A/N: Hey guys! Now there have been complaints that Cruz is a little too emotional and cries a lot. I want you all to know that yes she does cry, but it's to show how she copes with having anxiety attacks. I ask for some consideration for her current state, she won't be that way for long! ;) Also, sorry for the delay, I was dealing with a lot of things but writing these chapters gives me life as well. Hope you all enjoy this one. Sorry for the delay I will try to update as soon as possible.

Just One Lap

Cruz

28, 29, 30. 30 ceiling tiles. Man, staring at these blank walls and this dingy ceiling is sending my mind on a rampage!

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She let out a long sigh and closed her diary. I guess this entry will have to wait till next time.

"Come in," she said in a dry tone as she pushed her diary to the side.

"Good morning Ms. Ramirez! How are you feeling today?" her doctor asked as he came over to her bed with a nurse pittie holding a clip board on one of her forks.

"I'm doing alright. Are you here to tell me that I can finally go home?" Cruz asked with a bright smile.

"Nothing gets past you huh? Well yes, I am here to give you your test results and see what I can do to send you home."

She beamed with an overflowing joy. She definitely couldn't wait to get home and finally start training with Lightning. She could feel the wind rushing over her hood and the thrill of leaving a dust trail behind her. Willie's Butte here I come!

"Alright Ms. Ramirez, most of your results are normal," the doctor started as he glanced at the clip board the pittie was holding.

Most of my results are normal? How come all of them didn't come back normal?

"Now I know you must be a bit nervous about some of your test results not coming back normal. Before I proceed to give you the rest of the results along with my diagnosis, I need you to listen carefully to what I am about to say."

"Um, yeah. Yeah I'm listening," Cruz said as she looked down at the ground.

"Cruz, due to your frequent anxiety attacks, high stress levels, and some signs of severe dizziness, I have decided to diagnose you with panic disorder."

Her face dropped. Her heart sank. Her engine almost died out and she pressed her wheels into the bed.

"I know that this is very hard to take in, but I need you to stay with me. It's important that you abstain from any activities that involve the excessive use of energy. I suggest that you get a lot of rest. I can release you today, but you have to promise me to not to do anything rash or anything that could tamper with your health."

The doctor went on and on but his words became muffled. All she could think about was how Lightning would react to all of this. She could care less about the news, all she cared about was living her dream of becoming a racer and making her mentor proud. The doctor advised her to keep away from any activities that would require using lots of energy, that includes racing. Does this mean that my dreams are coming to an end?

Lightning

Mack pulled up at the Rusteze Racing Center. Even though he was Cruz's new chauffeur, he didn't mind giving Lightning rides to wherever he needed to go. He exited the trailer to a crowd of media cars flashing their cameras as the trailer door came down.

"Lightning! How long is it going to take Cruz to recover?" one car asked.

"Yeah, will she continue to race?" another car yelled.

"Will you consider training another racer?" another one screamed.

Lightning just pushed his way through the paparazzi with a slight smile on his face. He finally made it into the building and let out a sigh of relief.

"Those paparazzi people, they drive you crazy don't they?" Tex said as he drove down the spiral ramp to meet Lightning.

"Hey Tex! Just the person I wanted to see," Lightning said with a big smile.

"As happy as I am to see you son, I can't help but think that there's somethin' serious going on behind this meetin'."

Lightning shifted his eyes down. "Yeah Tex. It's about Cruz."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. You know that she suffered from two anxiety attacks during the past few days."

"Yes I do. I sure hope she's okay."

"She's doing well. The doctor called this morning and said that he wanted to release her today."

"That's excellent news! The faster she recuperates, the sooner she can get back to racing."

"Um, that's actually what I came to talk to you about. I don't think that Cruz will be able to race this season. The doctor told me to make sure that she stays away from any activity that will cause her to use a lot of energy. I'm sorry to say this but Cruz and I will be taking this season off."

An awkward hush fell over them. Tex cleared his throat while Lightning bit his lip.

"I understand Lightning. Cruz's health is the most important thing right now. Do you want me to find you a replacement for the season?"

"Absolutely not! She already suspects that. It would break her heart and that's the last thing that I want to do to her."

"I'm sorry Lightning. Dinoco needs to keep its momentum up as a successful company. The last time we took a long hiatus was after Cal retired."

"Come on Tex. You can't replace her."

"Lightning, you have to understand. I need to sponsor someone. If no one races for Dinoco, then you both would be out of a job."

"Listen Tex, Cruz needs some time to rest. Just give her a couple of weeks to get better and I promise she would be racing in no time."

"A couple of weeks huh?"

"Yes it's only until she gets better."

Tex considered Lightning's offer. He pondered it for a minute and made his final decision: "Fine. Dinoco is off for the season," he said with a warm smile.

"Thank you so much Tex! You won't be sorry I can assure you!" Lightning exclaimed as he began to drive off.

"Oh one more thing. This is only to keep the company up and running: I'm giving Cruz 12 races off to rest. If she doesn't get better in the next few weeks, I'll have to find a replacement for the rest of the season," Tex said as Lightning headed for the door.

Lightning froze in front of the door. Only 12 races? The season has 36 races, that's not enough time.

Lightning sighed and turned around to face Tex. "Yes sir," he said as he turned to leave the building. How am I going to tell this news to Cruz?

Later that evening...

"WELCOME HOME CRUZ!" everyone shouted as all of the townies and racing legends surprised Cruz with a welcome home party at Wheel Well.

The place was covered in yellow and white balloons. A massive banner hung over the sign at the entrance of the restaurant, welcoming Cruz back to Radiator Springs. Music, fun, and family bonding filled the air as everyone was delighted to see Cruz smiling and back in her natural element.

"Good to have you back kiddo!" Louise said with a bright smile.

"Nice to see you young lady," River said.

"Take care of yourself. We really missed you," Junior chimed in.

"Happy to see you up and about. Hope you stay that way," Smokey said with a wink.

Some people even gave their own little speech about how much they appreciated and missed Cruz:

Mater:Cruz has always been the bestest racer in all of Radiator Springs, after my buddy Lightning McQueen of course. She is a joy to be around and I hope she NEVER EVER EVER has to leave again! Git-R-Done 51!

Louise: Cruz honey, ever since I met you in the Cotton Pin, I have to say that I saw greatness in you ever since. I love you darlin' and I wish you a speedy recovery so you can go kick some bummers on the race track!

Flo: It's great to have you back sugar! Always remember to slow down and catch your breath because baby, you almost gave me a heart attack when you went to that hospital! Hoo-wee! Child, get better soon!

Fillmore: Happiness as light as air. Love as deep as the ocean. Those are my wishes for you today and everyday. Get well soon man.

Luigi: You are a brilliant ball of sunshine and I must scream to the world how excited I am to have you home! Presto presto la mia ragazza! (Get well soon my girl!)

Sally: It's great to have you back hun. Stickers was a train wreck without you! I love you so much and all I wish is for you to get better and to be the amazing racer that I know you are.

Lightning: Cruz, I just want to let you know that I love you like a daughter and I want to see you get well. I know that I was a nervous wreck and was a little over protective at times, but I just want to say that it's great to have you back. To Cruz!

"To Cruz!" everyone cheered as they toasted their gas cans together in honor of Cruz.

"Cruz is there anything that you want to say?" Lightning asked as he got down from the stage. He scanned the crowd to find her, but he didn't see that bright yellow car anywhere.

"Cruz? Cruz!" he yelled as he sped out of the restaurant like a maniac.

Cruz

She felt terrible for leaving so suddenly, but she just couldn't wait to start training again. She zoomed over to Willie's Butte and made her way to the starting area. It was a quiet and breezy evening. The sun was setting over the dessert hills making the skyline a lavender, gold, and red crescendo of bright beams, which painted the sky with a breathtaking array of lights. She drove up to the starting rope which was laid out between two stacks of tires on each side. She looked at the dirt track ahead of her. She could feel her engine getting faster as she began to breathe heavy again. All she could remember was swerving off of that steep turn on the cliff and falling into the cactus patch.

No Cruz! Today is the day that you face your fear!

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She pushed her tires into the ground in the same way that Doc used to touch the road before he raced.

"Alright, focus. You are a fluffy cloud and a bright, beautiful banana babe! You can do this. Ready... Set... GO!" she said as she revved her engine. Although her mind wanted to move, her body stayed behind the starting line.

"Come on Cruz! You can do this. Alright, ready... set... OH I CAN'T DO THIS!" she said as she angrily knocked over one of the stacks of tires with her front tire.

"Oops! Okay, one more time. Ready... Set..."

"Cruz what are you doing?!" Lightning yelled from on top of the hill that was facing the track.

"Oh hey Mr. McQueen! I was just checking out the sunset. Isn't it beautiful?"

"Knock it off Cruz, I know why you're out here," he said in a stern tone.

"Please Mr. McQueen, just one lap! I promise to take it slow. Please?!" she said giving him the puppy dog eyes while biting her lip.

"No! You just got out of the hospital!"

"Yeah I know that, but I just had an anxiety attack. It's not like I had surgery or anything. My engine still works, I'm fine! Please just let me do one lap," she said as she bit her lip even harder.

"Just an anxiety attack? Do you even hear yourself?" he said as he rolled his eyes.

"Pretty please Mr. McQueen? I swear I'll never ask for anything ever again!"

"We both know that's a lie."

"Please, please, please?"

"You're not gonna stop are you?"

"Nope! Not until I drive on this track."

Lightning

He sighed as he saw the determined look in her eyes. How could he say no to such a bright face. He was always a sucker for those big brown eyes. And the lip bite? Man, he just couldn't resist. One lap huh?

"One lap?" he asked, giving her a reluctant look.

"Yes! Just one," she said as she jumped up and down.

"Fine you can take the lap. Just take it easy."

"Yes! Thank you Mr. McQueen. Will you do the honors?"

He shook his body and rolled his eyes. He couldn't believe that he fell for it again.

"Alright. On your mark... get set... GO!" he said as Cruz let out a squeal and began to drive around the track.

He watched as she came to the steep turn near the edge of the cliff. He wanted to race over there and be by her side to make sure that she doesn't fall off again. No Lightning, she needs to do this alone.

Cruz

She was about to round the cliff when a chill came over her. She veered a little to the edge, but caught her balance and drifted safely to the end of the track. She gleefully rushed to meet Lightning back at the starting line, where she saw a huge smile across his face.

"Woo-hoo! OH YEAH! I can feel it! I can feel it Mr. McQueen. I'm ready to get back out on that track and leave those next gens in the dust, especially Jackson! I can't wait to see the look on his face when I crush his hopes and dreams!"

"Whoa there hot rod, don't get too excited it was only one lap."

"But I faced my fear and it felt great!"

"I'm proud of you Cruz. You came a long way from the mopey, tear filled girl I once saw in the hospital," Lightning said as he nudged her side with his tire.

"Yeah, thanks for the lap dad!" Cruz said as her eyes widened.

Did I just call him dad? Did he even notice?

"What did you just call me?"

Oh shoot he did hear!

"Um, I said thanks for the lap Mr. McQueen. We better get back to the party before Mater eats all the cake," she said as she zoomed off on the road.

"Huh." Lightning said as he zoomed behind her.