While the doctors were able to save my testicles from being amputated, the injury left me sterile." Doc said "Besides I never…"

"Never what?" Lightning asked noticing Doc starting to tear up "You can tell me."

"Never mind." Doc growled "I wasn't focused on the fucking race. You need to keep your mind on the track. That's the most important rule out there."

"I've learned that the hard way." Lightning commented "Why couldn't you concentrate on the race?"

"Mind your own fucking business!" Doc spat. With that, he stormed out. Like the other times Doc stormed out, Lightning watched dumbstruck.

"For goodness sakes what has gotten into him?" Lightning mumbled "Could it be what I said? All I asked is why he couldn't concentrate on the race."

Lightning racked his brain for the next ten minutes before paying for the meal and tipping the waitress. He drove down the city street, letting his photo be taken and giving autographs to excited fans on the way back to the track. Once he got back, Lightning looked for Doc. After searching for an hour and a half, he was unable to find him. Lightning sighed sadly and drove back to his trailer and settled down for the night. Doc's strange behavior was bothering him and it took two hours for Lightning to fall asleep.

The next morning 6 AM: Lightning's alarm went off and he drove out of his trailer, stretching his axles on the way. He saw a note taped to his trailer

- Rookie, I'm not coming to training this morning. However, I want 100 laps at a sprint. It shouldn't take you more than 55 minutes. -Doc

"Fifty-five minutes?" Lightning complained "Fuck… Way to take it easy on me…"

Lightning drove out onto the track and warmed up. He lined up at the starting line, avoiding the other racecars. He took off at a sprint and raced around the track, going close to two hundred miles per hour. After seventy-five laps, Lightning started to tire. He pressed himself further, but Lightning knew that he was slowing. He finished his one hundredth lap in an hour and two minutes. Winded, Lightning made his way to the drink station and drank three bottles of water. Lightning drove back to his trailer, still catching his breath. He wondered where Doc had gone and why wasn't he at training. Mack, Abby, and Daniel are not required to stay with the trailers. They usually spend their free time at a hotel close to the track. Lightning saw them arrive

"Good morning guys." Lightning greeted them "Have you guys seen Doc this morning?"

"No." Abby said "The last time we saw him he was heading to supper with you, we haven't seen him since."

"Thanks guys." Lightning said "I haven't seen him since last night either."

"Were heading to breakfast at the track restaurant." Mack said "It's not like Doc to disappear."

"Okay." Lightning said "If you see Doc, please let him know I need to talk to him."

Lightning then headed to his trailer and turned on the television. Lightning had been watching the news for an hour when his phone rang. He saw on his caller I.D. that it was Doc.

"Where are you?" Lightning demanded, answering the phone "And why wasn't you at practice this morning?"

"I'm taking a couple of days off." Doc said "I won't be back until next week."

"You won't be back until next week?" Lightning asked "What do you mean?"

"Stop being so fucking stupid." Doc said "It means I won't be back by Sunday."

"Who will be my crew chief?" Lightning asked "I'm not racing without one."

"Find someone!" Doc said "There are plenty of cars that would be happy to be your fucking crew chief for a day."

"But you're my fucking crew chief!" Lightning said angrily "I need you!"

"I know that." Doc said "But I need some time away from the track."

"Where are you?" Lightning demanded "TELL ME!"

"South Carolina." Doc said tearfully "I'm in Charleston."

"You're in South Carolina?" Lightning asked "What's in South Carolina?"

"Old friends." Doc said "It's something I want to do."

"Old friends?" Lightning asked, very confused "You're taking some time off to visit old friends?"

"Yeah." Doc said, starting to get angry "This fucking conversation would go by much faster if you wouldn't repeat every fucking thing I say. I'm not coming to the fucking race Sunday. Just get your fucking fiancé to do it." And with that, Doc hung up.

"Maybe I will." Lightning said angrily "I'm just hoping she can come on short notice."

Lightning pressed Sally's number on his phone, it started ringing. "Hello?" Sally said groggily "Light, is that you?"

"Yeah it's me." Lightning said "I'm sorry, did I wake you up?"

"Don't worry about it." Sally said "What's up?"

"Can you be my crew chief for Sunday's race?" Lightning asked "I need one. You're the first person I thought of."

"Of course I can." Sally said "Where's Doc? Is he sick?"

"No, he's in South Carolina." Lightning said "He took off last night without telling anyone."

"What's he doing there?" Sally asked "It's not like Doc."

"Who knows, and I really fucking don't care." Lightning said "He said that he seeing old friends, but I don't know if that's true or not. Doc's been acting really weird lately."

"I'll admit, he has been a little off." Sally admitted "I talked to Sophia yesterday. She thinks that there's something bothering him. The entire time that Doc was home, he seemed distant and withdrawn. She said they didn't have sex at all. Sophia said she couldn't even get him interested."

"That doesn't sound like Doc. Before leaving the last track, I heard him say he couldn't wait to get home so he could get laid… his words not mine." Lightning said "He left me a note this morning saying to sprint one hundred laps in fifty-five minutes!"

"Goodness gracious." Sally said "Did you do it?"

"Of course not!" Lightning said heatedly "I made it in an hour and two."

"That's not bad." Sally said "But he doesn't need to be pushing you this hard."

"Yeah." Lightning agreed "I don't know if my axles are up to it. But anyway, will you be my crew chief Sunday?"

"I can, but I don't really know how to do it." Sally said "What if I cause you to wreck?"

"You won't." Lightning replied "You tell me things I can't see on the track and keep me company. The pit crew is experienced enough to know what they are doing without supervision, so you don't have to worry about them."

"If you're sure." Sally said "That sounds easy enough."

"It is. There are some things that take experience, but I still think you can do it." Lightning said "When do you think you'll be able to get here?"

"I'll fly out as soon as I can." Sally said "You're in Houston?"

"Yeah." Lightning said "Just be here by Friday. If I need too, I can buy the ticket and have it sent to you. Anyway, go back to sleep. I forgot about the time difference."

"Don't worry about it. I had already made plans to get up early this morning." Sally said "I have to work on sending out the invitations. Our mothers are here… they'll be over soon to help me with it."

"Oh, Okay." Lightning said "Just keep me informed, I got to go."

He knew once the invitations were sent out, the wedding plans would be set in stone. "Okay, I'll talk to you later." Sally said "Love you."

"I love you too." Lightning said "Don't work too hard."

He heard Sally giggle before hanging up the phone. Lightning remembered there was a mandatory meeting for all racecars, so he drove to the infield where the meeting was taking place. The superintendent called attendance. Once all the cars were accounted for, the meeting started. During the meeting, Lightning ignored what was being talked about and thought about the demanding wedding plans and Doc's strange behavior and absence.

The next morning, Lightning woke up and drove to the track to attempt his sprint again. Lightning warmed up and stopped to ask his timer, a large SUV a question.

"What is the one hundred lap sprint record?" Lightning asked "I'm going to break it."

"Fifty-nine minutes and thirty-three seconds." the SUV replied "Well good luck. No one has been able to break it."

"That's why I'm going to try." Lightning said "Who set it?"

"The Fabulous Hudson Hornet in 54'." the SUV said "It was his last race before his big wreck."

Lightning nodded, realization hitting him. This might have something to do with Doc's strange behavior. "Thanks." he said slowly "I'm ready to start now."

"Okay." the SUV said "I'm ready whenever you are."

Lightning drove to the starting line. The starter raised the green flag over her hood. Once she was sure that she had Lightning's complete attention, she quickly dropped it. With the squeal of his tires, Lightning tore from the starting line. Lightning sped as fast as he could around the track and kept a constant speed until he had ten laps left to go. At ninety laps, Lightning floored his engine. He felt a familiar throb of pain in his front right axle as he rounded turn four with five laps to go. Lightning ignored the pain and attempted to go faster. Minutes later: Lightning charged across the finish line, almost positive he had broken Doc's record.

"What was my time?" Lightning asked, out of breath "Was I close?"

"You hold the record for a one hundred lap sprint." the SUV said proudly "Your time was fifty-seven minutes and thirty-nine seconds."

"Yes! Awesome!" Lightning said "I knew I could do it!" The SUV laughed.

"I'll turn in your time." She said "It should be made official sometime today."

"Okay, thanks." Lightning said "I'll check later." He turned around and drove back to his trailer. Lightning winced as his front right axle throbbed painfully. Once he arrived back at the trailer, Lightning got a bag of ice and wrapped around his throbbing axle. With nothing else to do, Lightning turned on his radio and enjoyed the warm sunshine. It was not long until he was asleep.

COMMENTS:

Guest 2- Yeah sorry I meant Michael. I'm guessing Enzo is Michael and Zoe's last name.- Actually their last name is Schumacher, but I can have Michael's middle name be Enzo.

Doc really works Lightning to the max. I love that about Doc. Pushing Lightning to be the best. I am aware of Doc's reason for not wanting to be involved in Lightning's wedding by marrying them I just don't wanna spoil.- Thanks, Doc's reasoning should be reveled in the next few chapters.

Lightning and Sally are naughty but then you can't help expressing your love.- You know when you're in love, that's all you want to do.

Hold on! Fillmore's smoking marijuana!? He'll get arrested by Sheriff if he's caught with that.- Sheriff knows what Fillmore is smoking. Although it's illegal, he feels that it's pointless to arrest him. Fillmore is going to keep smoking marijuana, no matter what. As a pacifist, Fillmore wouldn't hurt a fly. As long as Sheriff doesn't see it or smell it, he's going to allow it. It's one the perks of living in a small town. Besides, Sarge keeps Fillmore out of trouble most of the time.

Oh that fucking Lightning in the doorway really made me explode. Sally's got her own special ways of dirty talk and it turns Lightning on.- Don't we all.

I can see Doc's concern of Lightning eating fast food. It really isn't good for you. -I agree with you there.

Doc will work Lightning's guts off though. Lightning will break Doc's record for sure with how fast he is. Give Doc something to wanna spank Lightning for with jealousy- I think I can do something.

I forgot to mention. That buck naked fantasy was funny. As tempting as it is you know what the headlines would be. Then that hot night where Sally talks dirty. So exotic.-If you liked that, you should really enjoy the next chapter. Lightning and Sally have some 'alone time.'

IrishScottDragonGirl? Have a listen to lay it all on me. You'll like it. Could add it somewhere between Lightning and Sally in this story- I'm sorry I don't know what you mean.

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.