As it turned out, Doc didn't have to sue Doctor Verte. The Hudson Hornet never would have guessed that he would be grateful to a band of vultures, but they had just made his task a heck of a lot easier. It took less than a day for the news anchors that had visited radiator springs to release their footage of Lightning's return. When Doc had turned on the television the next morning (the one that Lightning had given to him right after his old radio had mysteriously disappeared), the first thing he saw was the video footage of McQueen barrelling across the racetrack, covered in flames. Doc's eyes were glued to the screen. It had been much worse up close of course, the panic that had engulfed him had since calmed down and Lightning was safe asleep in the spare room that he had claimed as his. But still, just seeing it happen all over again… As he watched himself charge up to Lightning and call for Red, the resident fire truck, who sped over to douse the sports car with a long blast from his hose, he couldn't help but shudder. It could have all ended so differently…If Red hadn't put out the fire in time, the flames could have made it to Lightning's gas tank, causing an explosion for sure. As it was, Lightning had truly been lucky. Of course none of this nonsense would have happened at all if Dr. Verte hadn't dismissed him. Speaking of which-
"While McQueen's physician was not available for comment yesterday, our reporters have confirmed that Dr. Ian Verte had released Lightning the morning this footage was taken, and had given him a clean bill of health. The state medical board is reviewing the case as we speak, and there is a definite possibility that the doctor could face repercussions for his hasty actions."
"Humph. Seems like we're finally getting some justice around here" a voice said from the doorway. Doc didn't bother to turn around as Sherriff approached. Instead he glared menacingly at the picture of Dr. Verte that had appeared on screen. "If that quack-wanna-be doesn't lose his practicing licence over this, I'll have to deal with him myself" Doc growled. Sherriff nudged hid friend's side gently. "Don't waste your energy on him. Verte will get what's commin' to him, nobody needs an angry old coot to stir up trouble." Doc practically pushed Sherriff out of the way in anger as he distances himself from the T.V. "How can I just stand by and wait for these clowns to make a case against him? He could get off Scott-free after all he's done!" Sherriff shrugged. "Maybe he will, maybe he won't. We've both seen our fair share of guilty people get away without facing any consequences. But what happens to that numbskull shouldn't be your concern. You've got your own numbskull right here to worry about". Sherriff looked pointedly down the hall where he knew Lightning was fast asleep.
Doc followed his gaze, and once again the images of Lightning covered in flames flickered through his mind. "I almost lost him…."Doc said quietly. "First at the Piston cup, and then yesterday…" Sherriff nodded. "Yes, almost. But he's safe now, and it won't be long before he's back on his tires causing as much mischief as he possibly can. You can't keep thinking about what could have happened, or else you'll never give the rookie any room to grow." Doc looked away for a moment. "I do want him to grow. Lightning has the potential to be the best race-car the world has ever seen. But-" Doc stopped suddenly and looked behind him, making sure that the hallway was empty before continuing. "I don't know how much more the kid can handle. When he's out there on the track he gets so reckless…and I just can't protect him." Doc gave a frustrated sigh. "He's lucky that he's still running after this last month."
"Yes, he is lucky." Sherriff said sternly. "Lucky that he has a mentor willing to stand by him after his career appeared to go up in smoke. You realize that if it weren't for you, McQueen wouldn't have fought so hard to get back on the track. That half-wit agent of his was ready to give up on him after one week in the garage, and Lightning was ready to believe him. If you hadn't been by his side everyday urging him on, I doubt that he would have made the recovery that he did." Doc's eyes narrowed at the mention of Lightning's agent. The last time they had spoken had done nothing to improve Doc's opinion of him. Lightning hadn't been in touch with Harve since that day, not because Doc discouraged it, but because Harve hadn't bothered to check up on Lightning during his recovery.
"Well why not?" "Because he's being torn apart and put back together piece by piece!" Doc yelled angrily into the phone. "Leave the press out of this. The last thing McQueen needs right now is a hoard of cameras and microphones shoved in his face!" Doc could hear Harve sigh impatiently on the other line. "Look, if you want McQueen to race again, he needs to keep the public interested. I'm not suggesting that he do a full interview; just give them a chance to take a few pictures of the invalid! Let them see how much he's suffering, and they'll love him all the more when he comes back for the rematch!" "Rematch!?" Doc was practically spitting with anger now. "We're not even sure if he'll be able to drive again! Even that flashy Doctor you shoved at him has doubts!" Doc attempted to lower his voice. Lightning was in the room down the hall, and it wouldn't do the kid any good to hear how worried he was. "Look Harve, if you want to bring the circus in, it'll have to wait a few weeks. There's no way McQueen will be ready to face them before he's had a chance to recover." Harve sounded horrified. "Weeks? There's no way that I can hold his image up that long. Hudson, if that's how much time it'll take, you need the media to follow his stay in the hospital. He'll be as outdated as you if they don't!"Doc ignored the insult. "That's a risk we'll have to take. No press, Harve, that's my final word on the matter." And with that Doc ended the call, and didn't spend another minute thinking about the agent until they left the hospital.
"Doc," Sherriff pulled him out of his reverie, "you have been protecting him. And you can't leave him to go hunting after some idiot doctor. Your boy needs you here."
"Doc, I don't need you here every moment of the day! Seriously, go out to Flo's with Sherriff or something, I'll be fine!" Lightning urged as Doc checked to make sure that the wheel Luigi and Guido had just bolted in place was secure. It had been a week since "The Incident", and Doc had been slowly getting Lightning back into shape. He had refrained from putting on his wheels until he was certain that Lightning wouldn't burst into flames again. Lightning had whined about not being able to move every day, but his complaints were falling on deaf ears. Doc wasn't taking any chances.
"Mmm Hmm. Try to rotate your front axle for me." Doc said, eyes focused on his work. Lightning gave an impatient sigh and did as he was asked. "I'm serious! I promise I won't get into any trouble, I won't even leave the clinic!" Doc moved around to check Lightning's back tires. "Last time you made me a promise like that, you nearly melted," Doc observed dryly. "I'm sure you'll forgive my skepticism. Rear axle, kid."
Lightning groaned loudly, but once again complied. "Please, Doc?" he begged. "I really don't need a babysitter, and you haven't left the clinic for more than a few minutes since we've arrived! Just have a night to yourself, and I'll just stay in and watch T.V or something!" Lightning tried to give Doc a reassuring smile, but it quickly disappeared when Doc tapped his tires soundly with his own. "Feel any stiffness there?" Lightning choked out as Doc applied more pressure to his tire. "Just a little" Lightning panted, using all of his willpower to stay put and not dash to the other side of the room, away from Doc and his torture.
Doc finally released Lightning's tire and pressed the button on the ground that lowered the platform Lightning had been raised on. "Hmm. And this newfound need for independence wouldn't have anything to do with Sally's return from Los Angeles, would it?" Doc said with a smirk. Lightning gave an embarrassed cough and tried to look nonchalant. "Oh, was that today? Never noticed. But since you mentioned it, Doc, maybe it would be nice to have a visitor in the prison cell. So what do you say, Warden?"
Doc chuckled. "I say try out your wheels first. Then we'll see about visiting hours." Lightning tentatively began rolling forward, providing a noticeable contrast to the 50 meter dash he had attempted to run at Dr. Verte's clinic. Doc figured his caution was less due to common sense than for his own sake; Doc had promised Lightning earlier that if he overdid it, then he would just take away his tires again. Lightning kept a steady pace, performing wide turns for Doc and driving in reverse as well. Finally Doc suggested that they go for a test drive outside.
Lightning's eyes lit up, but he curbed his enthusiasm just enough so that Doc only noticed a slight increase in speed as they drove over to the "new" road that Lightning had paved himself. Though it had been over a year since its creation, the townspeople still insisted on calling it "new", possibly because it was one of the biggest changes to ever happen to Radiator Springs. Right next to Lightning's arrival of course.
"Hey Hotrod! Good to see you out and about!" Sherriff called as he drove past Lightning and Doc. It was a rare day indeed that the Sherriff ever passed Lightning on the road, but Doc made sure that the race car stayed under 10mph, slowing his cruise to a crawl. They drove all the way to Flo's diner before Doc was finally satisfied. "All right, Rookie, not bad. How's your motor holding up?"
"Perfect, and the gears aren't sticking when I shift anymore either. I feel great, Doc!" Lightning was practically beaming, obviously proud of himself and all of his progress. Doc gave Lightning a grin. "Well in that case, I believe there's a nice young lady inside the diner who's waiting for some hotshot to buy her a quart of oil. Interested?" Lightning's engine revved in surprise. "She's already here?! How long has she been waiting for me? Should I run through the car wash?" Rolling his eyes at Lightning's panic, Doc simply pushed him through the door towards the counter where Sally was waiting. "Hey there Stickers!" Sally said with a smile, driving up to the pair and giving Lightning a kiss on the cheek. "I heard you got into some trouble while I was away?" Lightning gave a nervous laugh. "Trouble? Me? Never!" Quickly clearing his throat, he ordered 2 quarts of oil and found a table for the couple.
"Make sure you have the boy home by 8:00 Sally," Doc warned with a wink as he left the diner. Still chuckling at the mortified look on Lightning's face, Doc drove back to the clinic. Though he was not the most patient patient, Lightning was making a decent recovery, and would suffer no long term effects. Doc was confident that he was now running properly, and just needed to build up his speed and stamina back to their former level.
Just as Doc was turning the lights on, the phone rang. Praying that it wasn't another request from the press to have an interview with Lightning, Doc grudgingly answered.
"Hello, you've reached the Radiator Springs Clinic, Doctor Hudson speaking."
"Hello Hudson. Just calling to check up on your boy Lightning. He left in such a rush last week". The voice at the other end was oozing sarcasm.
Doc's eyes narrowed dangerously. "What the hell do you want, Dr. Verte?"he growled.