New York

Lightning, Harv, Mack, and Doc stepped off the jet. Harv immediately rambling on "Okay Lightning, We got a photo shoot with Doc here for wheels of time, an interview with Kasey Mclaurin. Then we need to check into our rooms. Then dinner with Jay to talk about the show. Got it?" Lightning smiled all positive "Yeah, This is gonna be great! achoo! Come on Doc? Doesn't it feel good to be back?" Doc sighed asking "You okay? Sneezing alot today?.." Lightning shrugged "Yeah?" The group walked into the lobby where they were all greeted, rather ambushed by lots of flashing cameras and reporters asking different questions at the same time and loudly. "McQueen! Do you plan to challenge Chick Hicks for the cup again?" "Is it true that the hudson hornet is now your official coach?" "Do you plan on returning to Radiator Springs?" "Can you show us the bolt!?" "Whose the blonde you were with kissing on the internet!?" But with security they ignored this and got into a limo outside. Once inside, Mack spoke up "Phew! I tell ya, I'll never get use to that!" Harv was back on his several devices .A very busy man. Doc then made the comment "This is alot different than I remeber fame being?" Harv replied "Yeah, that was back in the day. Things have changed. Cell phones, bigger cars, more girls, it's a tougher career now days Doc." Doc snickered a bit. "Achoo!" Lightning sneezed again. Doc stared asking "Kid you sure you feel alright?" Lightning began answering but Harv answered for him saying "Ofcourse he is? He's Lightning McQueen?" Doc snickered. But thought back a moment... Remebering his days of fame...

"Hudson! Over here!" The few reporters called. Only two giant cameras there set up from stands on the ground. The young Hudson Hornet smiled and waved. His coach Smoky by his side. It was outside on the track itself. Dirt track. There was no large fence even protecting the on lookers feom cars much. "Hudson, What do you have to say about the rookie?" a woman in a baby blue, now, vintage dress asked. Smoky stepped in answering "Hud ain't scared of no rookie.In fact I'd be worried for the rookie." Hudson smiled for another picture before he and his small team of no more than three walked away into two old buicks to the old bar in town to celebrate Back then, you didn'thave the fancy jets or tons of reporters, loud music, giant limos...

"Doc?.. Doc!?" Lightning called, snapping him out of the memory. Doc stared at the kid. Lightning raised a brow asking "Is that okay?.. You sharing a room with Harv?" Doc glanced at the kid's agent a moment then nodded answering "Sure kid." Lightning cleared his throat a bit loudly. Harv seemed to ignore it completely but then griped "Stupid desk messed up the reservations. It's okay. Two rooms. I'm sure you want your own room Light? The usual?" He winked. Doc's brows lowered asking "What does that mean?" Lightning blushed clearing his throat again. But Harv had no problem explaining "Oh just Lightning here usually has company over at least once." Then went back to his phone. Doc snickered and shook his head. Thinking of Sally. And beginning to plan a lecture for the kid. Then Doc asked "Where's Mack staying?" Mack chuckled speaking up "Oh my wife is meeting us up here. I'm staying with her." Doc nodded. At least someone had faithful intentions "Cough cough cough!" Lightning covered his mouth. Doc spoke up "You sound sick." Lightning replied "I'm fine. Thanks."...

Photo shoot for wheels of time, check. Private interview with Kasey Mclaurin, Check. Filled with Lightning coughing and sneezing multiple times, check.

Then everyone went to the suite. A huge building. Doc stared up at it.. So different than Radiator Springs where he was use to and comfortable. The three made it into the elevator. But just as they entered, Harv's phone began ringing. "Ooh Gotta take this, You two go ahead, I'll catch up." And he stepped off. Doc and Lightning stood alone on the elevator. Up a level, ding, Lightning sniffled a bit, clearing his throat. up a level, ding... up a level, ding... This continued. Doc then sighed, he had to ask "Are you dating Sally or not?" Lightning stared a moment at the old racer, his official coach answering "Well yes?" Doc nodded replying "So I expect you won't have any company over." Lightning shook his head and shrugged "No, no. No that's just Harv. He exaggerates sometimes. cough cough." Doc rolled his eyes and explained "Look, if you have a woman you should treat her with respect. Be faithful. Don't toy around with her feelings. And be grateful. Don't push it and don't push her. Take it slow. Otherwise you might wind up doin something stupid you regret the rest of your life. Sally is a good person. Deserves to be happy. And if she's willing to put up with your life of fame than you should be honored. Because you and I know that in this line of work, work comes first. Whether you mean it to or not. You gotta balance it. Learn how to weigh in on what's more important." Lightning stared at the older man and replied "It's fine.. I know?.." "Do you now?" Doc asked. Lightning answered "Yes!? I know how to treat a woman?" "Good. I better not need to say more than." The elevator got to the floor. Doc stepped off first. Lightning let out a breath of relief.. "Geez.." he muttered before following. But talking to Lightning about that made Doc remember back to the woman he had fell in love with long ago..

The race cars zoomed across the old dirt track! "Hudson is in the lead! Hudson is in the lead!" The announcer yelled with excitement into the old speaker! Dust flew, engines roured! "What's this!? It seems our mystery driver 94 is gonna give Hudson a run for his money!" The 94 sped up right next to Hudson! Hud looked over at the man. A faded yellow and pink ambassador! The man was determined! Smoky yelled from the pits "Come on Hud! You got him! Don't let him pass ya!" The announcer looked at the list of drivers and read the newer drivers name "Lou Martin?.. hmm." Martin sped up close to the side of Hudson's ride! "It's gonna be close! Martin or Hudson! Who will it be!?.. And... Martin! Number 94 takes the win!" Martin sped off doing donuts and enjoying his victory. While Hudson pulled to the side. Out of breath and stunned that? Someone passed him and won this race!? Hudson was doing so well and hadn't lost a race!? Hudson got out his hornet car and Smoky came up reassuring "It's okay Hud. It's one race? You'll get em next time." Hudson stared at Martin a little annoyed. But the next race came and Hudson lost again, "Martin wins again!" And the next.. "Martin takes his third win in a row!" the announcer shouted and the crowd cheered him on. Hudson got out his race car, slamming the door shut. Smoky tried helping his racer calm down "Hey its okay Hud." "No!? It's not?.. Time to meet this guy and see who he is!" Hudson said kinda angry. Mostly frustrated. Hudson pushed through the small crowd of reporters and called out to Martin "Hey? You sure are lucky. What you got under that hood there Martin?" Martin stared at Hudson then took off his helmet. The crowd and Hudson all gasped! Completely shocked. Someone shouted "He's a she!?" Everyone stunned. The beautiful brunette smiled and greeted "Hi there boys..". Hudson's jaw dropped. Stunned! She stepped closer to Hudson smiling she held out her hand admitting "And the names Nash. Louise Nash."...

"ACHOO!" snapped Doc right back again. He looked at Lightning who "Achoo, achoo! Cough cough cough cough!" Doc glared stating the obvious "You're sick." "No I'm fine?.. I don't get sick? I don't have time to be sick?" Lightning defended Doc then asked "Really? You're gonna argue with the doctor?" Lightning didn't say anything. Harv suddenly appeared! "Hey! Alright come on! We got to get to that dinner tonight Light." Doc stepped in expressing his concerns "No?.. Lightning needs to rest. He's sick." Harve glanced at Lightning before commenting "He looks fine? Now go get dressed in your suit." he ordered the kid. Lightning cleared his throat then went in in his room to change. Doc glared at Harv and explained "You send him out for this dinner tonight instead of resting? He's not gonna make it to that show tomorrow night." Harv rolled his eyes snapping "Sure old timer. We'll just give him some cough syrup and pills? He'll be fine? Can't miss this dinner because it is way to crucial for the show tomorrow." Doc sighed and shook his head snarling in a deep graveling voice "Okay. You clearly have Lightning's best interest at heart." Harv raised a brow replying "Thank you? Look, I really do. So you do your job and coach the kid, Let me do mine and get him where he has top be. " Harv then messed with his phone. Doc sighed and couldn't believe how this guy was treating Lightning and Lightning wasn't seeing it sense Harv helped him become the celebrity he was..

Dinner

Jay smiled greeting them, Lightning first "Lightning! Great to finally see you! Hope you're ready for tomorrow nights show! Rookie of the year!" He smiled and winked, nudging Lightning. Lightning covered his mouth with a "Cough,cough, Ofcorse!" Jay nodded then greeted Doc, "And you must be the fabulous Hudson Hornet!?" Doc and Jay shook hands. Harv came in speaking "So I was hoping you could run Lightning through what you plan on doing on set?" Jay laughed answering "Oh ho yes! Come, let's sit down and have a drink while we talk." Lightning then let out a sneeze. Harv noticed and then payed a waitress a little extra cash and whispered something in her ear. Jay asked as drinks were being poured by a waiter, "So how was the trip up here?" Lightning answered "Great. It was a nice flight. Just wish I could have convinced my girlfriend Sally to come along." Jay smiled asking "Ooh.. Now I wish so too. So how did you meet this hidden treasure?" referring to Doc. Lightning and Doc glanced at each other. Lightning cleared his throat answering "Actually um.." Harv leaned over and whispered something into Lightning's ear now. Lightning coughed then continued "Well Doc here has?.. Been a role model of mine for a long time. And.. And I needed to get back in touch with what got me into racing to begin with?.. So, achoo. Geez.. Sorry. I..can't stop sneezing.." Doc nodded. Jay asked "Hope you aren't coming down with anything. My sister is sick actually." Lightning shrugged it off "I'm fine." Then the waitress came back with cough syrup. Harv took it and poured some out for Lightning to take. Jay noticed and asked "Gee Harv? should I be worried?" Harv shook his head and handed Lightning the liquid. Doc stared. More than he should be taking but it was alright. He needed something. Lightning sniffled some and took it down quick like a shot. After dinner, they headed back to the hotel. Lightning began sounding stuffed up. His voice deeper and nose clogged. Doc tried to convince him to take it easy. Lightning agreed to rest for the remainder of the night and following day up to the show.

So once alone and his own room, Lightning showered, took some meds and more cough syrup then grabbed the phone and calles his new girlfriend before heading to bed...

Hello?

"Hey Sally. How are you?"

Im?.. Okay. Question is how are you? You sound awful?

"I'm fine I swear? What you been up to?"

Um.. Work. You sure? You really sound sick? I actually think I'm coming down with something myself.

"Really?"

Yeah. The back of my throat feels scratchy and I've been sneezing.

"Oh... Great... I'm sorry to hear that.."

You should hear yourself.

"I don't have time to be sick Sally. I got this show tomorrow night."

I know.. You better get some rest than Stickers.

"And I will.But.. First..."

It got quiet.

"What are you wearin?"

What?

Sally couldn't help giggling a little.

"You heard me."

Well. I haven't even showered yet. Probably going to take a hot bath. Get my sinuses cleared out some.

"So what I hear?.. Is that you're about to be naked?"

Ha! Yes McQueen, I'm about to be naked.

"They really need to invent a phone that is like a web camera. Than I could watch."

Oh you wish!

"I do. I really do. Plus this sliding phone is getting on my nerve. Still can't text on these buttons for the life of me."

Sally laughed. She had the cutest laugh.

"l miss you."

Already?

"Yes. achoo!"

Ha, Okay Sickie.

"Can I call you in the morning?"

Yes. Get some rest. You sound like you need it.

"I will. You to babe."

I will. Goodnight.

"Night..."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNCOK!!!

Harv repeatedly knocked on the door. Doc stood next to him and scolded "He ia sick." Harv looked at the time and snapped "He doesn't have time for this!??" Doc only stopped Harv and explained "Time or not. I warned you." Harv glared at Doc then noticed the cleaning lady and grabbed the spare room key. She yelled something but Harv didn't listen and opened Lightning's room door. Doc apologized and the two went inside. "Kid!?" Harv yelled making his way to the bedroom "Light we have to her going!?" Both men walked into the bedroom to find Lightning passed out in the bed. Harv walked over to the windows and opened them! Lightning groaned a bit then "cough, cough cough!" Doc walked over ans noticed the cough syrup wqs empty. He sighed and scolded Harv "He is not getting up. He drank the entire bottle. I told you he was sick and now he's put cold." Doc patted the kids face. Lightning groaned a bit then opened his eyes. Staring at Doc. Doc sighed and asked "You awake?.." Lightning blinked a few times then finally admitted "I'm sick.." in a deep quiet breath. Doc snickered a little. Harv began panicking "No, no no!? You can't blow Jay off the night of the show!? come on Lightning I'll get you a drink and something to get you through the show." Lightning sighed and sat up. He looked awful at this point. And Doc had it with Harv and asked the kid "You wanna make me your official doctor?" Lightning stared a bit confused. Maybe even dazed but shrugged answering "Okay?.." Doc nodded replying "Good. As his doctor I'm ordering you to stay in bed. Even if this guy keeps trying to get you up." Harv's eyed widned "What!? No, no? He has to be up and shower now? Come on Lightning?" Lightning glanced at Harv then Doc and replied "Harv.. I think... I think Doc is right on this one... I can't.." Harv growled loudly! "That is it! I can't take this Kid!? You can't be playin me like this." Lightning just shrugged. Harv shook his head grumbling "You are going to make me look so bad... Alright! Whatever!? You do this and I quit?" Lightning shook his head. Doc replied "Doors right there." Harv left. Lightning just dropped back down in bed.