DISCLAIMER: I do not own the film "Cars." "Cars" is owned by Disney and Pixar Studios. However, the new characters in this fic are own by me. Remember that now.
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Chapter 4: Checking out, Settling in
VROOOM!
The Cherokee's engine roared, the noise reverberating off the walls of the operating room. Sweet, Crimson thought to himself. With the new axles, shocks, suspension, and now the revamped engine, he felt like a new car, even though the dents and cracked windows on his body said otherwise. God, this feels good, the young gas-guzzler groaned to himself, feeling his body vibrate with the engine.
"Okay son, that's enough," Doc said loudly over the noise. Crimson turned off his engine.
"Well, you sound a 100 better," Lightning commented.
"I feel like it, too." Crimson groaned as he stretched his suspension. "I feel like I could... take on the world." The red stock car and the Porsche in front of him chuckled at his remark.
"Well, don't think about attempting that yet," the blue Hudson Hornet told him. "You still need to rest a little while before you get back on the road. Maybe take a drive around Radiator Springs to break in your suspension system." Doc paused, looking over the exterior damage on Crimson. "Get a paint job and some new tires and windows, too."
"Yes, I will, Dr. Hudson," Crimson said. "I'll do all that before I leave." The Jeep turned to Sally and Lightning. "Now, what cone was that again?"
"Number five," Sally answered. "It's the best one we got. Just come by after you check out of here and I'll give you the key.
"Okay guys, I need you to leave; I got to finish some stuff on Crimson," Doc told the couple, ushering them out of the room. The two cars said their good-byes to the SUV and left.
"Okay Crimson, get on the lift," Doc told the young Jeep as he fired up some other equipment. Crimson rolled onto it, and soon he was up in the air, totally unaware of what was to happen next.
"So, what's the last thing you need to do?" he asked.
"I need to make sure your engine is tuned correctly, so you don't give off too much exhaust," Doc said.
The young Jeep obviously had forgotten how this was done. "And how do you do that-"
Suddenly, Crimson felt something shoved into his tailpipe, which he reacted to with a high-pitched howl.
----
At the cafe, most of the residents of Radiator Springs were sitting around, drinking gas and chatting amongst each other, when a high-pitched shriek interrupted their conversations. They stopped and looked around searching for the source of the noise.
"What was that?" Sarge asked.
"That sounded like the Sheriff the time he tried to jump over a boulder and landed on his pumpkin," Mater remarked.
----
"You could've warned me!" Crimson squeaked.
"Oh hush; this is normal operating procedure, son," Doc said, his ears ringing from the shriek. "Now, turn your engine on and rev it."
He got no response. "Crimson, turn your engine on and rev it."
The Jeep squealed in a horrified voice, "I forgot how!"
Good lord, Doc's conscience moaned.
----
In a short time, Sally and Lightning headed back to the clinic to pick up and escort Crimson to the motel. The Jeep seemed more than eager to get out that place; why, the two cars didn't know. All they know is the Jeep did not once look the Hornet in the eye as he rushed out and mumbled a thank-you. Following him out into the street, Lightning asked, "What was that all about?"
"Nothing!" The Jeep nervously yelped.
Lightning glanced at Sally inquisitively, then decided not to ask any further. Besides, he had a pretty good idea why the 4x4 was so jumpy; the racer had a similar reaction to his first physical when he was young.
"Hey, Alpines," Roger greeted as he pulled up alongside Crimson.
"Hi Deputy."
"I see you're not wobbling as much as you used to," the police cruiser said. "How's the axles?"
"They're good. I love the suspension, though," the Cherokee commented as he bounced up and down on his front wheels.
"Well, I sure can tell the difference. I didn't realize how tall you were," the sedan remarked, glancing up at the Jeep towering over him.
Crimson chuckled at the cruiser. "So, you out on duty?"
"Yeah," Roger answered. "Me and the other deputy are heading out to the speed trap outside of town. We've been getting reports that some of our resident tuner cars have been drag racing out there."
"Hmm. Hope you catch 'em."
A look of determination in his eyes, the young police car snickered, "Oh, I will. See you later Crimson." The cruiser sped off.
Crimson looked down the street, checking out the sights: The House of Body Art, the V8 cafe, Luigi's tire shop, the Radiator Springs Curios Shop, Mater's place, and the numerous garages surrounding the area. The city car smiled, feeling a sense of calmness and warmth.
Lightning broke the silence between the three cars. "So, what do you think? Not much, but it's home to us."
"It's a nice town," Crimson commented, looking down main street.
"It is," Sally said. She stopped and turned around, waving a wheel toward the town hall. "Uh, right behind you is Town Hall; it's also the police station and fire station. The statue is of the town founder Stanley."
Crimson turned around to look at the old brick building and statue, noticing a red fire truck watering flowers next to the statue. "The fire truck's name is Red," Sally added.
At hearing his name, Red looked up in the direction of Sally's voice and saw the two cars and the beat-up Jeep. "Hey buddy," Crimson said to the fire truck as he waved a tire at him. Red, shy as ever, turned back quickly to the flowers, ignoring the stranger.
The Jeep frowned and turned to the Porsche. "What's his problem?"
"Oh, he's just a little shy, that's all," Sally answered as the three continued down the street.
"He'll warm up to you," Lightning said. "How about a drink? I'll buy."
"That sounds good, Mr. McQueen."
Lightning chuckled softly at the Jeep's response. "Crimson, just call me Lightning, okay?"
The three cars drove over to the cafe. Crimson immediately recognized three of the vehicles parked in the drive in: Flo, Mater, and Ramone, who now was sporting a forest green paint job with white-and-orange flames. The other two cars were a mellow old VW Bus, painted with peace signs and a rainbow, and a stern-looking WWII-era Jeep. Mater looked over at the Cherokee. "Hi Crimson!"
"Hi Mater. Hey Ramone; nice paint job."
"Thanks, man," the Impala replied.
"When did you get out of Doc's?" Flo asked as she started his pump, as well as Sally's and Lightning's.
"Oh, just now."
"How you feeling, soldier?" the military Jeep asked.
"I feel better, sir."
"Well, that's good to know."
"Yeah man," the VW bus drawled. "Everyone around here thought you were, like, a goner."
"Yes," the old Jeep added, "The only other time I've seen damage that bad was in Korea."
"Crimson, this is Sarge and Fillmore," Sally introduced the two cars. "Sarge runs the Surplus Hut and the SUV boot camp, and Fillmore runs the organic fuel stand."
"Yeah man. You ever try organic fuel?"
"Please Fillmore, the kid just cheated death," Sarge snapped at the VW. "That stuff would probably kill him."
"Oh, you say that all the time, man," Fillmore said to Sarge.
Mater interrupted the soon-to-be argument between the two cars. "Hey Crimson, I just thought I ought to warn you. Luigi is looking for you."
A look of dread crossed the Cherokee's eyes. "Oh lord; he's gonna try to sell me on those white-walls again."
Always the optimist, the rusty tow truck laughed heartily and said, "Naw, he won't."
As if on cue, a familiar Italian voice barked, "Mr. Alpines!" Crimson yelped in surprise of the Fiat in front of him. "I see you are out of Doc's clinic. Are you ready for your new tires?"
"If you're going to sell me the right tires, yes," Crimson answered, a tinge of annoyance in his voice. Luigi, however, didn't notice.
"Oh good, good!" The yellow import bounced up and down in happiness. "I tell you, the tires I got will make you shine like a star. The women will think you are the Michael Schumaucher Ferrari of the SUVs!" The Jeep rolled his eyes at the import's obvious bumper-kissing. "They will draw attention to you like you're a 'babe-magnet.'"
"Well, that sounds nice," Crimson said cautiously, faking a smile and waiting for the other tire to drop. "What exactly are these tires?"
Luigi turned and shouted, "Guido! Bring Mr. Alpine's tires!" The Forklift arrived, carrying four tires under a cloth. "Well, as first I thought white-walls, but then I realized I have better tires for you!"
Crimson breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, he thought.
"I present to you..." The import pulled the cover off the tires, revealing four street racer-style racing tires with rims. "Lightyear Racer-Xs!"
Crimson paused, a blank stare on his face as he looked at the small tires. "Dude, those are racing tires."
"So?"
"SO? Luigi, those things won't support my body weight! They're too small," The teenage Jeep cried out in frustration.
"Oh nonsense," Luigi said. "Guido!"
The forklift, despite Crimson's protests, put on the two front tires. And the change was quite noticeable; the Cherokee resembled a funny car. He wobbled a little, trying to keep his balance on the two under-sized tires. "I look like an idiot," he said distastefully.
"Nonsense! You look wonderful! Just wait until I put on the other two," the import laughed. "Drive out a little and see what you think."
Crimson sighed in defeat, hit the release for the gas pump, and slowly rolled out about a foot...
BOOM!
The patrons of the cafe yelped as the tires blew up, proceeded by the clanging of the rims hitting the pavement. Expecting a "I-Told-You-So" from the young Jeep, they waited in silence. Crimson, however, just sat on his rims for a moment, looking slightly miffed. "Guido, please put my other tires back on before I do something to your buddy that I might regret," he calmly said.
The forklift's eyes widen at the threat, and quickly jacked up the SUV, switched out the tires and sped off with the Fiat. He sighed in frustration. "I'm never going to leave this place on new tires, am I?" he asked to no one in particular.
"If Luigi keeps that up, more 'n likely," Mater answered.
"So, I take it that as soon as you get fixed up, you'll be leaving?" Sarge asked as he sipped out of an oil container.
"Actually, I think I'll be staying for a while," Crimson replied. "I need some money, so I figured I could get a job here."
The other cars perked up at the mention of this. It's been a while since they've had a young car stay in Radiator Springs for more than a few days (usually, it was Lightning's fans waiting for autographs). The only other young/teenage cars in the small town were Roger and Allen, as well as the trouble-making tuner cars who made it home (much to the Sheriff's displeasure) after a brief stint of community service.
"Well heck son, you can work for me," Sarge said enthusiastically. "I need someone to watch the store while I'm out at the boot camp. Pretty simple work; restock the shelves, man the counter, mop the floors, maintenance, that kind of stuff. I pay minimum wage and you get an hour for lunch."
"Sounds good. When do I start?"
"Tomorrow morning at six," the veteran said. "Be there on time, Alpines."
"I will, sir."
"MATER!" a voice called out. Crimson turned to see an old Mercury Police Cruiser pull up. The tow truck thought he was in trouble.
"Uh-oh," Mater mumble before he defensively responded, "Sheriff, I swear, I did not let the tractors out again!"
"No, you're not in trouble" the old cruiser explained. "Grab two boots and follow me. The deputies caught that DJ kid racing a pick-up truck at the speed trap. Truck was going 105 before he stopped!"
"Daggum! Must think he's in NASTRUCK or somethin'. I'm on my way." Mater hit the release for the pump and turned to Flo. "Uh, put this on my tab; I'll pay tonight."
"Okay Mater. Take care," the show car called out as Mater and the Sheriff sped off.
105? Crimson mused, the few good memories of dirt drags coming back to him. Man, I got to meet that guy.
----
"What a view."
Crimson sat out in the field beyond Radiator Springs, watching the sunset. It had been a while since the teenager had really seen a sunset. And the unique landscape of Carburetor County only added to the experience. It reminded him of times where he would drive up to the Rocky Mountains on family camping trips and watch the sun set through the mountains.
Family, his conscience whispered. The young Jeep let out a sigh and slumped on his suspension.
"Hi Crimson."
"Hi Ms. Carrera," he said back to the Porsche, not looking back at the four approaching cars. Sally and Mater pulled up along one side of the battered Cherokee, and Lightning and Doc pulled up on the other side. He glanced at the other cars. "Hey Lightning, Mater. Doctor."
"How do you feel?" Doc asked.
"Hmm, better than before," he quipped. Doc chuckled quietly before gazing at the sunset with the rest of the group.
Crimson broke the silence. "Man, I envy you guys. I could never have seen a better sunset in Denver. Too much pollution; makes the sun look purple."
The other cars laughed softly. "Yep, it's a real beauty shot," Mater added before the group fell back into a short silence.
"So Crimson, it's getting late," Sally commented. "You know, you're going to be getting up at six tomorrow."
"Yeah, I should probably head to bed," he sighed as he turned around and headed to the Cozy Cone, the others trailing behind him. Sally lead him to the number five cone and opened the door for him.
"Now, do you need anything else? Some unleaded, anything?" the Porsche asked.
"No ma'am, I'm fine," Crimson replied as he backed into the cone-shaped building. "You people have done... more than enough for me."
The cars exchanged "good-nights" and the young Jeep closed his door. Mater and Doc left shortly after, leaving Sally and Lightning alone.
"You staying here tonight?" Lightning asked.
"No, I think he'll be okay," Sally answered. "Besides, I'm not that far away."
The two cars started to drive down the street towards their garage, Sally leaning against the red stock car lovingly. "You ever think about kids?"
A look of surprise and fear swept across Lightning's face. "W-Why do you ask?"
"Oh, no reason. I've just been thinking about the last few days and us taking care of Crimson."
Lightning smiled and and breathed a sigh of relief. "...I don't know. Sometimes I do." His smile turned into a faint frown. "But I'm pretty sure our kid wouldn't be like Crimson. With our genes, he would probably be more like... them," he said, motioning to Boost, Wingo, and Snot Rod, hanging out in the drive-in of the cafe.
"Yeah, that'd be a nightmare," Sally said as the two cars pulled into their garage for the night.