Author's Note! I'm back and I have the next few chapters ready to go. We're about halfway through it at this point. And since more of the events from here on will tie directly into events from the movie, there may be more instances of borrowing lines from the film. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, or favorited, or followed this story so far! It really gives me the encouragement to continue.

It was the better part of a week before anyone heard about how Lightning was doing. Sally watched RSN periodically, not just to catch any possible news surrounding him, but also because she knew Lightning paid attention to what the media said about him. The town had therefore gotten the news that in order to pay for the Racing Center, Rusty and Dusty sold Rust-eze to a fellow named Sterling. Sterling had made a fortune in the mud flap business that could almost rival Tex Dinoco's. He was the one who put up the money to fund the new facility.

While Sally had RSN on one evening, tuned in to Chick Hicks' show, he mentioned having news on Lightning McQueen right before going to commercial. Based on the teaser image Chick was showing, she knew she had to go get Doc. She got to his garage and saw a light shining under the door, so thankfully he was still awake. She gently knocked.

"Evenin', Sally," Doc said when he opened the door.

"Hey, Doc. Sorry to bother you, but I noticed your light was still on."

"It's no bother." He noticed something was off. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, no, everything's fine. It's just that they're about to talk about Lightning on Chick's show, and, well, I think you're going to want to see this."

"Oh yeah? Well that in case..." Doc gestured his tire back towards the Cone, and they arrived just in time to see Chick showing clips of Lightning at Thunder Hollow. He was covered in mud in a few of the images, presumably as a disguise, apparently taking part in a demolition derby.

"What has that kid gotten himself into this time?" Doc wondered out loud.

"What's he doing at a demolition derby? I thought he was at the Racing Center." Said Sally, echoing Doc's own thoughts.

The next clip showed Sterling, doing some damage control by assuring the press that Lightning knew what he was doing.

"Looks like he's found a new way to cause mischief. I'm surprised it took him this long." Doc chuckled.

As Doc went back to his garage, he wondered if staying behind in Radiator Springs hadn't been such a good idea. Something had to be up. He decided to try and get a hold of Lightning first thing in the morning.

As it happened, he didn't need to wait until morning. A couple hours later, he was jolted awake to the sound of his phone ringing. The Caller ID showed it was coming from the phone in Lightning's trailer.

"Hey there, hotrod." Doc said as he answered.

"Hey, Doc. Sorry about calling so late." Lightning said apologetically.

"Don't worry about it. I'm a doctor. This isn't the first time I've been woken up in the middle of the night."

"So, how are things over there?" The kid was clearly trying to act like nothing had happened.

"Everything's fine. We miss you, Sally especially. But I know you didn't call at this hour to get the latest town gossip. What's been goin' on? I thought I told you not to do anything stupid."

Lightning knew exactly what he was referring to. "You know about the demolition derby," he stated flatly.

Doc had to grin. "'Fraid so. It's all over the sports channels. I suppose the real question is what made you leave the Racing Center?"

Lightning sounded lost when he answered. "I don't know, Doc. I didn't seem to be getting anywhere training on that stuff. I thought I'd go back to the tracks you used to race on, but that doesn't seem to be helping either. If anything, I've gotten slower, not faster. And now I'm all out of ideas." He paused and took a breath. "And Sterling gave me an ultimatum. I have to win at the Florida 500 or he's gonna drop me and race someone else."

There it was. The worst fear for both of them was in danger of coming true. Time for that last resort, Hud, Doc thought to himself. With determination in his voice he told Lightning what he wanted him to do. "Alright, I have an idea that may help you out. If you were just at Thunder Hollow, you can't be too far from Thomasville. I want you to tell Mack to head there. I'll meet you."

"Really?" Lightning replied, sounding hopeful. "You're coming out here?"

"I am. And you'll find out why once I get there."

"But what if it takes too long for you to get out here? I only have a few days left"

"You let me worry about that. I'll be there within 24 hours. You can time me."

"But- "

"Just trust me, Lighting," Doc interrupted, "I know what I'm doing."

"Well, ok" Lightning responded, still uncertain. "I'll see you soon, I guess."

They ended the call, and Doc got to work, making a few calls of his own.