Chapter Four

A red Jaguar, also semi-transparent, appeared next to Torque, who said, "This car says 'pear-shaped'." Axle felt he was teetering on the edge of consciousness, and Torque drifted closer to him. "Axle, Axle, breathe. You gotta breathe, bro. In and out, just like I told ya." Axle inhaled slowly and then let out the breath, feeling himself relax as the air left his body. "Good."

"I see your brother takes good care of you," Leland said.

"Not used to seeing ghosts," Axle replied. "Sorry."

"It's alright."

"We've got bigger things to deal with than your potential psychosis, anyway," Torque added.

"He's right. Montgomery's plan is almost complete, and now all of his energies are focused on trying to catch a girl named Alexa McQueen. It's in our understanding that you've already been in contact with her, which is why we're coming here. She's on her way back to her hometown for the one or two days she has before she has to leave again for the World Grand Prix."

"Which is completely safe, as it has been every year but its first."

"And which could be compromised again."

"Great," Axle said. "I'm joining a spy ring full of ghosts."

"That's the best way to do it," Torque replied with a wink.

"Anyway," Leland said, "we know that unless he has a good reason, Finn will take Alexa here at the first sign of complete disaster, and if she does arrive here, we'll know about it."

"What about that friend of hers? Alex Pacer?" Axle asked.

"It looks like she's getting some help from unusual places," Torque said, looking at Leland.

Leland nodded and looked at Axle. "The Grand Prix could again be compromised, and our wildcard Alexa is in danger no matter where she is," he said. "I guess our point is, the only thing in our power concerning this is to warn those that can do something about it."

"And watch and try to protect," Torque added.

"Those, too."

"Be careful, bro, and keep your eyes open." Torque faded into thin air, and Leland nodded before following him. Axle blinked, unsure whether he was dreaming or not. Oh, Ford, I'm going crazy for sure, he thought, shaking his head. Then he moved toward the phone and dialled a number.

CARS

"Well, Route Sixty-Six really is a beauty," Alex said. "And you live here. Wow."

Radiator Springs appeared on the horizon. "We're almost there," Lexie replied.

"I guess the important question now is whether you want me to go on the plane with you or take a separate ride."

"Well, that depends on your objective and whether our plane is overbooked."

"The objective is basically to make sure those sportscar goons don't come after you. Whether your plane's overbooked or not, I'm not sure, but if it is, I can always call up my granduncle and hitch a ride on the copter and follow you."

"Well, maybe you should talk to my dad."

"Talk to me about what?" Lightning asked behind them.

"Some flight arrangements," Alex said, drifting back. "My boss wants me to watch after your daughter, so I think I'm gonna need to know a few things before the Grand Prix starts."

"Okay, what do you need to know?"

Lexie sped up slightly to give the two cars a little space. Fillmore and Sarge were arguing for the sake of it, and Luigi and Guido were discussing something having to do with Ferarris and tires. Lexie scanned the desert as they approached Radiator Springs, and everything seemed quiet.

"Hey, y'all, look who's back," Flo shouted, jerking Lexie's attention back toward Radiator Springs. The rest of the remaining residents rushed out of their businesses and lined Route Sixty-Six, and even a few tourists joined the commotion.

Lightning was pulled away from Alex by the crowd of residents and tourists, and he said, "We'll talk later, okay?"

"Fine by me," Alex replied, drifting over to Lexie's side.

"Sorry if I made you nervous," she said.

"That's okay. I guess in your position you can't afford to have anybody keeping secrets from me, either."

"Yeah, I guess so."

"Your dad's gonna let me fly with you guys, if he can, logistically speaking."

Lexie smiled, feeling her face warm slightly. Maybe Mater was on to something, she thought. "That's good for your job, I guess."

"Very."

She glanced in his direction, and he looked down at the asphalt. "While we're here, maybe we can go for a cruise."

"Okay." She glanced at him again, and he seemed like he was going to explode with glee. She smiled inwardly and gestured for him to follow her. The two drove down Route Sixty-Six, and Alex slipped in behind Lexie, his eyes drifting over the desert scenery. Lexie sped up slightly, and then they drove through a tunnel.

She rounded a bend, closing her eyes as the mist of the waterfall touched her side panels. She looked over at Alex, who stared at her and only came to his senses when he almost struck the guard rail. She chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Watch where you're driving, Alex," she called. "You can gawk at me later."

"Yeah, right," he replied through nervous laughter. "Safe driving comes first. Always. So, where're we going?"

"Just cruising. I don't know where we'll end up. You're not gonna break down or anything, are you?"

"I guess that's the funny thing about engine replacement. I can't remember the last time I broke down."

"Maybe if we find time, we'll get Mater to look at your engine. I'm kind of curious, but I'm fairly certain I'm right."

"Right about what?"

"Right about you having an engine like mine."

Alex looked out into the valley below as they followed the winding Mother Road past the Wheel Well and through another tunnel. The sunset colored the desert starkly, and Lexie pulled into the nearest lookout point. Alex pulled in beside her. "Are we there yet?" he asked.

"Yeah, we are," she replied.

His eyes drifted the scene below him. "Whoa," he whispered.

"Pretty cool, ain't it?"

"Very cool."

Lexie settled in and gave Alex a sidelong glance. The fading sunlight made his aquamarine color look more like a light violet, and it brought his scars into sharper relief. "Did it hurt?"

"Huh?"

"Did the infection hurt?"

"Yeah, sort of, until I lost feeling in my front wheels."

"Do you remember where you got the infection?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't remember a lot from before I got it."

Lexie nodded in understanding and stared off into space. After a moment, she said, "Maybe we should head back. It's getting late."

"Yeah, good idea."

The two wound their way back down Route Sixty-Six toward Radiator Springs.

CARS

Axle took a deep breath and rolled forward. The light of the sunset made this stretch of road look gloomier than he was used to. He swallowed in an effort to still the butterflies in his gas tank, and a form in the shadows made him stop. He knew there was no turning back now, and he said, "I know we don't have the best history, but thanks for coming, anyway."

"No problem," Shorts replied, rolling into the beam of a streetlight.

"I can't tell you how I know or why I can't tell you how I know, but basically, some bad shit's gonna go down at the Grand Prix, and it has to do with Montgomery and that Alexa girl." Shorts' eyes widened. "Look, that's all I know, okay? Don't ask me for stuff I can't tell you."

"I won't. You told me all I need to know, and more." Shorts rolled forward and held his tire out. After a moment, Axle shook it.