Notes: I don't own Cars and in fact own no character in this story. It's all Pixar baby! This was suppose to be a one shot... But this worked it's way into my brain. Sheriff can be sneaky to!
"Hello Sheriff Carson. This is the office of Doctor Hudson in reference to your appointment next Wednesday, the twenty second of this month. I am afraid I am going to have to cancel that appointment as something I didn't expect has come up. However Friday the seventeenth of this week is open. Therefore I will see you Friday at one. Don't be late Sheriff."
Even as he heard it Sheriff had to admit... Doc was good... He had indeed canceled the appointment as he said he would... Then given him an appointment that was actually sooner... Was only in two days as a matter of fact...
Well if he thought that he was going to get away with that little technicality he was dearly mistaken. Two could play at this game...
"Oh it's on now..."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It was absolutely amazing how much dust and junk could build up in only a month's time... It was only a month ago Lightning had helped Doc clean out his garage and now it looked as if it hadn't seen a dust mop in a year...
He let out a soft cough as dust managed to work its way into his air filters, the ageing car backing up out of his garage into the cleaner air of the street for a moment, a good shake given. Dust flew off his cobalt hide like a billowing cloud, the car taking a moment to shake like a dog trying to rid himself of water. He truly did hate cleaning... It was a reason it kept getting so bad in there. He kept his living space clean. His clinic was as spotless, organized and sterile as any hospital and his office and small living quarters was kept clean if not a little cluttered... But this garage... It got ahead of him so quickly.
Because he didn't really have a reason to enter the garage much it also tended to collect junk. Nothing at first... A spare box of parts here... A few boxes of old text books he didn't need anymore but didn't want to throw out there... Before he knew it the boxes where staking up there. He had managed to catch it before they outnumbered him this time. But the time he and Lightning had gotten in there and cleaned it out had been insane...
He sneezed again, a forlorn look at the dust clouds billowing out discouraging him from trying again for the moment. He let out a sigh and silently gazed past the dust to the clock on the wall. Eleven thirty... Perfect. Just enough time to grab a can of oil from Flo's then go set up at the clinic for Sheriff's appointment.
The old car chuckled softly to himself as he gave a good stretch, letting his engine fire to life and started down the street. He loved this time of year. The jump in town activity was nice but he loved the small town life. The streets where empty but for the few vehicles that lived and worked here... More than had been last year but still not enough to be considered over populated by a long shot.
Doc was lost in thought on his way down main street, his mind drifting to much that he was a bit startled when sirens wailed out behind him. He instantly pulled to a stop, and turned around, concern crossing his features as he spotted Sheriff coming up. He expected him to move on past. But to his surprise it was him Sheriff was pulling over, his features set in that firm business appearance.
"Something wrong Sheriff?" Doc questioned, unable to come up for the life of him why he was being pulled over. Was something wrong? Had Sheriff been looking for him?
"Yes there is Doc. You just ran a red light." That hadn't been even in the realm of possibilities in Doc's mind. This time of year Sheriff switched the town's lone traffic light from a working light to a yield. And while he hadn't paid much attention to it he certainly had yielded.
"What are you talking about Sheriff? That light isn't red-" He abruptly cut himself off as he glanced back to check the light. Sure enough... It was a standing red light...
"Alright Sheriff... What's this all about and why is that a working traffic light?"
"Because there's been an increase in traffic this week. You of all cars are expected to uphold the law. You have an example to set." Sheriff stated firmly, seeming to be building himself up to a full lecture.
Sheriff sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. "Alright Sheriff... Write me out a ticket and we'll both be on our way." Though to his surprise Sheriff smiled and shook his grill.
"Oh no... That was a very serious offence."
"Damn it Sheriff I don't have time for this!" Doc snapped, his irritation beginning to rise a bit in the situation. Unfortunately as soon as it was out of his mouth he realized he was playing into Sheriff's hand. He had just taken the bait hook and all.
Sheriff tsked quietly. "And now you're being belligerent with an officer. I'm sorry I have to do this Doc."
"Do what..." Doc questioned, eyes narrowed in suspicion. He didn't like the way this was going...
"You're under arrest." Sheriff stated simply, a boot flipped out from where he had been hiding it and clapped onto Doc's front tire before Doc could so much as complain. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you at interrogation time and at court. Do you understand the rights I have just given you?"
"Sheriff I don't know what you're playing at but get this thing off of me and knock it off." Doc snapped, though he knew it was only spiring on the situation...
"Sorry Doc. I can't do that." Sheriff stated simply. "Mater! Tow this delinquent road hazzard to the impound yard!"
"Yes sir Sheriff" Mater offered cheerfully, the tow truck having become more of a deputy these days than a tow truck. He almost skipped from his place at the café beside Lightning across the street to where Doc was parked. Doc shot the tow truck a glare, that same glare shot in the direction of his own little peanut gallery including Lightning and Sally who where about to fall off their wheels they where fighting so hard to keep from laughing. Other than them the only ones on the street where Flo and Red, both of whom where softly snickering.
"Mater I don't need-" His response was bit back with a yelp of surprise as Mater snagged his rear axil with his tow cable and lifted him off the ground, the tow truck happily driving off, Doc forced to hop a bit to keep from being drug.
"Dang it Sheriff! I'll show you belligerent! Just wait until I get my tires on you!" Doc yelled as Mater towed him to the impound yard and dropped him off.
"Sorry Doc. I wish I could stand here and argue with you about the penalties of traffic laws... But I have a doctor's appointment to get to so it will have to wait. I really do hope my doctor doesn't forget where he's suppose to be." Sheriff quipped with a grin as soon as the gait had slid closed in Doc's face.
The look of shock written across the cobalt car's features brought a snicker from Sheriff as he hurried down the street towards the clinic.
Why that little... Doc couldn't even finish the thought as he glared down the street.
He growled to himself silently casting his gaze upward. For the first time he noticed a sheet of paper that had been taped to the inside of the chain link gait that separated him from the outside world. In Sheriff's chicken scratch writing was simply the word... Gotcha...
Sheriff's entire plan unraveled itself in Doc's mind. Sheriff would keep him in here for a few hours, long enough so that the appointment would be officially missed. Not by Sheriff but by Doc...
This all had to do with that dang appointment...
A slow smile played across Doc's grill as he gazed down the street to his office. Two could play at this game. Even from here he could almost hear Sheriff still laughing. Not for long...
"Of course you realize... This means war..." He muttered softly.