Here's chapter 12. I noticed I made a few spelling mistakes in previous chapters, especially in regard to Holley's name. I went back and fixed them so that her name should be 'Holley' throughout the whole story.


Trekking through mud and rough terrain in a wet drizzle was definitely not what Tex was built for, but Doc had to give him credit for not complaining. Smokey had of course taken point, being the most sturdy of the four cars and also the one who knew the area the best. Sheriff had initially taken up the rear, but had eventually joined Smokey in the front in order to discuss what exactly their plan was. He could see by the look on Doc's face that the retired racer really wasn't in the mood to talk, but after half an hour of trekking in silence, Doc's worry was starting to gnaw at him. He might need someone to talk to after all.

Sally would be so proud of him for not keeping it all 'boxed in' or whatever the heck she usually went on about.

As the small path they were trekking on eventually widened up enough, Doc slid back next to Texan who, although he was wet and his tires were covered with covered, still had a determined look on his face.

"You really care a lot about your racer, don't you?" Doc ground out. Sally wouldn't be proud of him for that, but he wasn't about to apologize for getting straight to the point.

"Of course I do," Tex looked at the Hudson Hornet as if he had grown an extra tire. "What a funny question."

"Come on, Dinoco," The Texan's attitude was beginning to get at Doc. What angle was this billionaire playing at? What profit was he going to loose by having Weathers gone? "Most sponsors don't care whose racing for them, so long as they're winning. And most sponsors certainly don't trek through mud to get their racers back."

"I'm not most sponsors," Tex quipped back. Normally, Doc would retaliate with a quip of his own, but he just wasn't in the mood.

"What is Weathers to you?" He forced out. That was what he really wanted to know. Why did this billionaire care so much? Why wasn't he like all of the other heartless sponsors Doc had seen during his days on the track, and still saw sometimes.

Tex shot Doc a sidelong glance as he picked his way over a bumpy root. He wasn't going to get far with this racer by avoiding the very obvious question. Best to spit out the answer.

"Being a billionaire doesn't leave much room for family," he said in a painfully honest tone. "The Weathers family adopted me into theirs and I sure ain't gonna let that go for anything."

"They adopted you?" Doc was pleased at finally getting an honest answer, but a little surprised by Tex's response.

"Sure did," Tex replied, focusing on the road in front of him, especially where Sheriff placed his tires. "I might be the sponsor, but that's no reason for them to really be concerned about me. They're some of the few cars out there who know me for more than just my fortune."

Doc listened in silence.

"They're good folks who really care... And they really care about me, and not just cause I'm the head of Dinoco enterprises. And I care for them as well. And no money can ever repay what I owe them."

There, Tex had said it. Doc wanted the honest answer, he could have it. Tex knew the car would be discrete, and he appreciated that. Doc nodded by way of thanks for the honest answer.

"Guess family just sorta takes you in," he commented, remembering his friends at Radiator Springs.

"That's about right," Tex replied. "And I know what you're thinking and you're correct... I can afford to send an army out here."

Doc wasn't really surprised that Tex had almost read his thoughts.

"But even if I thought it would be of any use, I'd be right out here with them," Tex finished.

"Cause families are stupid that way," Doc elaborated.

"Exactly," Tex said with a small grin. "That's exactly why we're out here."

And by we Doc knew Tex meant all four of them. They were out here risking their tires for family and nothing would stop them.

Man.

And he had called the kid a hot-head.


It was around 6 pm by the time the four cars had reached the compound. They found it at a corner and saw an ugly gray wall about 10 feet tall looming above them. Smokey was surprised at the size of the structure, and figured it must have taken at least a year to build.

"This place is too big to keep two prisoners in," Sheriff said quietly. Smokey nodded and glanced back at the other two cars.

"We may have stumbled onto something bigger," he said grimly. Why couldn't his town just be left alone in peace?

"You think?" Doc ground out. Smokey shot him a small glare for his sarcasm and peaked out around the corner of the compound. He could just see the main road between the trees. Two Ford Raptors were stationed behind the trees, undoubtedly to check on anyone that might be passing. It was a good thing they hadn't traveled that way, even if it had taken a little bit longer with Tex. Who knew how many other guards they had stationed.

Daring to peek out just a little bit further, Smokey saw the newly laid asphalt road leading towards the ugly compound. A thick gate separated them from inside. Smokey's eyes narrowed as he saw signs of heavy traffic on the road and he pulled back.

"There are two guards by the turnoff connecting the compound to the main one," he stated. "And there's definitely been some rigs travelling down here. Roads barely been laid but it's gonna tear apart soon."

"Right," Sheriff stated. "I think our best bet is to wait here where we can hear any activity. The gate is out of the question."

"We could always just knock and ask for directions," Tex suggested to lighten the mode.

"Or we can look for the back door that old car mentioned." Doc was not in the mode for silliness.

"No, we should all stay together," Sheriff protested. "Let's move under the cover of the trees and just wait to see what happens."

"And if a helicopter comes?" Doc half-snapped. "Watching won't do us any good if they move the Hot Rod."

"It won't do your rookie any good if you get yourself caught as well," Smokey cut in gently but sternly. He knew exactly how Hud felt. He had felt much the same when Hud was recovering after his crash. It was the uncertainty which was the worst of it all. Except when Hud was recovering he was in plain sight. Lightning's location was unknown, and so was his condition. Looking at Hud's eyes now, Smokey could see a hint of desperation. McQueen could be right at the other side of the walls, and the Hudson Hornet just needed to see him. To know without a doubt that the kid was alright.

"Why don't we do a bit of scouting?" Tex suggested. "Could be there's a back entrance that we should keep an eye on anyway."

Sheriff was about to agree when an alarm sounded inside the compound. The four cars raced back to the cover of the trees and waited, barely daring to breath. Several engines, some small and some powerful were heard in what Smokey assumed was the courtyard of the compound. Muffled voices were heard and it sounded like someone was screeching over a loud speaker.

"Sounds like a meeting," Sheriff said quietly.

"Now's our chance" Doc glanced to the back of the compound.

"Hud, no," Smokey tried to protest but Doc was already turning sharply left. Worry twisted in the old crew chief's engine.

"I'll go with him, make sure nothing happens."

And Tex was off behind Doc as well.

"Hot-head," Smokey ground out.

"Best for us to stay together," Sheriff said. "Let's see if we can hear what they're saying."

He was about to creep forward when static over his radio caught his attention.

"Sheriff..." a voice crackled to life. "Come in, Sheriff."

"It's Sarge," he whispered to Smokey. "Go and see what you can hear. I'll keep an eye on you from here."

Smokey nodded and drove quietly towards the wall, pressing his side against it to try and hear what was being said. He remembered Sheriff saying that Sarge was an old war buddy from town, and hoped that back up had arrived.

"Sarge, this is Sheriff," the car activated his radio. "Where are you now?"

"Thomasville," Sarge replied. "Marshall wants to know... many cars there are."

The signal wasn't the strongest.

"There are two guarding the turnoff from the main road," Sheriff replied. "They're not carrying weapons that I can see, but there is the possibility of concealed carry."

"Roger ... at," Sheriff could practically hear Sarge nodding. "Marshall says we ... -uld make our way along ... main road. Some of ... other cars here sa-... they'll trek through ... woods the same ... -ay you came."

"Whatever he thinks is best," Sheriff said. "But this place is pretty fortified. I don't want to have a hostage situation. Best to move our players into place."

"Copy ... at," Sarge agreed. "We'll head towards ... -ur position."

"We'll keep you posted," Sheriff agreed. "Keep an eye out for a helicopter. That's what our suspect said they'd be moving McQueen in."

Sarge agreed and the radio went quiet. Making sure that the coast was clear Sheriff crept next to Smokey. The pick-up truck was listening intently through the wall, only catching every other word or so.

"There's two of them," he commented. "A car that thinks he's in charge and that Monroe fella."

Sheriff nodded and kept a look out as Smokey listened. Part of him wanted to check on Doc and Tex but splitting up from Smokey now would be foolish so he'd just have to hope his stubborn friend didn't do anything stupid.


Doc found the door soon enough. It was a random feature at the back of the compound and he vaguely wondered if it was some kind of trap. Looking into the woods he could definitely see some damage had done to the underbrush but he couldn't tell what kind of car it was. Tex was right behind him and Doc honestly didn't mind being alone or not, but he supposed it was better if the group of four was split up into teams of two, so when he opened the door he made sure the billionaire was following him. Tex nudged the door closed before following Doc down the hallways. He didn't know tires as well as the veteran racer but he could see a whole lot of wear and tear on the floor.

"I think we may have stumbled onto something bigger than a carnapping," he murmured quietly.

Doc didn't reply, too focused on looking for any signs of Lightning. He stopped suddenly as he heard voices, and Tex followed suite. Doc listened intently and was confused to hear... Darrell Cartrip? The familiar tv show host laughed and it took Doc a moment to realize that it was an interview. The Hudson Hornet crept forward and glanced into a dimly lit room. It took Doc's eyes a while to adjust to the light of the television but when they did he could make out a counter and what appeared to be a bar of some kind. A half finished drink was still on the counter. Doc entered the room with Tex following and examined the floor. Most of what he could see was unintelligible scuff marks but one pair skid marks caught his attention.

"Lightyears," he said quietly to himself. Racing tires. "Does Weathers still wear his racing tires?" He asked Tex, who was examining the oil can.

"No, can't say he does," Tex replied, but his voice was distracted.

"Lightning was here," Doc said quietly, looking around for any other clues. A chip or paint or any sign of red.

"We got ourselves another problem," Tex stated, gaining Doc's attention. At the Hornet's quizzical glance Tex nodded towards the oil can. "This here ain't moonshine. It's imported all the way from Italy. Extremely hard to buy and even more expensive."

"What does that mean?" Doc asked.

"That someone with a fortune to rival mine is funding this," Tex replied grimly. "And I haven't got the slightest idea who that could be."

"Could that be who took Strip?" Doc asked. Tex shook his head.

"I don't have those sorts of enemies with that much cash," he stated and Doc knew he was being honest. He was about to reply when he heard the sounds of a chopper above him. Lightning was the first thought that came into his mind. The chopper flew right over them and then the sound faded away.

"They might be waiting for their chance to land," Tex said as soon as it was safe to talk. "Rain makes it harder to get a clear landing."

"Smokey and Sheriff will keep an eye of it," Doc thought out loud. "We'd best keeping looking in here."

"That might not be the best idea," Tex said. At Doc's gaze he nodded to the television. "Camera. There's a chance someone's watching."

Doc nodded and the two slipped out. Tex hoped to goodness that no one had been watching the security feed, if the camera was even rolling. But better safe than sorry he supposed.


Sheriff and Smokey had ducked for cover when they heard the chopper.

"That must be the one they're going to pick Lightning up in," the Sheriff said worriedly.

"We have some time," Smokey said grimly. "I heard them say they still have some clearin' up to do. Apparently the haulers will be here by midnight to 'move the merchandise'."

"Sarge better get here soon," Sheriff wouldn't deny that he wouldn't worried. "With whatever back up he bought."

They watched as the helicopter took another lap around the compound. Time was running out.