The nurse walked into Lightning's room with the doctor. He needed to check up on the racer. "Ugh…" He huffed. The machine beeping constantly. "His BP keeps dropping… His oxygen is still to low…His pulse won't go up.." he sighed and thought a moment. Staring at the racer. Lightning's lips were discolored at this point and his hands and legs were swelling.. He nodded and made the call. "Start him on oxygen therapy and push meds to spike his BP.. Order a scan. Make sure the swelling isn't from a blood clot." leaving the room. The nurse getting to work….

Everyone sat in the waiting room for what felt like hours. The doctor walked in and said, "McQueen?" Sally rushed over with everyone else eagerly listening in their seats. The doctor began, "His oxygen kept dropping. So I'm starting him on something we call oxygen therapy while I try to find the problem. His blood pressure keeps dropping so I'm going to try to spike it and see if he can make it stick." "Why was there blood coming from his mouth?.." Sally asked softly. The doctor sighed before explaining, "A piece of the windshield or screen of the helmet had lodged into his lungs. His lung had collapsed during surgery. Stitching things up, blood got in and he was"-"He was drowning?…" Sally asked.

The doctor replying, "Sort of. It's alright. I fixed that. So I'm gonna keep him and start the therapy and see how he does next." Sarge then asking, "What if that doesn't work?" The doctor sighed then explained, "Well.. I need to talk to Lightning's proxy." "That's me." Sally answered. The doctor sighed and hesitated with this but it had to be done. "So.. We found a directive on file.." Mater asking, "What's that?" Sally turning and answering, "It's so if you're in a situation such as Lightning's, someone else can make your medical decisions."

The doctor nodded then explained, "Right, well… The name and number and signature on file… Isn't yours.." Sally's brows lowered as she snapped! "What?! Who the hell else would Lightning have on a directive!?" The man sighed answering, "Um.. Chad Rick McQueen. I spoke to him a little while ago. Said he's on his way. So.. Should be here soon. And I'll be able to discuss treatment with him."

Sally was pissed! "What the hell!? I'm his wife! I get to make those decisions!" The doctor sighed, "I'm sorry. But Lightning signed it. Chad will be making his medical decisions.. I'm sorry.." then walked away out of the room. Sally was absolutely furious! Chad!? Why the hell would Lightning do that!?….

Sally opened her eyes. She rubbed them. Realizing he had accidentally fell asleep! She panicked and looked at the clock. "Oh..". she mumbled. It had only been about an hour. She sighed and sat in the chair. Feeling sick to her stomach. Last night was the worst day of her life and now.. Lightning was fighting for his life! Just yesterday they were preparing for a dam race and now… Sally's eyes filled with tears again. Her heart racing. She needed him. She needed him right now!

A different doctor walked in. Sally glanced at him. This time, she didn't bother getting up. She just sat there. Depressed and tired. Sick.. Just completely exhausted. The man walked in more and asked, "McQueen?.." Sally stood up and looked at him with such heart ache. She just quietly asked "Is he okay?…" The man walked up to Sally and answered, "I'm taking over for the other doctor for now. It's nice to meet you. I assure you, your husband is in good hands here. So… Lightning's blood pressure, pulse and oxygen continue to drop.. It's getting dangerously low.. I'm going to make the call and get him put on life support before any serious damage can occur." "Life support? Like?… The things with the tubes and machines keeping him alive and wires and such?.." Sally asked with a whimper.

The doctor nodded. Sally began crying hard all over again. He was dying so badly that he needed a machine to keep him alive!? The doctor sighed, "I'm sorry.. I know it's not the news you wanted.. But I'm going to do everything I can. I'm going to do my best to get him back to you…" Sally just nodded. Crying. The doctor then smiled and added, "Thing is. Once I have him situated in the ICU, two people at a time can visit. But they have to be family for now. So I'd say in about another hour, you can finally be with him." Sally's crying slowed. She nodded as she wiped her eyes and nose on her arm. Dusty walked over and handed Sally another tissue. The doctor patted Sally on the back then left….

Filmore walked up to Sally and said, "Some of us are going to head to the cafeteria for some food. You should come." He suggested. Sally wiped her eyes and shook her head, "No.. No, I'm going to wait for Lightning." Filmore glanced over at the rest of the gang. Luigi then added, "McQueen would want you to eat." "I'm not hungry." Sally replied. Luigi sighed. Sally was falling into a depression. What could they do for her? Sarge then said, "We'll bring you something. Come on guys." And the crew left. Rusty and Dusty stayed behind with her though. Waiting to hear any other news about their racer….

A nurse walked in sometime later. She walked up to Sally and said, "Mam… We got your husband in ICU. He's stable and ready if you'd like to visit him." Sally sat up and wiped her eyes before asking, "Can you give me a minute?.." The nurse nodded and replied, "Of course. Just head to the south wing, follow the signs that read ICU and go through the check then they will direct you to his room." She smiled. Sally nodded and thanked the nurse. Rusty and Dusty glanced at each other. The nurse left and Sally stood up. "I need some air.." She muttered. Then walked out of the waiting room. Down the hall. Alone. She stepped into the elevator and down for the bottom floor. Walking outside. She stared out into the parking lot. Letting out a sigh. The wind blowing. The sun was out.

"It's Sally!" Someone shouted. Sally turned towards the voice to see a few cameras flashing and mics suddenly being pushed at her. "What's McQueen's condition!?""Willheberacinagain?!""DoesMcQueenplantoretirenow!?""Howwillhecomebackfromthis!?"Istherebraindamage!?""DoesMcQueenrememberthecrash!?"

Sally's breathing became faster! Her heart racing. She couldn't catch her breath! She couldn't understand a single thing these lunatics were asking!? Suddenly she felt someone grab her shoulder and pull her back into the hospital. Where hospital security didn't allow the press inside! Sally panted heavily then looked behind her to see Dusty. He smiled and said, "No worries, we got your back." Rusty nodding in agreement. Sally's breathing returned to normal. Her eyes filling with tears. Those people were horrible! He just wrecked yesterday!

Sally turned to Rusty and cried, "I can't do this.. I can't look at Lightning like that!? With tubes down his throat!? Knowing he's dying and the only thing keeping him alive is a dam machine!? I can't… I can't do this…" her breathing picking up again. Rusty grabbed Sally by the shoulders and looked her in the eyes, "Yea, you can. Lightning needs you. You mean the world to that man." Dusty then adding, "That kid talks about you all the time! He loves you and he needs you." Sally wiped her eyes and asked, "You really think I can do this?…" Rusty nodding saying, "We know you can." Sally took a deep breath. Frowning. Her heart hurt so much. So she nodded. Taking that first step to walk into the ICU and be brave enough to face this….

Sally walked into the check in. They made sure she had no weapons. Then she was given the room number and she made her way through the hall. Nervous. Sick… Scared… She made it to his room and stared into the window. But it was covered by the privacy curtain. She took a deep breath. Then entered the room. Closing the door softly behind her. She stared at him from across the room. The fan like sound of the machine filled the room. Her eyes filled with tears at the sight before her. She covered her mouth to keep from screaming. Leaning on the door. She began crying hard. Crying a type of cry that was so painful it was killing her stomach!

Breaking her apart! Ripping her lungs out of her chest, making her dizzy. Sally slid down to the floor. There he was. Barely alive. Sally cried hard. Barely able to breathe! Seeing Lightning laying in bed. His eyes wrapped, straps tying his wrist down to the bed rails, Iv lines in his arms and hand, a tube down his throat, stickers with wires on them on his head and coming out from the gown from his chest. Tape and a wrap around his jaw keeping the tube in his mouth. Sally couldn't breathe. Sitting and crying on the floor.

Wishing all of this was a dam dream! Wishing that she some how convinced him to quit before this happened! She didn't think he would crash! Not like this! Sally's heart racing, her blood on fire, crying so hard against that door. This was a different type of hurt. This hurt more than anything she had ever felt. Dry heaving, her body trying to puke but there was nothing to puke and shaking violently from her nerves! Snot and tears and pain from dehydration… This was going to kill her or she'd kill herself! How could she do this!? How could she get through this!?

How is that yesterday they were talking and getting ready for a race and the night before they were in bed. Like any other night!? Last week they were laughing and making love like they had a million chances to do it over and over again!? She could not do this!? She could not do this alone! Sally wasn't going to be able to survive this! If Lightning didn't make it, she wouldn't either! Sally cried violently… Not even able to make it any closer to her love….

Bbbzzzz.. Sally's phone went off. She was laying in the cold floor near the door. Still unable to get any closer to Lightning. She was too afraid to face this. She glanced at her phone. Meg texted her.

Meg

WE'RE IN THE WAITING ROOM! Please come see us when you can!

Sally shut off the screen of her phone and sat up. She sighed and stared at Lightning. The tubes.. The wires, the lines… Sally wiped her eyes and stood up. Staring at him. "Don't die…" She whispered. Then left the room….

Sally walked into the waiting room where the pit crew, Rusty, Dusty and now Cal and Meg were. Meg ran to Sally and hugged her friend! Sally just began crying all over again! Crying hard over Meg's shoulder. Cal felt sick at the sight. This had to be bad if this was the shape Sally was in! Meg held Sally close and tightly. Letting her cry it out. Not saying a word for a while. Just holding Sally tightly. Being the supportive friend she was to her. Cal walked up and rubbed Sally over her back. Letting her know he was here with no words. Mater sniffled. The crew trying to hold it together for Sally. Rusty looked at his brother. Decisions were going to have to be made soon about Rusteze after this.

Sally pulled away and wiped her eyes. Meg wiped Sally's face too. Sally turned to Cal and hugged him. "Thanks for coming.." she said. Cal hugged Sally tightly. His eyes tearing up too. The thought they might have lost Lightning last night was breaking their hearts. Meg then asked, "How is he?…" Sally sighed and pulled away from Cal before answering, "They put him on life support. He wouldn't make it without it.. His body was trying to shut down multiple times.. He just.. He doesn't even look like Lightning.." her eyes swollen and red.

Filmore then let the former racer and Meg know, "She hasn't ate or drank anything.." Cal and Meg looked at Sally. Lightning had wrecked on the 19th a little after 7pm. It was about 2:30pm and the 20th. "Sally…" Meg whimpered. Mater then walked up and handed Sally a biscuit. Sally wiped her eyes and thanked her friend. Cal saying, "You need to eat. And stay hydrated. Lightning wouldn't want you to make yourself sick over this." "I know… I just can't.." Sally replied in a whimper. Wiping the tears that just kept coming. But they were starting to burn her eyes. Meg pulled Sally close again. Holding her as she lost it again, dropping the biscuit as her arms went limp. Cal sighed. This was bad. Like really bad….

Hours went by. Thankfully, Cal and Meg finally got Sally to eat a small salad. Barely. And drink some water. Nearing 5. Sally finally stepped aside and pulled up her Dad's name on the phone. Stepping outside the waiting room on the hall. She pressed the call button. It rang.. Not even a full ring.

Sally, baby… I saw the news. What do you need?

"Dad…" she began crying. "Daddy… He's on life support and I can't do this. I can't, I can't, I don't want to do this!…"

I'm on my way. I'll be there in a little bit. Is he in ICU?

"Yes!…" Crying so hard into the phone.

Alright, are they letting you stay?

"I haven't even asked.. I can't even walk up to him. It's bad!… I can't do this! Please.. Please help me!.."

I'm on my way! I'm grabbing my keys right now. You're gonna be okay. I'm getting in the car right now, Sally.

"It hurts! It hurts so much, Dad!… Please make this stop!…"

…..

"Please…."

I'm on my way, Baby.. I'll be there in a moment. Let me get off the phone to drive. I'll be there. I'm coming.

"Please don't stop anywhere. Please come.. I need you! It hurts!…"

I am coming right now. I'm backing out. I'll be there in a moment. I love you. Let me get off here so I can drive. I'll be there. I promise.

"Please…"

I promise. I'm coming…..

Carson hugged his daughter tightly as she cried into his arms. Begging him to make this pain go away! Pleading into his arms. Carson's eyes teared up. He and Lightning may have had differences, but Lightning loved his daughter and he took care of her and Sally needed him. Carson brushed his daughter's hair and held her close. Letting her cry and plead in his arms. She was broken beyond broken. Breaking Carson's heart as she begged him to stop her pains. He would. But he couldn't. He wished he could though….

Rusty and Dusty came up to Sally. Rusty quietly saying, "Hey…" grabbing her attention, "My brother and I are heading out. We'll come by again. Call us if anything changes, alright?" Carson replied for her with, "We will." Rusty and Dusty smiled at the man then left. They cousins stay in the hospital like this.

Cal and Meg then came up and announced they were going to stay in a motel near by and would come back tomorrow. The pit crew soon doing the same. Mater reluctantly leaving with them after giving Sally a hug. It was only Carson and Sally left in the waiting room. It was getting late. Carson then asked, "Where are you staying?" Sally wiped her eyes and played with the bottle of water Meg and Cal got her. She shrugged saying, "I wanted to stay with Lightning…"

Carson sighed, "You could always come home. I'll bring you back first thing in the morning. I don't think they'll let you stay here in the ICU with him…" Sally began crying again. Carson pulled his daughter close. Sitting in the waiting room. "I'll find out if they will.. If not, come home. You don't need to be alone right now." He softly said to his daughter. Sally nodded. Carson got up and left her alone just long enough to go to the front desk and ask if they let family stay with patients in ICU…

Carson returned. Sally stood up and asked, "Will they let me stay?" Carson frowned and shook his head. Sally fell back into the chair and began to cry. "What if he dies while I'm gone?.. What if I'm not there!?" Crying hard again but tears could barely fall because she was so dehydrated. Carson sat next to Sally and had to give her more bad news, "ICU visitation hours closes at seven… Opens at seven thirty tomorrow. Do you want to see him one more time tonight?" Sally's head was pounding with a headache.

She sighed answering, "It's hard to look at him, Dad… I can't do this.." "I'll go with you. I'm his family too." He reminded with a smile. Sally wiped her eyes and thought about it for a moment. She nodded and asked, "Please.. I don't want to go alone again.." Whimpering and whining. Carson nodded and hugged his daughter….

The two made it to the room. Honestly, Carson felt sick to his stomach. It would be hard seeing Lightning in this condition. And he didn't know just how bad it was yet. He opened the door. Sally walking in first, then Carson. He closed the door and they stared at the racer. This was painful. Carson watched Sally make her way slowly to the end of the bed. Staring at Lightning. She glanced at her Father then back to her husband. Tears gathering in her eyes. She slowly came around the side of the bed.

Glancing at the machines all around him. It was painfully quiet in the room. Sally began to reach for Lightning's hair. She stopped a moment then placed her hand on his head. Brushing his messy hair a little with her fingers. She sniffled and brushed his hair. It was a mess. She sniffled. Touching his hair. Staring at the tubes down his throat, the wrap around his eyes. "I love you…" She whimpered. "I'll be back tomorrow…" She cried. Wiping her eyes. Carson pulled a chair up next to Sally so she could sit while he stood in the corner. Just being there with her. With him. Carson had never felt this pain before. Watching his little girl suffer and he couldn't do a thing about it. This was different hurt for him too.

Sally sat by Lightning's side until a nurse came and told them they were closing up the ICU. Carson helped his daughter up as she began crying all over again. She couldn't take the heart break of leaving Lightning behind. All the what ifs in her mind…. And the car ride back to Carson's was dreadful. Painful. Sally was exhausted. Her heart was broken apart….

Sally walked into the home. Carson turned on the lights and hugged his daughter. "He will be okay. He won't die on life support… He will be there in the morning. Waiting for you. I'll take you there first thing they are opened." He assured. Sally nodded. Sniffling into her Father's chest. Carson brushed her hair and held her for a few minutes before taking her to bed. Helping her gather some things and get ready for bed. She couldn't sleep there though. So Sally and Carson wound up sitting on the couch together. Watching tv. Staying up late in the morning….

i know this one was shorter. But it just suited it better for the next chapter. I know I know. It's rough what's coming. But I'm glad to write more detail here and through Lightnings healing and training with Cruz. It will be good I think. But yea.. We got to make it though this and Sally's affair first. Which I feel like now I can really do better fixing and refining the chapters that come into play when Lightning finds out. Because after how good they were doing and starting a family. Man this is going to hurt him!. I'm so sorry! But love u guys!