Lightning sat in the Bolt. Staring out at Willy's butte track through the windshield. The car was off at the moment. He was just thinking. Sally had to be pregnant. Surely she was. And he didn't feel entirely comfortable leaving Sally alone like this. Especially if she was pregnant!? Lightning had to think is something or someone to look after her other than Flo. Someone he trusted that could understand the situation. Someone who he could trust to help with the motels and make sure she took it easy. Lightning sighed.

That narrowed it down to almost no one. Lightning stared out at the track. Gripping the wheel of the car. It had been literal months sense he drove the old race car. Lightning could feel his longing to race and be who he was slipping from him. His heart wasn't in the right place and he was… losing himself to become what his wife wanted. Who was he kidding? She was right. He was miserable most of the time. Lightning dropped his hands from the wheel. He wasn't a racer anymore. This wasn't him anymore, was it? He was… He was what now? He sucked at running the motels.

He was bored and not great at doing anything around town. Sure, he could and probably would give up and just make his own mechanics shop. At least he could do work he was confident in and could actually do. But the last time he did that, he was screwing that up too. Back when he use to work for his brother. Of course, he was much younger, inexperienced and immature back then. Yeah, he could probably do it. But he didn't want that. Lightning turned the Bolt on and brushed his hand over the steering wheel as he spoke to the machine, "Maybe next time, girl.." then shifting the car, he slowly drove off the track and back onto the road to head back into town. If anyone were to really begin paying attention to the former racer, they'd see he was really losing his spirit…

It was early morning. Lightning tossed his suitcase into the corvette as Sally watched him in her robe on the porch. Closing the hatch, Lightning walked up to his wife. "I'll call you every night." He promised with a smile. Sally wrapped her arms around her love tightly and said, "You two be safe. Send me some pictures." "Sure, babe. You let me know if anything happens." "Of course, Stickers." "I love you." Lightning purred as he hugged his wife tightly. He really didn't want to leave her. Not after that one test result. Sally only squeezed him harder. "I love you to.." She whimpered in reply. Lightning kissed the top of her head.

Not wanting to let her go. "Hey, one week. One week and one more test then two more weeks and we confirm it." He reminded with a smile. Sally looked up at him and nodded. Smiling as she gazed up into his eyes. Lightning brushed his hands up her body, holding her face in his hands and taking in her sweet expression before kissing her so softly. Kissing her to remember the softness of her pink lips, her scent, just her. Lightning rested his head on her forehead as his hands rubbed down to her neck. Holding her gently. "I'll miss you." He whispered.

Sally snickered, "I'll miss you too." "I'll be safe. I'll call once we get to the motel tonight." "Better." Sally warned playfully. Lightning smiled and pulled away, but then his wife grabbed his hand and pulled him back. Holding his hands and looking up. Kissing him one more time before bidding goodbye for the week….

Mater got into the car and shut the door. "Boy! This is sure gonna be fun!" The older man exclaimed. Lightning snickered replying, "Yeah, this will be nice. We will have a decent and good time." "Decent? Shoot! We are gonna have more fun than a tornado in a trailer park! I'm excited! I'm glad Miss Sally let you come." "Yeah.. Yeah, she did." Lightning mumbled back. A little unsure about her reasonings though….

The two friends pulled up to the motel and walked into their room. Mater specifically asked if the two of them could share a room. Two bed, one bath. Small motel room, but standard. Lightning set down the suitcases. Mater plopped down onto the couch and sighed, "That was fun, but I'm exhausted. Hey! Want to watch a movie!?" The friend asked with a smile. Lightning locked up answering, "Sure, just let me call Sally real quick."

Mater nodded saying, "I had no idea you were such a Dino nerd, Lightnin." "Well… I grew up with a lot of brothers. It was a thing." "Shoot! We can watch Jurassic park! The first one is the best one." Mater exclaimed and grabbed the remote. Lightning walking to the bathroom and closing the door before pulling out his phone, pulling up his wife's name and calling.

Hey! How was the first day?

"It was good. We went to a dinosaur museum."

Oh wow. So Mater got to see the other side of Lightning McQueen.

"Something like that. It honestly was pretty tiring."

Mater can be a handful.

"Got that right."

Did you have fun though?

"Sure. How are you doing?"

Well, it's quiet in the house. I miss you laying here next to me.

"Hmm. I got to admit that's my favorite part of not racing anymore."

What? Sleeping in bed with me?

"Yeah."

You slept with me in bed when you raced, Stickers.

"Sure, but not like now. Every night. Having every morning with you. No rush to get up. It's my favorite part of the day."

You are adorable Lightning McQueen.

"Yeah, yeah, okay. How are you actually doing?"

Well, I'm feeling fine.

"Have you been sick at all?"

Nope. Don't get your hopes up, Stickers. There is really very little chance of me being pregnant.

"I think you'd be surprised. We're trying pretty much all the time. More than even before." (Plus he wasn't drugging her)

Yeah, I guess.

"I love you, Sally McQueen."

I love you, Lightning McQueen.

"You have a good night, Sal."

You too.

"I'll be home soon."

I know. You just enjoy the time with your best friend and some alone time. You need to relax.

"I will. At some point. Probably once Mater is asleep."

You're funny.

"And you are the most amazing and sexiest thing I've ever laid eyes on."

Alright, alright. Good night.

"Night, Sally."

She hung up first. Lightning glanced at the screen of his phone with a smile. He loved that woman. And really hoped she was pregnant, honestly. She needed this. He was ready for this. …

Lightning walked out and sat down on the couch next to his best friend. Mater glanced at Lightning and asked, "How's Miss Sally doin?" "Great." "How's the whole baby thing going?" "I mean… I think it's going well.." Lightning answered awkwardly. Mater punched Lightning in the shoulder asking, "You puttin in the work?" And winked. Lightning glared answering, "Yeah, I'm trying. We're trying." Mater noticed his friend seemed annoyed and asked, "You sure everything's okay? You two been workin on that for years. Is something wrong with Miss Sally?" "Not exactly. No, nothing is wrong with Sally. It's just… I don't know. I don't wanna talk about it." Lightning growled.

Mater frowned a bit seeing Lightning bothered like that. "Shoot, I'm sorry. I was only askin." "I know, it's fine. I just don't want to worry about her. About it. I'm sorry, Mater. Thanks for asking." "I miss gettin to hang out with ya. Think once we get back home we can hang out more. You know, sense you're home and all?" "Sure, buddy." "Gee. You know what? You should start working at the junk yard permanently! We would get to hang out all the time!" Mater exclaimed with a huge smile. Lightning chuckled a bit answering, "Not sure about that one, buddy." "Well aren't you still looking for work?" ".. Yeah.." "So work with me!" Mater exclaimed. Lightning stared at his friend and frowned a bit.

Mater noticed this and asked, "You miss racing, don't chya?" Lightning snickered asking, "Is it that obvious?" "Why didn't you try harder before?.. I mean it was nice what you done did for that lady and all, but.. You could have raced." "No, I couldn't… It's.. I'm not good enough anymore." "Don't say that. You're the best racer in the entire sport." Mater assured. Lightning stared at his friend a moment. Thinking back on his career. How it slowly wasn't what he had started. How he was slowly not as strong or good as he was. "But I'm not." Lightning corrected. Mater just frowned. Kind of hurt hearing the Lightning McQueen talk about himself like that.

Mater sighed then assured, "Well, you'll find somethin. You could have kept coaching Cruz." Lightning's eyes widened hearing that. "No… Its.. It's not for me." "Sure it was! You looked just like old Doc up there on that podium. Sally and I both saw how happy you were." "It was… Under certain circumstances…" "What do you mean?" Mater asked. Lightning sighed answering, "Nothing. Never mind. Let's enjoy the movie. I'll go grab some snacks." "Oh… Uh.. Okay." Replied Mater. Watching Lightning walk off. Mater knew something else was bothering Lightning, but let it go and figured it was something about how Lightning and Sally had been trying for a baby….

Sally woke up and sat up in bed. Stretching. She yawned then got up, shower, teeth, dressed, breakfast.. Sally stared at all of the food in the fridge. Something inside the fridge was horrible smelling. Like death. She grabbed her mouth and ran to the trash can, but thankfully she didn't get sick. She was so nervous. She could be. Right? She hadn't taken another test and she wouldn't until Lightning returned. Composure. Sally took a few deep breaths then continued her day.

Open the office of the cone,

Breakfast run,

Fox a bit of the things Lightning helped with at the cone,

Coffee,

Up to wheel well,

Open up the office and check out a few guests.

Sally kept herself busy. A good busy. Making the drive back to town that evening, Sally stopped by the cafe. Walking in and up to the bar counter, she sat on one of the stools. Flo smiled as she approached and asked, "How is your day going?" "Good. I almost have everything back to the way it was before Lightning got ahold of it." "Great. But he was only trying to help." Flo reminded. Sally nodded and sighed, "Yeah, I know.." "How is he doing on his little road trip?" "Well, good so far. He's going to try calling every night. Which is kind of cute I guess." "Worried about you?" Flo asked. Sally stared a moment at her friend before nodding.

Flo smiled and quietly asked, "Are you still getting sick?.." Sally shrugged answering, "Nauseas at times… Don't. I know I'm not." "Have you taken one?" "Yes. Two.." "Oh.. Im sorry." "It's fine." Sally growled. Mostly upset and frustrated at that false positive. Well. Maybe it was positive. It could be.. She needed to take another test, but she was going to wait until Lightning was back home…..

Lightning was driving while Mater was staring out at the clouds through the passenger window. "Yep. Storms on its way." Mater announced. Lightning glanced at his friend, raising a brow before asking, "What? No way. Look at the sky. Seriously, where do you get this stuff?" "I told you my rusty joints know when it's gonna rain." Mater reminded. Lightning rolled his eyes as he continued to drive. Mater frowned then smiled as he suggested, "You know we probably shoulda stopped at the cute little motel a few miles back." "Nah, I don't think so. Let's just keep going. There's bound to be another motel. Eventually." Lightning assured. Mater sighed and leaned into the passenger seat. Looking up at the clouds and sky through the window. He was sure it was going to rain….

Sally was watching tv on couch when her phone began to buz. She smiled as she grabbed it. Seeing her husband's name pull up. "Hey stickers."

Hey, Can you hear me?

"Barely. Sounds like you're driving."

I am. We got a little… Slowed down by the weather. It's storming a little. Just trying to find a motel nearby and the service is not great.

"Do you know where you two are?"

Uh… Sort of. We passed a motel a few hours ago called… The queens suites.

"Let me see if I can find it."… Sally quickly out the phone on speaker and used maps. Finding the cute little motel and seeing the old highway they were on. "Wow. I thought Radiator Springs was out in the middle of nowhere. Um… if you stay on that road, there is another motel. It's called Destiney Hotel. I think it's more of a bed and breakfast. Super old and fancy looking."

Perfect! See, what I tell ya, Mater. Thanks, Sal.

"Of course. How is the trip going?"

What? I can barely hear you.

"How is the trip going?"

Lightning glanced at the phone then placed it back to his ear saying, "Sal? Sally? I can't understand you. It's all static and underwater like. I'll call you back when I get service." Then he hung up and tossed the phone in the cubby between him and his friend. The two continued through the heavy rain and thunderstorm for a good half hour or so more. Mater was glaring at his Lightning. Really glaring and eyeing him. Lightning noticed and knew exactly why. "Don't say it." Lightning growled.

Mater looked over and replied, "Oh I'm gonna say it!" "Don't." Lightning warned with a rude glare of an expression. Then the two noticed the sign. The motel sign. Lightning pulled the vehicle into the road way up to the parking lot. The bulb on the sign popped and broke. Falling to the ground. Mater swallowed nervously as Lightning parked the suv. "What's wrong this time?" Lightning asked with annoyance as he shut off the suv. Mater nervously answered, "Somethin bout this place is giving me the heebie jeebies." Lightning rolled his eyes and got out the vehicle, grabbing his phone and shutting the door. Getting a duffle out and closing the trunk. Mater nervously grabbed his small bag for the night and followed his friend. Nervously.

Once inside, they were greeted by an older man who was dressed more a less similar to a vampire from one of the older movies. Mater instantly muttered, "Nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, no thank you." Ana stepped back. Lightning grabbed Mater's arm and growled, "Oh come on! It's a place to get out of the rain and it's just for the night, Mater. We are staying here. End of story." Mater stared at Lightning with an expression of such concern. He was nervous about this spooky place.

The two walked, following the older man. "Relax, Mater. It's got vintage charm." Lightning tried calming his friend's nerves, but it wasn't seeming to do much. The man then announced, "The hotel telecom is complimentary. Breakfast buffet from 6am to 9:15. Check out time for all guest is at precisely NOON." The man made sure to emphasize on the noon part there. Mater gulped nervously. Lightning stared the guy as he checked them in and took a key from him.

It was weird. Old. An old skeleton key. But the two made their way to their room. Lightning unlocked it and opened the door. It squeaked slowly. Just like that haunted houses in moves. But the room seemed normal. Two beds , bath. Small tv across from the beds and a few lamps. "See!" Lightning exclaimed, "This is place is fine! It's not like we're gonna live here." He reminded then dropped his back and began trying to find service on his phone throughout the room. Mater stared at the lamp on the wall. It suddenly went out. Then the floor beneath was making sounds. Mater nervously announced, "Im keeping the light on…"

Lightning sighed. "No signal. I guess I'll call Sally tomorrow. Hey! The rain has stopped." Lightning announced as he glanced out the tall window. Mater walked up and glanced outside. Some old guy was digging holes near the fence surrounding the motel. Mater jumped and gasped! "You have got to calm down." Lightning growled then walked to his bed and laid down. "I'm gonna sleep like a rock tonight." Crossing his legs and closing his eyes. Making himself comfortable. Mater was shaking. Nope. He was so nervous. But the older man crawled into his bed and covered himself up. Covering his head with the blankets as if a child scared of the night….

Mater was snoring extensively. The tree outside was scratching the window. The ceilings above seemed to have some sort of animal crawling around in the upper basement or something. Lightning tossed and turned. No way he was getting much rest like this. Lightning sat up and sighed. He got out of bed then the light above shook as something above made a huge thud sound. That grabbed his attention. But the snoring was the worst. Lightning glared at his friend, walked over and tapped Mater's shoulder. "Mater.. Mater." Lightning said gently.

Nothing. His friend was completely out! Lightning sighed then grabbed his phone. No signal in the room. So slipping on his shoes, wearing his pajama pants and a t shirt, Lightning headed down the hall and walked a bit trying to get some signal. He really wished he could have checked up on Sally earlier, but this signal was bad. Lightning continued to walk down the hall. Down the halls.

Walking a bit. Still no signal. "Come on…" He growled to himself. Then he realized. He stopped and looked back. He'd been walking in what felt like circles. "Crap." He snarled. Which way was the room? Lightning began trying to head back the way he came. Going in what felt like circles in the halls. No doors. No rooms. Just king halls. Something wasn't right. Then he came to a dead end with a double door. "What?" He was so confused. Lightning turned around and continued. Trying to find the room. "Fuck.." He growled. Walking down more halls and more halls. This didn't make sense. "Ah!"He yelped a bit as he came to another dead end but found some young girl.

A kid really. Two of them. Twins. Dressed exactly the same. One of them asking, "Why don't you come race with us, Lightning McQueen?" Lightning stared at them. What the hell? "Um.. I really just need to find my room." He turned around and walked the other direction. Opposite direction from the creepy little girls. Lightning came down another hall to find a dead end agin, but this one had an elevator! "Yes!" He exclaimed. But that's when he realized. Sense when was there an elevator?

Then the floors number above started flipping rather quickly. That wasn't normal. Lightning began to think about this. Something wasn't right. Then it stopped at.. Antifreeze? Lightning didn't understand. The doors opened and the hall was going to flood at the amount of antifreeze pouring from the elevator! "That's a lot of antifreeze.." Lightning muttered then found himself drowning in the liquid! Underwater in a pool antifreeze. He swam up to the top and pulled himself out, someone helped him out. Pulling him up. "You alright there, sunny?" The old man asked. Lightning looked up to see some older folks dancing.

An older woman grabbed him up and asked, "Carr to dance?" Spinning Lightning around in circles and complimenting, "You sure are light on your feet!" Then passing him along ti some guy, he spun Lightning around and out of the room! Lightning nearly fell but instead of landing on the floor, Lightning found himself in the bolt. "What?.." He muttered with confusion. What the hell was going on? Then he heard another engine down the hall. Lightning turned on his headlights to see this long nosed hot rod coming straight at him! Lightning gunned it down the hall in reverse! Trying to get away! Trying not be hit, then he was outside!? Lightning shifted the bolt, turned around and hit the gas! Rushing though what seemed to be a grave yard!

Lightning hit the brakes seeing a tomb stone ahead! "AAHH!" Lightning yelled as he tried stopping in time, but the bolt jumped straight down into the dug hole under the grace! Lightning found himself in the Bolt, spinning in circles and feeling extremely dizzy! "Aaahh!" He screamed. Feeling so badly. His head hurt, his eyes hurt, he felt hot, dizzy. Spinning out of control!

Lightning shot up in bed. It was a bad dream! But fuck! Lightning grabbed his chest! His heart! His head was killing him. He felt so dizzy. Nauseas. "Fuck.. No." he growled. Not another one of these episodes! Lightning stood up but fell to the ground with a THUD! Mater shot up and shouted, "Don't take me evil ghost!" Then looked over to see Lightning on the floor on his back, breathing rapidly. "McQueen!" Mater shouted as he jumped out of bed. Kneeling down and asking, "What's wrong!? What happened!?" Lightning sat up.

Barely. He was swaying and about to fall again. "Just…" He tried. He was trying to speak but he couldn't catch his breath. He was tired and faintish. Mater grabbed Lightning's phone. No signal!? "What do I do!?" Mater shouted. Lightning lay back down on the floor. Basically falling. He could get up. He felt worse if he sat up. His vision was pulsing. Fading. "The bag.." He managed. "Medicine bag…" Mater nodded and grabbed the duffle. Tossing clothes out and finding the small bag with medication bottles. "Which one?!" Mater asked. Lightning grabbed the bed and sat up against it, Mater handed the bag to him then went and grabbed a cup of water from the bathroom.

Lightning barely could open the pill bottle. He took some medications then continued to lean against the bed. Panting, sweating, feeling like he was going to pass out. Mater sat across from his friend and asked, "Are you going to be okay?" Lightning nodded answering, "Yeah…. just… Just… Give me a minute…" it sounded like he was struggling to breathe. Mater sat there across from his friend. Watching over him a bit. Ready to jump in and help any way Lightning needed at any given moment. But his breathing seemed to be retuning. His vision stopped doing the fading into black pulsing thing.

Lightning took a few deep breaths then asked, "Could you just.. Get me.. A cold rag.." Mater nodded and quickly did as his friend as. Bringing Lightning a damp rag. Lightning leaned his head back and lay it over his eyes. The coolness felt great to him. Mater stared a moment then finally asked, "What exactly just happened?.." Lightning swallowed loudly before answering, "I have health problems sense the accident… I told you… I'm not the best anymore." "What sort of health problems?…" "Blood pressure.. Heart rate.." Lightning then set the rag down and grabbed his pulse ox. Placing it on and watching the reading. Oxygen 89, pulse 46.

Lightning sighed and put the device back in the bag. He still felt dizzy as hell. Mater asked, "Can't the doctors do something to fix you?" "That's what the medications are for…" "Well it don't look like it's working." "Don't tell Sally. She doesn't need to know I had another one of these episodes." Lightning mumbled with a frown. Mater raised a brow and asked, "Do you have these all the time?" "Not all the time…" Lightning admitted, but yeah, he was having them often. Mater hated seeing this.

Waking up to this was such panic! Mater cautiously asked, "Does it hurt?.." Lightning stared at his friend a moment before answering, "Not really.. It's just… A weird… Tightness and headache mostly. But it goes away after a few minutes.." "Oh.. What's causing that?" Mater asked. Lightning sighed, "I don't know. The doctors don't know either. Just been that way sense the accident." "Miss Sally did say you had a lot of trouble with blood pressure and oxygen while in the hospital." "Yeah…." "It won't kill you?.. Will it?" Mater asked with such worry. Lightning smiled a bit answering, "No, of course not. I'm fine." He assured. Lying to his best friend so not to worry him further….

The two checked out. Headed back to the suv. Mater asking, "You feeling okay, Lightning?" Lightning nodded, "Yeah.. It's just my head keeps spinning a bit." "I think I should drive for a bit." "Yeah… Actually, you're probably right.. We need gas soon. Maybe I can get some signal and call Sally." "Yeah, I should call Filmore and ask how he's handling taking care of the junk yard." Mater added as the two got in, buckled up. Heading back out on the road…..