Doc opened his door to see Minty. "You came." He stated. Minty nodded then asked "Is that woman with you? The one I saw earlier at the cafe?" Doc shook his head answering "No, I gave her the night off.. She's coming with me to the race this weekend though." "Oh." Minty said. The two stood there for a few seconds before Minty smiled and asked "Well.. Are you going to let me in or leave me standing out here all night?" Doc's eyes widened and he stepped aside. "Sorry, yea. Come in, please." As she walked in, Doc asked "How long are you staying?" Minty sighed and smiled at him before answering "Well, I was hoping to stay the night. If your offer still stands of course." Doc smiled and locked the house answering "It does. I'm glad you decided to stay with me." "I am coming along to the race with you boys too." "Really?" "Yeah. I haven't seen Monty race in forever anyway. I'm always so afraid he'll wreck one day and have a serious injury, I just.. It's hard to be there and know I may possibly see something like that." Minty explained. Doc nodded replying "I understand. Lightning really is an excellent racer though Min. I don't see him ever crashing hard enough to.. Harm him that much, but I'll tell you somethin I tell that kid all the time. Crashes are a part of racing. It's going to happen to him a few times in his career." "Yeah.. I know.." Minty muttered as she looked at the floor and crossed her arms. The thought was so scary though. Doc took her hand and gazed into her eyes. "If you want to talk about anything, I'm here." "For now.." Minty whimpered as her eyes teared up. Doc gently wiped her tears away and brushed his wrinkled hand through her hair before leaning in and softly kissing her dry lips. Minty closed her eyes and embraced his touch before their lips parted with a quiet smack...

Lightning sat in the trailer with his race car. Thinking about how to deal with the fans and reporters. Doc stood there alongside him. Along with Sally, Minty, and Mack. Doc sighed and crossed his arms saying "We have to get some practice in. You're going to need it." Lightning nodded as he sat there hunched over his knees. "I know." He snarled. "I'm just trying to think of words." Doc sighed and everyone either sat or stood there quietly. Letting Lightning have some quiet as he thought of what to say to the cameras. This is one of the parts that fans never truly think about when they think of Lightning McQueen. The part where all that news they read comes from. How rude, selfish, annoying, in your face, intrusive the reporters who get that news can be. It can get overwhelming for Lightning sometimes. Sally spoke up with "We are all right behind you Lightning." Lightning looked up towards her. Seeing her, his Mother, Mack and Doc. Doc placed a hand on Lightning's shoulder saying "You can not sit in here forever kid.. We have to face them." Lightning nodded. He sure as hell didn't want to though. Not yet. "What do I say?" The racer asked. "Everyone expects me to be strong and have some stupid plan and to win this season, but.. I'm not as strong as they think.. I have no plan and I.. I don't think I can do this." Sally knelt down in front of her boyfriend and smiled up at him. "You got this Stickers.." Lightning swallowed loudly then sighed as he looked up at his coach. Doc nodded once saying "Come on. Let's go to the track." Lightning nodded then stood up, stretching a little. He and Doc stepped up to the trailer door. Standing side by side. Lightning's breathing quickened and became noticeably loud. Doc placed a hand on his racer's shoulder and smiled. "Just tell them the truth or ignore them." Lightning looked at Doc choosing to "Ignore them this time.. I just don't know what to say." Doc agreed with a nod and then he opened the door slowly. Lightning took one deep breath as the sunlight hit him. He and Doc stepped out to a mess of flashing cameras, people shoving microphones at them, yelling over each other, trying to get Lightning or Doc's attention. The former champion and the current champion ignored them and barely walked to the track. They finally got the line where security wouldn't let the reporters through. Doc and Lightning were in a wide open track area now. They made their way to the Rusteze tent when they were stopped by Cal and Strip. "Hey Hud." Called Strip. Doc looked at the old racer. Strip walked up and firmly grabbed Doc's hand and shook it saying "It's been an honor to know you. I wish I could have raced you." he joked. Doc snickered and smiled saying "Would have been fun." Strip then took Lightning's hand and pulled him close and hugged him. "You come to me for anything kid. I mean it." Patting Lightning on the back before pulling away. Honestly it hurt Lightning more. He knew Strip was only acting this way out of pity. It made Lightning feel like Doc was almost dead. Sooner than he was hoping. Doc patted Lightning on the back asking "Ready to get some practice in? I think the girls might enjoy watching from the garage for now with all this attention." Doc suggested. Lightning agreed with a silent nod of his head. Doc sighed. Seeing Lightning close up like that was kind of scary. Strip walked off. Cal stood there a moment. Staring at Lightning and Doc too. "You be careful out there Light.." Cal warned then walked away as well. Doc and Lightning walked to the pits where the team had pushed the Bolt over for the racer. "Wait.." Lightning began and noticed that Leon wasn't around. "Where's Leon?" He asked. Doc picked up a headset answering "Told him he could take the week off. If I'm here, I might as well do my job." Lightning's eyes lit up and his heart fluttered hard inside his chest! Doc was coaching him today!? Doc was coaching him today! Lightning suddenly hugged his coach tightly! "Woah!" Doc exclaimed! "Thank you.." Lightning whimpered. Doc smiled and patted the kid's back before hugging him. Lightning couldn't help but break there. Tears filled his eyes. He coughed a bit, trying not to cry hard as tears rolled down his cheeks. Doc pushed away saying "Now man up before the other racers see you like this." Lightning nodded and wiped his eyes before grabbing his helmet and getting into the Bolt...

Lightning pulled up in the Bolt to his garage and parked inside, shutting off the car. He took off his gloved and began to get out the window as the garage door closed shut hard. Lightning took off the helmet and thought that was odd. "All alone now, huh?" Said a familiar man's voice. Lightning turned around to see Ghar and Lou. Lightning's brows lowered as he asked "Where's Tony?" Ghar walked over to the doors and locked up the garage while Lou answered "He didn't get banned from today's race." Lightning sighed and set down his helmet assuming "And you two did." Lou walked around the Bolt answering "That's right." Ghar came around the other side adding "We sure did." Lou with "And the President was happy to give the name of the person who got us banned to." Lightning was cornered. Lou on his left side and Ghar on his right with the Bolt in front of him and a wall behind him. Lou continued "And we don't think the racer who told on us should race either today." Lightning nodded and stood there. Thinking about how this would probably play out. He knew he was in for it, but how would he get out of this? He tried talking. "Look guys.. You had it coming. You treated Sally really badly and"-"Oh I am so sorry.. Did we ruin her shirt?" teased Ghar. Lou snickered a bit as they closed in on him. Lightning shook his head and warned. "You two really don't want to do this.." Ghar cracked his knuckles and said "Yeah, I think we really do."

Lou shoved Lightning towards Ghar who then shoved Lightning back to Lou who pushed his back against the Bolt. Lightning's brows lowered and he readied himself to take the next hit. Lou reared back as Ghar grabbed Lightning's arm. Lightning yanked his arm away as Lou planted his fist into Lightning's shoulder, bam! Lightning was shoved against the Bolt for the second time. Ghar kicked Lightning in the back of the knees, sending Lightning to the ground. Lou kicked him in the stomach hard. Lightning fell to the ground. Face on the cold concrete. He didn't have much of a will to fight, but he had some built up anger. He remembered what they did to Sally. And pushed up to sit on his knees. Looking directly up at these two. Ghar punched Lightning in the face. Lightning spit to the side then punched Ghar right in the knee! Ghar cried out as he fell, and Lightning punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor. Lou grabbed Lightning by the shoulders on his suit and dragged Lightning away from Ghar. Lightning kicked, making it harder on Lou then twisted his body around and grabbed Lou's arm and pulled him to the floor.

Lou rolled over and kicked Lightning in the chest. That really hurt Lightning to. Lightning pushed away and grabbed his chest in pain. Ghar got up and grabbed the nearest thing, a race helmet and threw it across the garage at Lightning! The thing hit the floor next to Lightning hard. Lightning stood up as Lou ran at him and grabbed him around his stomach and shoved Lightning straight back to the wall, BANG! HITTING THE WALL HARD. Lightning shouted "Fuck!" Then tried getting Lou off him when Ghar came up and reared back! Lightning ducked in time and Ghar punched the brick wall with pain! "Mother fucker!" Ghar cried out! Lou held his position and kept Lightning against the wall. Ghar loosened his belt and took it off then grabbed the wrench. Lightning watched in fear and confusion as Ghar took the belt around Lightning's mouth and pulled it tight! Ghar looked Lightning in the eyes and said "To muffle the sound you'll make." Ghar took Lightning's arm and forced it up next to his head then said. "Can't race with a broken wrist." Lightning tried getting his arm free, but no luck. He bit on the leather belt as Ghar reared the wrench back and...

Ghar and Lou left the garage in a hurry. Ghar putting his belt back on. Josie noticed them running away from Lightning's garage and immediately rushed to the building! "Lightning... LIGHTNING!" She screamed! She ran into the garage to find Lightning on the floor and holding his wrist in pain. "Lightning! What happened!?" Josie shouted as she ran to his side and fell to her knees! Lightning's wrist was red and a little blue like and a knot on the side of it making it look misshaped. "Lightning did Ghar and Lou do this!?" Josie asked with anger. Lightning breathed heavily through the pain, answering "Fuck them. I'll still race." Josie shook her head. Sally suddenly appeared and angrily asked "What's going on?" Josie stood up and ordered "Get him a medic. I'll deal with those two." Josie stomped out around Sally and left. Sally looked at Lightning and rushed back out yo grab Doc!...

Josie caught up with Ghar and Lou. She yelled "Hey!" They stopped and stared at her. "You two bust Lightning's wrist back there?" She asked, but she knew it was them. Ghar slapped Lou across the chest. Lou answered. "No idea what you're talking about sweetie." Ghar chuckled a little. Josie reached into her designer handbag and pulled out a taser and shocked Ghar hard! He fell to the ground as he jumped back. Lou put his hands up and snapped "He had it coming!" Josie reared her bag back and smacked Lou across the shoulder with it and yelled "You deserve worse!" Than hit him with her purse again! Ghar stood up and grabbed the purse from her and threw it! "Fucking bitch!" He reared back when suddenly another woman's voice shouted "That's them officer!" Ghar and Lou stared to see Sally next to two officers! The two racers quickly turned to run but were stopped by Bobby Swift who stood behind them, arms crossed and said "I don't think so." Cal walked up and snarled "You mess with McQueen, you mess with us." Junior walked up adding "All of us." Followed by two more racers. Lou and Ghar looked for help. They noticed Tony to the side, but Tony pretended not to know them now. The officers arrested the two racers and took them away. Sally walked over and picked up Josie's purse and used it off. "Nice bag. Is that Coach?" She asked. Josie smiled and slung her bag over her shoulder answering "Calvin. Thanks." With a friendly smile. Sally sighed and muttered "Thank you.. For.. Helping.." Josie nodded replying "I'd do anything for Lightning. And you." Bobby then walked up and flirted "Maybe after dinner, I can get you to say that to me." Josie rolled her eyes and laughed "In your dreams Bobby Swift. I don't go after playboys." Bobby snickered, then Cal asked "Aren't you married now Bobby?" Josie's brows raised. Bobby only growled and reminded "Open marriage Cal. Thanks for being such a cock block.." Josie shook her head then linked arms with Sally and asked "Shall we check on our boy?" Sally wasn't sure she liked Josie quite yet, but she nodded answering "Yeah, I think so."...

Josie and Sally walked over to the ambulance parked out of Lightning's garage where reporters were already trying to snap photos and ask about what happened by getting past security. Sally and Josie walked up to the ambulance where Doc sat with Lightning as the medic examined his wrist. Sally asking "How is it?.." Lightning glanced at her. Seeing her next to Josie was a little weird. The medic sighed and announced "Well, it's definitely broken." Lightning looked back and the medic began to bandage it up now. Doc sighed. Lightning then assured "I can still race." "What!?" Sally shouted in shock! "You can not be serious Lightning!" She snapped. Josie then butted in with "I don't think you should, but I do think you can." "What!?" Sally shouted again! Doc stood up and hopped out of the ambulance. Lightning asking "Doc can you tell them I can race? Tell the officials I can race, please!" He begged. Doc looked back at the kid and sighed again. Lightning shouldn't race. The medic grabbed out a needle and Lightning jumped "Woah, woah! Don't give me anything I can't race with!" He shouted! The medic glared and explained "You won't be allowed to race with that wrist Sir.. This is pain medication. Trust me, you will want it." Lightning scooted away and yelped "I can race! I can race Doc! Tell him I can race!" Doc stared at the kid as the medic finished the bandage. The medic looked at Doc and said "It's a small fracture. I don't even think he'll need surgery really." Doc nodded then asked his racer "You sure you want to do this?" Sally gasped asking "You can not be serious! He was beat up and can't drive with one hand!" She yelled! Doc replied "It's his left. He only needs his right." Lightning lit up asking "So you will let me race?" With such excitement. Doc nodded, but explained "We'll have to talk to the officials. Hurry up and come along. You have to convince them you can race, not me." Lightning nodded and hopped out the ambulance. Sally grabbed Lightning's good arm and asked "What if you crash because of this? One handed racing? You've never done that before..." Lightning turned to his girl and smiled at her brushing her hair behind her ear and assuring her that "Doc has trained me for just about every scenario. I know I can race with one hand. It's honestly the pain I'm more worried about." He admitted. Suddenly Minty ran up. She had to catch her breath before speaking "I came as soon as I... As I heard.!.. What happened to my baby?" She asked in worry. Josie raised a brow and asked "Is this another woman You've had call you baby? Little old for you..." Lightning immediately explained "What-no! No, this is my Mom. Mom, this is Josie. She's..." he paused and stared at Josie awkwardly before continuing "A friend." Josie raised a brow then shook Minty's hand. "Pretty little thing." Minty complimented then took Lightning's wrist and looked it over. "Those two racers did this?" She asked. Lightning nodded. "I'll be fine. I'll go to the hospital after the race." "You're still racing!?" Minty shouted! Doc butted in saying "Not if we don't talk to the officials. Come on kid, we better get a move on it." Lightning kissed Sally's forehead saying "Love you, I'll be back in a flash." Josie crossed her arms and joked "Don't you mean as fast as Lightning?" Lightning turned to her and sighed with a satisfying smile on his face. "Thank you." He said before rushing off with Doc. Minty stared at Josie a moment then asked "How do you know my son anyway?" Josie blushed a bit answering "Like he said, we're just friends. I met him back in his rookie days. He's such a sweet boy mam." "Sweet?" Minty questioned as she crossed her arms. "I'm not sure my Monty is the person you know." Sally then corrected in a bit of a snobbish way. "Josephine is Lightning's ex." Minty's eyes widened. She stared at Josie a moment with her red hair and big eyes then at Sally with her ashy platinum hair and blue eyes. Back at Josie with her curvy body and perfect skin and amazing make up then back at Sally with her tiny figure and lighter more natural makeup look. Josie with her high dollar, sparkly fashion and Sally with her button up and dress pants in pumps. "Wow. Okay..." Minty muttered. "I never knew Monty dated anyone before.. Well..." she looked at Sally. Minty kind of hated that her son kept a relationship from her. "How long were you two together?" Minty asked. Josie smiled answering "A while. Just a few months I guess. I never kept track really." She giggled. Minty nodded then grabbed Sally's hand and smiled. She loved Sally and Sally was perfect for her son. Lightning loved this woman and that ring. Wow. Sally noticed the gaze Minty was giving her and had to ask "Is there something on my face?" Minty shook her head answering "No. You look very nice as always Sally. I'm just so proud of you and Lightning. Come on. Let's see what the officials wind up saying." "I'll come along!" Called Josie as she began to follow. Minty stopped her saying "This is more of a private thing for family. What Lightning does doesn't really concern you honey." Josie stared at Minty with wide eyes and then stared at Sally who seemed just as surprised as her! "Oh.. Yeah, okay. I'll just wait.." Josie muttered. Minty then guided Sally along and made her way to the officials tent...

"I don't think so." Said the official. Lightning quickly whined back with "But I'll be fine! I can race! I am an excellent racer! Please!" "Excellent or not, you are a liability with that wrist. You can't race today Mr. McQueen. I'm sorry." "But this maybe the last time Doc can coach me!" Lightning yelled then slammed his fist down on the table. Forgetting it was broken and pain shot through his entire arm! "Fuck!" He yelped and fell to his knees! The official sighed and apologized once more. "I'm sorry Mr. McQueen... You can't race in your condition." Lightning stood up and Doc lay a hand on his racers shoulder "We can go back home and I'll run some practice laps with you or we can stay and wait until after the race to run a few laps tomorrow." Lightning was angry. He walked out or rather stomped out the official's tent where his Mother and Sally stood. He angrily pointed at Sally snapping "This is all your fault!" "My fault?" She questioned. Lightning got up into her face and snapped "Yes! Because you just had to be where you shouldn't! Women do not belong on the race track! Not women like you!" "Like me!? What the hell does that even mean Lightning!" "It means little pageant princesses don't belong here! If I would have just let those racers be than THIS (holding up his wrist) wouldn't have happened! The only women that should be here are women like Josie who can actually stand up for themselves and take one for the team!" Sally became furious "Than why don't you go back to being with Josephine!" "Because I don't love her, I love you!" Lightning yelled! Sally back with "Than stop yelling at me because you're just angry you can't race today!" "Stop being such a whiny, spoiled princess who needs me to protect her!" "I don't need you to protect me!" Sally snapped! Lightning growled loudly in frustration and shouted "Oh yeah, sure! You're briefcase and lawsuits will really protect you from getting soaked with doctor pepper!" Sally's jaw dropped. "That wouldn't have happened if you let me handle the situation! You stopped me!" "I stopped you!? I stopped them from harassing you!" "By getting violent!?" "That was normal behavior! But me telling on them wasn't! You wanted me to stick up for you, so I did!" "I never asked you to tattle!" "No! You asked me to handle it though!" "I did not!" Sally yelled! Minty then flicked Lightning on his bad wrist. Lightning yelped and stepped back asking "What was that for!?" "Back off and shut up! Both of you! This is absolutely ridiculous! You can't race and that's the end of it Monty. Go to the trailer." "You don't tell me what to do around here Mom." "Go to your trailer now!" Minty yelled and pointed to the thing. Lightning stared at her then at the ground a moment before giving up and walking to his trailer reluctantly. Sally sighed with a frown and Minty turned to her saying "He's upset, he's in pain, he's hurting. Go to him and try to be understanding." "But"-"Yes, he's in the wrong here. Yes, he's being unkind and not thinking of the things he's saying, but he needs you Sally. He will come around and he will apologize. My son loves you more than anything else in this world. Please..." Minty explained and begged. Sally nodded then walked away slowly towards the trailer. Minty sighed and she and Doc stared at each other. Doc frowned and muttered "I was going to coach him one last time." Minty frowned hearing that. It hurt. She took Doc's hand in hers and asked "How about we grab a drink then check on those kids?" Doc agreed and they walked on...

Josie waited for Lightning near his trailer. Lightning saw her and immediately growled "Now is not a good time Josie." Josie crossed her arms and snarled "It's never a good time with you. What did the officials say?" She asked and she walked up to him and licked her finger before using her saliva to wipe up some of the scuffed blood on his face. Lightning sighed answering. "I'm a liability, I can't race." "They just want to keep everyone safe Baby." "I know, I... I know..." Lightning mumbled quietly with disappointment. Josie stared into his eyes and sighed. She missed him, but he was Sally's now. Lightning opened the door of his trailer then began to ask Josie "You want to come in for a drink or something?" Before Josie could answer, Sally walked up and stared at Josie next to Lightning. Sally hated Josie for her beautiful looks, her gorgeous red hair and her sweet southern accent, but.. Josie seemed so nice. Lightning sighed and apologized to his girl. "Sorry I acted like a jerk back there. It wasn't your fault what happened and I'd stick up for you again. I'll always stick up for you Sal. No matter what happens to me for it." Sally frowned and nodded saying "I'm sorry you can't race... I wish I could change the rules for you.." The three stood there quietly and a little awkwardly. Josie stepped aside and finally answered Lightning with "Think I'll pass Baby, but thanks.." she then walked away quietly.

Sally walked up and asked "Can I come in?" Lightning snickered answering "Of course." He walked in with Sally right behind him. She closed the door and asked "How does that wrist feel Stickers?" Stickers... So much better than Baby. Lightning sat down and admitted "Like I'm dying." Sally sat next to him and rubbed his shoulder carefully. "You need to go to the hospital." "Yeah, I know... I just need some pain killers for now really." "I'll get you something." She kissed his cheek and began to stand up, but Lightning stopped her and whined "Come back... Please... Sit with me.." Sally smiled then sat back down next to her boyfriend. Lightning gazed into her eyes as she did his then he leaned close and kissed her lips gently. Then kissed again and again until they began making out softly. Sally placed her hand over his and he jerked away "Ow!" He snapped and held his wrist. Sally gasped and covered her mouth! "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you more!" She explained quickly! Lightning assured her it was fine, but that he did probably need to see a doctor at a hospital...

Lightning walked into the hospital with Sally, Doc, Mack and Minty. Followed by cameras and reporters. They were taken to a back area to wait while Lightning was seen by another doctor...

The doctor came out to the waiting area where Lightning's friends and family waited. Doc instantly asked "How is he?" The doctor sighed and held his clipboard tightly before answering "He'll be fine. I did have to go in and do some minor adjustments." "Wait, surgery?" Sally asked with concern. The doctor nodded then continued. "He should be back and ready to race in three weeks, that's when he can take the splint off. He'll have to miss two more races though.." Doc instantly growled "But that's the first two play off races. He will be disqualified!" "If he can heal up faster by some miracle maybe he won't have to. If he takes it easy, he may be able to push through the pain and only miss the first race of it." Minty then asked "Can we see him?" The doctor smiled answering "He's not being held here long. Just until the anesthesia wears off. You can all wait with him if you'd like?" They all did want to see him. The doctor took the three of them to Lightning's room. He still had an oxygen mask around his face. He looked asleep at the moment. Sally quietly asked the doctor "Is he okay?.." The man chuckled answering "Oh yea, he's just coming out of the pain meds and anesthesia. He's a bit giggly at the moment." "Giggly?" Minty questioned rudely. The doctor sighed answering "You'll just have to see for yourself. It's pretty normal really." Sally walked over to Lightning and placed her hand over his gently and carefully. Lightning opened his eyes almost instantly and looked at her. "You came?" He asked in a higher pitch tone than usual. Sally nodded and giggled some answering "Of course Stickers. Doc and your Mom too." Lightning turned his head slightly more to see them as well then leaned his head back on the pillow, closed his eyes and let out a sigh with a smile. "I am so lucky" Then looked at Sally again and raised a brow asking "Have you, have you always looked so good?" Sally snickered saying "I think it's the drugs talking Lightning." Lightning then looked over his other side to see the Iv in his arm still and the liquid bag above. "Oh shit." He said. His voice cracked a bit even. "Am I high?" He asked his girl. Sally giggled answering "Maybe a little." "Oh shit." Lightning repeated. Minty stepped closer along with Doc and asked her son "Think you feel good right now?" Lightning nodded dramatically, answering "Yes Mam." Minty snickered and shook her head. Doc patted Lightning's shoulder gently and said "You get off this stuff and I'll come by tomorrow so you and I can get some practice in at the track." "Really? You'd do that for me?" Lightning asked. Doc nodded. Lightning began to whine saying "You guys are the best.. I.. I am so lucky to know you." He began to cry. Sally faked a weird smile and asked "Oh Chrysler.. Is he okay?" To Doc. Doc chuckled quietly answering "He's fine. It's just a side effect of the medicine. It will wear off in about twenty hours or so." "Twenty hours of this!?" Sally asked in shock! Lightning stopped crying, sniffled a little and stared asking "Why am I so happy? I.. I feel like I'm in a Disney movie.. Is this, is this true happiness?" Minty fixed her son's hair as she answered "You're on drugs baby." Lightning began to cry again and apologize "I'm so sorry Mama.. I know you told me not to do drugs. It was one time and I was pressured." Sally tried not to laugh, but wound up bursting out laughing. "Oh gosh, I can't. I can't not! I'm so sorry Lightning." She exclaimed as she laughed! Lightning stared at her with such a distraught look in his eyes and asked "Why are you laughing at me? Drugs aren't funny. I, I could like.. Die right now." Sally covered her eyes as she looked away and tried to stop laughing. Minty then explained to her son "It was only a broken wrist Monty. The doctor gave you some medicine to help with the pain." Doc then added "You will be fine though." "So.. I, it's.. Good drugs?" Lightning asked in a whimper. Minty and Doc nodded. Lightning stared at Sally who seemed to stop laughing finally and asked "Aren't you my girlfriend?" Sally nodded answering "I think so. Am I?" She asked as she tried not to laugh already again. Lightning's jaw dropped as he asked "Why are you so mean to me? Mom? Why is my girlfriend so mean to me?" Sally laughed quietly, muttering "Oh chrysler.." Minty giggled a little answering "She's not mean Lightning." "But she's laughing at me and, and.. Why? I don't understand." "That's the drugs baby. You'll be okay." She assured then kissed the side of his head. Lightning stared at the I-v then his wrist and shouted "Shit! Did I race?" He asked. Doc shook his head answering "No, they wouldn't let you with your wrist like that." "Oh, okay." Replied Lightning. He stared at the end of the bed for a moment in silence then looked at his companions and asked "Do you want some drugs to, I.. I think they gave me, gave me too much." Sally snickered answering "No, you-you keep them. You need them more than we do." Lightning nodded replying "Good. I was only testing you because you were so mean and, and I didn't know if maybe like.. You do drugs because you are this big lawyer person and, and those people are scary. Mom, she's scary, you have to watch her." Sally had to take a deep breath to keep from laughing and asked "How on earth am I scary?" Lightning's eyes widened as he answered loudly "Have you seen the sock drawer! Only psychopathtthhhss organize by size, shape and color and, and texture I think. You woman, are a demon or something! Lawyers go to hell, you know that right?" He pointed at her. Sally laughed and didn't mean to, but now Minty laughed too. Lightning looked all kinds of surprised! SHOCKED!

Doc sighed and patted Lightning on the shoulder saying "Why don't you try sleeping this off. Hmm?" Lightning just stared at Doc for a moment. Everyone stared back and listened for the next stupid thing he'd say, but Lightning just lay his head back and nodded muttering "Yeah, okay.." Sally let out a sigh of relief. Minty nudged her asking "You think you'll forget that?" Sally shook her head answering "Not ever." Lightning then looked at them and announced "I just realized I can make a clicking sound with my mouth. Like with my tongue." He then proceeded to 'snap' or 'click' his tongue by the roof of his mouth multiple times. Doc snickered saying "Yeah, I'm gonna go and wait in the waiting room. Have fun with whatever that is." Then he walked out. Lightning grabbed Sally's hand and asked "I love you." Sally smiled replying "I love you to." Lightning smiled warmly up at her then asked "If I was to.. Ask you to be with me forever, would you say yes?" Sally snickered answering "Of course Stickers." Lightning smiled at his Mom saying "See? She says yes, so she does love me. Mom, she loves me." Minty smiled, trying not to laugh as she nodded replying "Oh I know she does Monty, I know." And she really did know. Lightning looked back up at Sally then asked "Can we fuck after this?" Minty looked away instantly muttering "Not one for romance, huh?" Sally patted Lightning's hand gently. "We can talk about that later Lightning." She answered. "For now, you should really rest." "Yeah?" "Yeah." Lightning sighed then leaned back and made himself comfortable. He seem to finally drift a bit, resting. Minty pulled Sally up a chair then said "I'm going to go find Doc and maybe turn in for the night at the motel. You coming?" Sally glanced at Minty then back to Lightning before answering "No, I'm going to stay here with him. I don't want him waking up alone." Minty smiled at that. She loved Sally as her own and Lightning chose well here. "Okay." Replied the Mother then she quietly made her exit. Glancing back one last time at the sight of Lightning in the hospital with a good woman by his side. It made Minty feel secure, warm and fuzzy, proud, and reassured that her son would be taken care of in the future, that her future grandchildren would do just fine...

Minty found Doc in the private waiting area they were waiting in before. "You okay?" She asked. Doc stared at her and sighed before answering "I'm alright." "I know the two of you were looking forward to racing today.." She said as she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. Doc nodded replying "Yeah, these things can and do happen though. I'm going to make sure Ghar and Lou face the full extent of what they did to my racer and whatever they did to Sally prior. If I knew about it sooner, I would have done something about it and maybe this would have never happened." Minty kissed the back of Doc's shoulder saying "You have always looked out for that kid of mine.. Time you let him take care of himself sometimes, let him make his own choices and mistakes." Doc nodded a little, but he would still look out for the kid until the day he died. Doc turned around and gazed down into Minty's eyes. He gently brushed her grey and blonde hair out of her face then kissed her lips softly and tenderly. Resting their foreheads together as their lips broke apart. "I'm flying back to Texas instead of going back to Radiator Springs with you guys." She announced. "I fear the next time I see you will be at the funeral Hud.." Doc sighed and pulled her close, hugging and holding her as he comforted her. It would be the truth. The next time Minty would see Doc, he would be in the beautiful coffin he had purchased for himself...