Carson woke up on the couch. Rubbing his eyes. He looked over to see Sally asleep on him. He sighed. Careful not to wake her as he sat there. She needed the sleep. Carson hated this for his daughter. No daughter, no wife should have to go through this. And if Lightning didn't make it… Sally was going to fall into a depression like no one had ever seen. Carson knew. He went through it when Suzan died. He just prayed that Lightning would make it.

Sally opened her eyes slowly. Looking over to see she was leaning on her Father. Carson smiled, "Morning." She didn't say anything. She just sat up and yawned. Her eyes were still all puffy from crying so much. "What time is it?…" She asked. Carson glanced at his phone before answering, "Eight fifteen." Sally's eyes widened. "I need to see Lightning!" Carson nodded, "I'll take you as soon as you eat and shower." "Take me now!" "At least eat." "I'll eat there." "I don't believe you." Carson growled.

Sally's eyes filled with tears again already. "Dad…" "Nope. You need to eat. Then I'll take you. Your friends called and they are there." "Which friends?" Sally asked, wiping her eyes. Carson answering, "Cal and Meg." Sally frowned. She wanted to be there. First thing in the morning. "You have to take care of yourself through this, Sally. You eat and I'll take you. A shower will help too." Carson reminded. Sally sighed and nodded. Giving in and agreeing to eat before going….

Sally sat in the room next to Lightning.Her Father stayed with her for a while, but then gave the couple some alone time. No change. Nothing had changed. Lightning was still on life support. It was the 21st now. Sally placed her hand over his. Rubbing his bruised knuckles. "I love you.." She whimpered. Staring at his face. The tube in his throat. She sighed. Just resting her hand over his. Tears gathering in her eyes. "Please.. Fight, Lightning. Please come back from this.. Please…" She begged quietly. "I.. I still need you. We were trying to start our family." She reminded. Frowning. "I can't do that alone. I need you…" She rubbed her fingers over his hand. Sally sniffled. Sitting with him for a while before taking a break and heading down to the waiting room….

Sally walked into the private waiting area to find Bobby speaking with Cal. Jesse walked over and hugged Sally tightly. Sally wrapping her arms around her friend. Jesse asking, "How is he?…" Sally wiped her eyes. "No change. Still on life support." She answered. Bobby walked over and wrapped an arm around his wife then said, "He's going to make it. He's Lightning." Cal nodding with a smile and adding, "He's the strongest racer out there." Sally sniffled and wiped her remaining tears. Jesse then snarled, "The press outside sure made it difficult getting in."

Cal adding, "No kidding. They need to back off." Meg adding, "They just want the dirt. They don't actually care." Bobby crossed his arms and asked, "Have you spoken with them?" To Sally. Sally shook her head with a frown. What would she even say? Meg saying, "Good. Don't. They don't need to know anything right now." Sally looked at her friends and admitted, "I'm… I'm scared he won't make it… " Meg took Sally's hands in hers and assured, "You are not alone, Sally. So many people are supporting you and Lightning through this." Bobby smiling adding, "Yeah, we will be here too." Sally smiled a little and thanked her friends. She couldn't have asked for better ones.

Bobby then asked, "When can we see him?" Sally shrugged answering, "Right now it's family only." Bobby sighed. He was stressing out about that. Sally then asked him, "Why didn't you tell us?" Bobby stared a moment. Not sure what she meant. But it clicked. He frowned before answering, "I didn't know how to tell you or Lightning… My sponsor just… I don't know… Said it was a better risk to take letting me go now rather than after the cup…" Jesse wrapped her hands around Bobby's arm. Just being there and supportive. Cal frowned. It hurt.

Suddenly the door opened and everyone stared at the man who walked in. Sally turned and her brows lowered. "You…" She growled. The President of the sport. The man smiled and asked, "How's our racer doing? Haven't heard anything. Which is weird, because surely you made a statement by now, Sally." Sally snapped! "If you hadn't have made up so many rules! Took him off his meds and pushed him!? You made him wreck!" She shouted. The president glared and snarled, "No. I didn't do anything. I can't help it that Lightning lost his grip." Cal stepped forward to say something, but Meg stopped him.

Sally only argued, "When I get done with you, you'll be lucky to own a fucking racing tire!" The president crossed his arms and defended, "You can't touch me, honey. Can't blame the rules. They are the rules." "But maybe if he had a better car and wasn't so pressured!" "He lost his grip. It's simple as that. He knew his cars limits. He pushed it. Not me. You are not putting this on me." He growled, "Try it, sweetie. It will quickly turn into McQueen getting on drugs that weren't approved." Cal then had enough snapped, "You know what!? I've had enough! You've done a lot of dirty things to us racers!" "And you can't do anything about it on the track." The President snarled.

Bobby then got up in the man's face and threatened. "Thing is, we aren't on the track no more and we aren't exactly your racers anymore either." The president became nervous. Cal stepping up and adding, "That's right. We're not. And I know my name is a lot more bigger than yours in the sport.." The president smiled nervously replying, "Now, now boys. Let's not act like this. I'm just here to check on Lightning." Bobby glared. Ready to punch this mother fucker out cold for how he spoke to Sally. Sally then said, "He's not doing good. It's bad…" The president and everyone stared at her.

Carson then stepped up and said, "He's recovering. And that's all you need to know.." as he was getting a real bad feeling from this guy. The president nodded. Cal then said, "You better get." Bobby popping his knuckles with a devious smile on his face. The president nervously saw that then nodded and left. Leaving it at that for now…

Sally sat in the chair next to Lightning. She stared at him. Watching the machine breathe for him. She sighed and sniffled. She didn't quite understand this. But if the doctors said he needed it, he needed it. Carson sat across the room. Reading a book. Glancing at his daughter and son in law from time to time. Carson finally asking, "Does his Mother know?" Sally looked at her Father before answering, "Yeah.. They are on their way down." Carson raised a brow. "Their?" He asked. Sally nodding, "His Mother and Chad, his brother…." That made Sally think about the directive. Why would Lightning not have her as his proxy? That hurt. That hurt a lot.

Carson closed his book and took off his reading glasses before asking, "Were things getting better?…" Sally stared a moment before nodding. Biting her lip to keep the tears back as she admitted, "His depression was finally better… We were connecting again and trying again." "Wait, what?" "We were trying for a baby, Dad. Lightning was supportive. He was coming with me to appointments… He was there for the negative test.. He was trying to do better. We were trying to do better and then this?" She questioned as tears filled her eyes. "It's not fair.." she whimpered. Beginning to cry all over again. Carson sighed and walked over.

Kneeling down in front of his daughter and taking her hand. "Breathe. You can do this…" he coaxed. Sally wiped her eyes. Calming down. "Lightning is going to need you when he wakes up… He's going to be in bad shape.. You need to take care of you in this, baby.. Pick up that beautiful face and smile. It's going to be okay. And look at me, even if it's not… It will be. This pain won't last. No matter what happens here." He assured. Sally just cried more. Carson sighed. "I didn't think I'd ever be okay after your Mother died. But look… I'm happy. I've watched you and Lightning grow up together… I'm proud of you. Proud of him… If I have learned anything from this kid, it's that he is a fighter. When he wants something, he doesn't stop. Not until he has it. And I truly believe he is in there fighting to come back to you right now. And he's going to find a way, alright?"

He gently caressed his daughter's face. Smiling up at her. Tears in his eyes. Sally wiped her eyes and asked, "Why are you crying?.." Carson glanced at Lightning before answering, "Well for one, I'm your Dad. It hurts seeing you in this much pain.. Secondly, and I'd never tell him this, but I think of him like a son to me. I kind of got attached to the kid too." Sally smiled a little hearing that. "There's that smile." He said. "I'm sure Lightning needs to see that too." Carson added. Sally nodded and wiped her eyes. Carson sighed. Staring at Lightning. Praying this kid made it back to his Sally….

The following day, Cal, Meg, Bobby, Jesse and Sally went down for breakfast in the cafeteria. Carson stayed behind with Lightning. Watching over him for Sally while reading his book he brought along….

Meg sipped her drink. Cal then announcing, "Tomorrow is thanksgiving. What are you doing, Sally? You are very welcome to come spend the day with us. My aunt Linda makes a great casserole." He bragged. Sally smiled a little answering, "Thanks, but no thanks… I'm going to stay here. Besides, Chad and Minty should be here soon. Lightning's family.. I should be here with them." Bobby nodded and all of them were very understanding. Cal then saying, "So I think we all are heading out after we eat here. We have plans with family and such.. But you call if you need us." He assured. Jesse adding, "Anything at all, baby." Sally nodded and thanked all of her friends. Just hoping soon they could see Lightning to….

Carson quietly walked into the room. Glancing at Lightning then seeing Sally passed out in the chair next to him. Her hand laying over his. Carson sighed and walked in. Taking a seat in the other chair across from the bed. Staring at the couple. His eyes teared up. Just seeing his daughter have to go through this was killing him. Carson took a deep breath. Trying to think of how to help. He could only imagine what sort of break down would happen once Minty saw Lightning. Her child in this condition. Carson leaned on his knees. For the first time in a long time. He closed his eyes and silently prayed. Praying over his daughter and her husband. Praying that the kid would make it. That Lightning would pull through for Sally's sake. For Minty and his siblings. Begging God not to take him. Not yet….

It was the 23rd of November now. Sally glanced at the clock in the room. The machines beeping every now and then. She sighed. Brushing Lightning's hair. "Come on, Stickers… Come back.. Please.." She whimpered quietly. A nurse walked in and checked on the status of his vitals. She smiled then asked Sally, "Do you need anything?" Sally shook her head. So the nurse left. Sally stared at Lightning. Her heart breaking every time she did. "Please…" She cried. Tears gathering again. Nearly four days sense his accident now. This was horrible. Four days without speaking to him, without feeling his touch. Being left like this. "You better be fighting." She scolded softly. Sniffling and wiping her eyes.

Then a knock on the door. The doctor walked in. Sally looked at him with such begging eyes. Begging the man to save her husband. The doctor walked over to the end of the bed and smiled as he announced, "Good news. His vitals are back up. I think he's stabilized now. I'm turning off the machines and taking him off life support." Sally jumped up in shock! "Really!?" The man nodded. Sally looked at Lightning! Yes! He was fighting to come back! "When?" She asked.

The doctor shrugged answering, "As soon as now. I will ask you to leave the room while we remove everything. I'm gonna have a nurse sit with him for about thirty minutes with the machine off. If he's good, I'll remove all this." Sally nodded then leaned down and kissed Lightning's forehead before asking, "Does that mean he will wake up?" The doctor nodded answering, "He should." Smiling. Sally's heart lifted! The relief! This was going to be over soon! Sally thanked the man then held Lightning's hand and promised she would be here when he woke up before leaving and letting the doctor and nurse do their job…

Carson and Sally sat with Lightning in the ICU. Sally so happy that the tubes were gone. He was doing better. Actually improving! Now just waiting. Waiting for him to wake up. Carson cleared his throat and asked, "Will he even remember the accident?" Sally glanced at her father then back to Lightning. Placing her hand over his before answering, "I don't know. It may be best he doesn't. I don't know how to brake that to him… And racing?… I know this sounds bad.. But part of me hopes he doesn't race again after this. But then part of me knows better. Racing is everything to Lightning… God… Why did this have to happen?… Dad?… Do you really think Lightning just lost his grip out there?.." She frowned. Carson sighed, "I don't know. I didn't really pay attention to the racing.. You know him though." He reminded. Sally nodded. Rubbing her thumb over his knuckles. "Come on, baby… Please wake up…" She pleaded quietly.

30 minutes went by.

Sally paced back and fourth near the end of the bed. "Why hasn't he woke up?" Sally asked her Father. Carson didn't know. Then finally the doctor came in. He looked at Lightning's vitals and then at Sally. Sally asking, "What's wrong?" "I'm going to give it more time. He may just be having a hard time waking up." He explained then left. Sally finally sat down in the chair. She sighed. She wanted Lightning awake now! She was tired of waiting. This coma had to let up…

The doctor returned about an hour later. No change. He listened to Lightning's lungs. Carson and Sally waiting across the room. The doctor sighed and wrapped the instrument around his neck before speaking, "I'm gonna order some scans. Going to call Neuro to come take a look at him." Sally's eyes teared up as she asked, "Do you think it's bad? Like.. Brain damage?" The doctor sighed. Thinking before answering, "I'm gonna let the scans speak for me there. Let me get these tests done and I'll get back to you two in a few hours." He smiled. A fake smile. Then left the room. Sally sat in the chair and began crying. He wasn't waking up and now Neuro was getting involved! How bad could this get!? She thought he was improving! Carson pulled Sally close and held her as she began crying loudly all over again…

Sally and Carson sat in the waiting room along with the pit crew. Everyone just sitting around, watching game shows on the tv. Snacks. Mater playing cards with Luigi and Guido. Sally resting her eyes over her Father's shoulder. Lightning was having scans and tests ran. Sally was terrified. If there was brain damage and he cousins wake up?… What was next?!.. The doors opened and everyone looked over. It was Chad and Minty. They walked in nervously.

Sally seeing her Mother in law, ran to her and hugged her tightly! "Minty, I'm so sorry!" Sally began crying again. Minty couldn't hold back the tears. She held Sally tightly and cried. Chad hated seeing his Mother go through this for a second time. Sally then wiped her eyes and hugged Chad. Chad asking, "How are you holding up?…" Sally sniffled, "Barely… I'm sorry…" Chad's eyes watered up. But he was determined not to cry.

Minty then asking, "Where is he? How is he?" Sally's eyes filled with tears. She didn't know how to explain this! So Carson walked over and explained, "He's having scans done. The doctor wanted to run some tests.." Sally then yelping, "He won't wake up. They've tried multiple times now and he just won't wake up!" Everyone stared at her. Especially Chad. Fuck. Chad glanced at his Mother then back at Sally and asked, "Did.. Did they say why?…" Sally shook her head. Wiping her eyes.

Chad nodded. You could tell he was about to lose it in tears. His little brother… God, no.. Chad then mumbled, "Excuse me.." Leaving the waiting room. Minty didn't want him to go, but Carson grabbed her hand and said, "Let him breathe.." Minty stared at Carson. Her eyes watering up. She just could not hold it. Minty began crying roughly. Carson held her as she cried. Minty screaming crying for her son. It was an extremely painful thing for everyone to watch….

Chad came back and opened the door, but Sally pushed him out into the hall! "What the hell?" He asked. Sally shoved Chad against the wall and snapped! "What the hell gives you the right to make Lightning's medical decisions! I'm his wife!" Chad's brows lowered as he answered, "Monty asked me to!" "Why?" "Because you're too weak!" "What the hell does that mean!?" "It means you could never let him go if you had to!" Chad shouted into her face as tears poured from his eyes. Sally took a step back.

Staring. "What do you mean by that?.." She asked softly. Chad stared at her. Thinking back to Lightning's promise years ago..

Chad shook his head, "No, it's just me for now." "Oh. " Chad walked up and began, You know, was just curious about why you had a different attorney reach out to me and ask me to sign some papers that made me your proxy instead of Sally but then on top of that, Sally just told me that you want to die. And now a part of me can't help but think those two entirely separate things are related. What's going on with you, bro?" He asked.

Lightning frowned. Thinking a moment before answering, "I just... I hired another attorney a while back because I was afraid of Sally taking money. I just never fired her. And... I asked you to be my go-to guy in the case something happens because I know Sally can't handle it and if I'm a vegetable, I want you to pull the plug." "Monty, no. I'm your brother. I can't do that." "Yes, you can. You have to for me." "...Well.. I signed it. So.. Hopefully, there never comes a day when Sally has to find that out…"…..

Chad wiped his eyes and took a deep breath before answering, "Monty knew that you couldn't make the the tough decisions if they were needed… He knew you loved him to much and he loved you so much he didn't want you to have to deal with this…" wiping his eyes again. "Please, Sally… Don't make this harder on me…. Please.. I know you don't want me to be in charge of this.. I understand that.. But I promised Monty… I.." He began crying. Falling onto the floor on his ass and crying.

Sally stared. Just stared. No frown. No smile. She was losing all feeling and going numb right now. "I see…" She mumbled. Staring at Chad on the floor. She turned and walked down the hall. Walking alone. Leaving Chad to cry his eyes out. This. This right here was the moment Sally went completely numb. Her heart was dead. Her love was gone. She didn't need to cry now because it was what it was for now…. Lightning was prepared for this. Lightning was wanting to die. He didn't want to fight…

Sally eventually returned to the waiting room to find Chad and Minty standing next to the doctor and speaking to him while everyone else was sat down and listening. The doctor paused and glanced at her. Sally glared at Chad then walked up to the doctor and asked, "How is he?"

The doctor answering, "Well… Like I told Chad here, Lightning is suffering from multiple conditions. But the root of the problem and the reason he's not waking up is oxygen levels.. He's suffered a lot. The lack of oxygen has injured organs and his brain this means.. The brain has suffered damage. We don't know how much yet.. Still waiting on some results. The good news is, he is stable. His stats and vitals are okay. I'm going to get them up more, but he's stable." "What's the treatment?" Sally asked calmly.

The doctor sighed, "For now… We wait. I'll have a better idea what we are dealing with once K get results. But… In a few days, I'm going to have some more scans. With any luck, he'll wake up." He smiled. Sally glared at Chad and snarled, "So looks like you don't have to kill him after all." Everyone stared in awe. Some jaws dropped. Chad's eyes filled with tears. Sally was cruel! Minty could not believe that came out of Sally's mouth. With everyone staring at her. Sally turned and left the room again. Chad sighed and wiped his eyes. He already didn't want this burden, but Sally was making it worse! The doctor then added, "Due to the circumstances.. I am keeping him in the ICU.. and still two visitors at a time, but it can be anyone. It doesn't have to be family." Chad nodded. Wiping his eyes and thanking the doctor…

Carson walked into the ICU into the room. He saw Sally sitting across from Lightning's bed where he lay. Her feet up in the chair and holding her knees. Carson closed the door behind him and greeted, "Hey, Sally…" She didn't speak. Just hid her face in her arms that were crossed over her knees. Carson sighed and walked closer before asking, "What's wrong?.." Nothing. "What's going on, baby girl?…" Sally looked at her father and calmly answered, "Lightning put Chad in charge of all his medical decisions. From the way Chad was speaking to me… Lightning was prepared to die. He knew this day might come and he was prepared to die." She stared at her husband.

Broken so badly right now. "And now.. He's not waking up.. There's possibly brain damage.. He might wake up and I don't even know who he is anymore." She frowned. Carson glanced at Lightning then back at his daughter to reply, "I don't think that's exactly what's going on. You could ask Chad"-"No. Chad and Lightning weren't even on speaking terms for months. Now suddenly, Chad gets to decide what happens to him. Please…" She growled. Carson didn't know what to say. But there was an attitude change in Sally suddenly.

Carson walked up to his daughter and said, "Come on. His family wants to see him. Only two at a time." Sally just scoffed, "Maybe I don't want Chad to see him at this point. The fact he's okay with making these decisions?.. They don't even affect him!" Sally shouted with anger! Carson remained calm and corrected, "I think you're wrong there. I think everything and anything Chad does here is going to affect him the rest of his life.." "Not like it affects me! Lightning is mine! He's my husband!" "And his brother.. You may love him, but Chad grew up with him. It's a different love, Sally… Come on. You have to let them see him. They need to." He said.

Sally stared at Lightning. She knew her Father was right. She just didn't want to leave Lightning's side. She sighed and gave up. "Yeah… Okay…" Then stood up, walked over to Lightning and kissed him on the forehead. At least he wasn't on the life support anymore….

Minty and Chad walked into the room quietly. Closing the door and keeping the curtains closed. Minty walked up to her youngest son's side. Staring at her son. All she could do was think about how happy and young and full of life he use to be…

Monty woke up and looked at the alarm clock. He yawned seeing the time. 9.45... 9.45... 9.45!? Monty jumped up out of bed with a thud! He fell, but quickly got up and got dressed! "SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!" he shouted. Minty knocked and opened the door. "MOM! I'M GETTING DRESSED!" Monty shouted as he slipped on his shoes in a hurry!

Minty snickered assuring "Ain't nothin I haven't seen before Mon. You going to Chad's shop after class today?" "Yeah, uh, maybe." "YOU BETTER. You have to get to work and I mean REAL WORK. Help your brother get caught up on cash. And apologize to the owner of that car."

"Yeah, okay Mom... I gotta go, I'm late for class!" Monty replied and rushed out. "And how are you getting to class with no car?" Minty asked her son. That stopped Monty dead in his tracks. He looked up to his mother with a stupid face asking "Maybe I could borrow your" "No. NO MORE CARS FOR YOU" "BUT MOM!" "I'll drive you." Minty assured….

Minty brushed Lightning's golden hair. Tears filling her eyes. She was terrified of losing him. Losing another son to racing. Losing another child in general. "Oh, Mon…" She whimpered Chad walked over. Holding back tears as he looked at his little brother. Minty brow. She pushed her face into Chad's chest and cried hard for her youngest. Chad wrapped his arms around his mother. Tears rolling down his cheeks as they stood next to Lightning. Letting out a good cry…