Disclaimer: All recognisable characters belong to Pixar. All OCs belong to me.

Chapter 2

Later that evening, Doc and Elinor joined the rest of the Radiator Springs residents at the café. Flo was bustling around as usual, serving all her friends. She paused in front of Lightning.

"Are you sure I can't get you anything to eat, honey?"

"No thanks, Flo."

"Still not hungry, son?" Doc asked, parking beside the race car.

Lightning shook his hood.

"He's been very thirsty though," Flo told Doc, before driving over to attend to Luigi and Guido.

Doc glanced over at Lightning. The young race car was starting to pant, which was very strange, since it was winter, and he looked distressed.

"Come with me, son," Doc ordered him.

Lightning was only too happy to oblige. A moment later, they entered the clinic. Doc promptly took Lightning's temperature again.

"Ninety-nine point eight," he said, reading the thermometer. "I think you should go to bed now. I'll put your air-conditioning down to sixty-four degrees. That should help bring your temperature down."

"But I'm already cold," Lightning whimpered, shivering slightly. "It is winter, remember?"

Doc continued frowning. "You have a fever. That's why you're cold. You'll feel hot again soon. I'll stay here inside the house, so if you need me, just shout." He set the air conditioning before leaving Lightning's bedroom.

Lightning spent a very restless night. Doc checked up on him several times during the night, taking his temperature twice.

Finally, shortly after dawn, Lightning's fever broke, and he drifted off into a very peaceful sleep. Doc took the opportunity to go and get some breakfast. He wasn't too tired, since he was used to staying up all night with patients, but he was still very concerned about Lightning.

After he'd had some breakfast, Doc went into his study. He was starting to think that Lightning might be suffering from an illness due to a low immune system. He knew that elite athletes often suffered from immune illnesses, so it was just possible that that was what Lightning had.

But after searching through his books and online for a couple of hours, Doc finally gave up. He couldn't find any illnesses with the same symptoms Lightning was showing. He'd have to leave it for now, because he had other sick and injured cars to attend to.

Around lunch time, Elinor brought Doc something to eat.

"Thank you, dear," he said, smiling appreciatively. "How's Lightning?"

"He's still fast asleep. Sometimes I feel sad that I never got to actually raise him. Gracie had that privilege."

"You don't regret having him built, do you?"

"No, of course, not! But, Blaze and I only wanted a child to inherit our wealth; not a child to love. We just never expected that Lightning wouldn't want to follow in his father's tyre-prints. I'm sorry. I shouldn't talk about Blaze in front of you."

"It's perfectly all right. You loved him, and to me that is important. Blaze died a tragic death that should never have happened. You have nothing to be ashamed of by talking about him to me."

Elinor smiled and nodded. "Are you sure you don't know what's wrong with Lightning?"

"I'm afraid he's got me completely stumped," Doc sighed. "I've never come across anything like this before."

"Maybe you should seek a second opinion. I know doctors hate asking other doctors for advice, but surely it's worth it when our son's health is at risk?"

"As a matter of fact, I was already considering doing that. I'm going to visit a friend of mine later this afternoon. I should be back before dinnertime."

…

A few hours later, Doc arrived in a nearby township; about a half hour's drive from Radiator Springs. The doctor there was an old friend of his, Doctor Greg Knowles. He was rather surprised to see Doc.

"Doc Hudson! It's been a while since I last saw you. What brings you here today?"

"My step-son is ill, but I can't diagnose what is wrong with him. That's why I've come to see you."

"Well, if you can't diagnose it, I'm not sure if I can. What are the symptoms?"

"He's refusing to eat, but he's drinking a lot. He also had a bad fever last night, but it broke this morning."

"I see. Anything else?"

"Uh, let me think. Yes…he snapped at his best friend yesterday; something he wouldn't normally do. Even when he's annoyed with Mater, he manages to restrain himself and discuss things calmly with him. He's also lost interest in practicing his racing."

"For Lightning McQueen, that's very serious."

"You can understand the sensitivity of the situation."

"Of course. I know this is a silly question, but have you tested him for a virus or infection?"

Doc nodded. "All negative."

"I see. Well, from the list of symptoms you've given me, I wonder if he just might be in pain somewhere. Has he had any crashes lately?"

"No. At least, not that I know of. But everything else about him is completely normal. I'd say he's as fit and healthy as ever, expect that he won't eat."

"Is he sleeping normally?"

"I believe so. But you know how young adults are."

"Yes… Up late and sleep late."

There was silence for a moment while Dr Greg thought through everything. Then he spoke again.

"I wouldn't rule out the pain factor just yet. Why don't you ask him straight out if he's hurting somewhere. It doesn't have to even be physical pain. It could be emotional, and it might be affecting his sleep. I'd monitor that closely too."

"Okay. Thank you. I'll let you know if he gets any worse. I might need your help."

…

Upon returning to Radiator Springs, Doc went in search of Lightning. He was surprised to find him down at Willy's Butte, doing some laps. Doc signalled for him to stop.

"I thought I told you not to practice," Doc growled once Lightning had skidded to a stop in front of him.

"I'm feeling fine now, Doc," Lightning insisted.

Doc gave Lightning a hard push from behind. "I'll be the judge of that! You need to rest after having a fever."

Lightning defiantly spun around to face Doc. "I told you, I'm fine now!"

"Lightning Blaze McQueen!" Doc shouted, pushing himself up on his shocks a bit so he could look down at his stepson. Lightning cringed sheepishly, knowing he was in for it now. Now that he had Lightning's attention, Doc lowered himself down again, but he maintained eye contact with Lightning. He let out a sigh. "Tell me the truth, son. Are you in pain anywhere?"

"No," Lightning answered without hesitating.

Doc nodded thoughtfully. He knew that Lightning was telling him the truth. "Get back to town."

Sighing heavily, Lightning begrudgingly obeyed.