AN: I've actually updated all three stories? What? I hope this is a good sign.


The couple had returned to the house and spent the afternoon allowing Sally to get settled. She'd been given a room upstairs, and because Lightning still couldn't quite do the whole step thing, Doc had shown her around. Sally hadn't been that surprised when he explained her room had once belonged to his sister. He'd held the door open and looked it over as she'd thrown her things on the bed. At his silence she commented that Lightning had filled her in on just about everything they'd done since arriving, and was her way of letting him know he didn't need to explain anything, not for a second time. He'd only grinned vaguely and let her know they'd all be downstairs if she needed anything, but she could tell he appreciated her words, spoken and unspoken.

She'd gotten herself settled and changed out of the clothes she'd traveled in and looked about the room silently for a moment. She wasn't about to open drawers or start snooping, but there were more than enough pictures on the walls and dresser for her to look over. She'd take more time to do that later, but paused briefly to appreciate the framed image across from the bed and near the window. It seemed like Smokey had moved the majority of the things related to his siblings to this room. It couldn't have been used in the last ten years by the looks of things. It wasn't in disrepair or in need of dusting, that aspect looked like it was at least well maintained, but it was dated when compared to the rest of the house.

A black and white photo of the Hornet had been blown up to at least a 17"x24" size, the three Hudson siblings leaned against it, she supposed from oldest to youngest. Matted and framed, it obviously held a special place in someone's heart. She doubted Lightning had seen it, she'd have to ask permission to take it off the wall to show him.

Sally spent the afternoon listening to more stories, Lightning catching her up and adding more details to the fragmented, abridged version, he'd given her of the happenings of the week. She was finally able to put faces to names she'd been hearing all day as well, as the former Piston drivers Lightning had been talking about joined them at the old farmhouse. She was vaguely reminded of home, but there was a different feel to it that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Lightning had sat in the corner, fidgeting slightly until finally looking up toward her and asking if she'd like to go out again. When he was able to drive he would have just dragged her along but seeing as he was dependent on someone else to handle that, he felt a little selfish just telling them when and where they'd be taking him.

His voice had been lowered and the conversation was just between them, but she'd nodded and asked Doc for the keys again. He'd only paused briefly in his own conversation and tossed them across the table.

They'd offered quick comments of goodbye and got back in to the rental car, Sally was soon running back to the porch though. "He said he forgot what he needed."

"Ok." Doc glanced away from the group to give her his attention.

"But I don't know what he needed."

He looked once toward the car and back toward Sally with forced patience. "He didn't tell you?"

The group gathered on the porch watched the exchange with amusement as the conversation ping ponged back and forth.

Sally finally threw her hands in the air. "We got all the way out there, he got in the car and suddenly started freaking out. He said, and I quote-"

Doc couldn't help but smirk when her lawyer terminology came forward, despite still having no idea what she was talking about.

"-go let Doc know, that I forgot what I needed."

Her statement was met with silence, obviously nothing was registering.

"So what does he need there, Doc." Smokey asked with a smirk.

Doc pushed himself up from the chair and rounded the old table, muttering lowly. "How am I supposed to know, I don't always speak his language."

"Really? I thought all drivers had some kind of code."

"Funny."

So instead of making it a quick trip out to the car, taking whatever it was that Lightning was so worried about, out to him. Doc was forced to figure out just what the kid was trying to convey in the first place. He opened the passenger door of the Escalade and fixed Lightning with a look, his arm draped over the door.

"I might be old, but I'm not a windtalker. What are you talking about?"

"It's- well it's a box."

"Uh huh."

"That holds things...?"

"Your incredible talent for detail astounds me." He glanced back at the house and sighed. "Why don't you tell me where to find this box that holds things."

After more explanation that really was no help at all, Doc finally cut him off. "Where is it?"

With a muttered response he finally returned to the house, shaking his head when the others asked what he was supposed to be retrieving and he still had no real answer. He was soon back out the door though and Smokey was struck with memories of any number of times he was rushing through that same screen door on a mission of some kind, running late, needing to be somewhere or just too energetic for his own good.

Doc tossed the whole bag to the kid with a sigh as Sally was returning to the driver's side. "Take the whole backpack, Hot Rod, and don't screw it up."

Lightning smiled broadly. "Thanks."

"MmmHmm..." He grinned and offered a wink before he hit the door panel twice and turned back toward the house.


Sally smirked before looking back toward Lightning. "So, you got what you needed now?"

He grinned and nodded. "Yeah."

"Where to?"

"I dunno, really. I thought maybe we could just go for a drive."

She tilted her head and narrowed her eyes with a smirk. "You are such a drama queen."

"What? Why?"

He looked adorable holding that backpack like it were some kind of precious metal, and she could only laugh at him. "All this cloak and dagger tell Doc I forgot what I need. Doc had no idea what you were talking about, you ask me to go back out with you and you don't even have a destination in mind!"

"Yeah well..." He suddenly looked nervous. "I just wanted to spend time with you, you've seen all there is to see of Thomasville."

She sighed and had to agree before thinking of something. "I did see signs for a state park on the way here though."

Lightning didn't reply, he only fired up the GPS.


Doc shook his head in exasperation at the expectant looks he received when he finally returned to the porch.

"What was he looking for?"

"A ring." He huffed as he glanced over his shoulder as the Escalade left. "And if I find out he was stupid enough to pop the question somewhere like that beaten down track I'm gunna break his other leg."


The state park was surprisingly close and before either of them knew it, Sally was parking the car and hopping out to get a look at the trails, she could see sunlight glinting off what was most likely a lake through the trees and took a deep breath before turning toward Lightning.

"What are you doing?"

"N-nothing!" He fumbled with the backpack, dropping it once before picking it up and throwing it in to the car.

"Are you okay?" She raised a brow. "You're all jumpy."

"Fine." He nodded and closed the door quickly before catching up to her.

They walked arm in arm down to the water, the area they came across was pockmarked with large boulders and they sat in the sun for a while until Sally kicked her shoes off to wade in the water. Lightning stayed where he was, not needing to overdo it any more than he had that week and was content to brace his hands on the large rock behind him.

"You should ask Doc about this place." Sally said suddenly, looking up at him and brushing her hair behind her ears. "If he grew up this close I'm sure this was another popular hangout."

"I'm sure it was."

"We should organize a picnic down here!" She kicked at the water, obviously thrilled and quite pleased with her idea.

They kicked the idea around for a while before falling in to a comfortable silence. Sally returned to the large rock they'd claimed and sat with her knees drawn up, overlooking the body of water. It wasn't Ornament Valley, that held the number one place in her heart but she was beginning to think she could make some room, especially with how the sun glinted and reflected off the ripples created by the breeze. It wasn't too different from other lakes, she figured anyway, it's not like she'd visited many in her life but she decided right there it was going to be her favorite, if only because of the look on Lightning's face as they relaxed.

She blinked and looked toward him when she heard him speak.

"Hey, Sal."

He looked calm, but there was an underlying energy to his tone and movements that caught her attention. "Yeah."

"Could you stand up."

"Ok..." Her brows drew together and she got up from the rock.

"Come here."

"You are so lazy." She huffed in amusement.

"I have a bum knee what do you want." He grinned up at her, hoping to be as charming as possible and held her hands in his. He kissed the back of her hand before speaking again. "You remember when we first met."

"How can I forget."

"I thought you were my lawyer."

"I am your lawyer now."

"True, but you don't have a timeshare in Tahiti."

"No I don't have a timeshare in Tahiti."

"We could get you one."

"I like my corner of the world in Radiator Springs, thank you."

He smiled again fondly. "Yeah...me too."

Lightning sat up straighter and moved to the edge of the rock, looking up at her with one of the most sincere expressions she had ever seen.

"Sal, I thought I knew who I was and what I wanted before I barreled in to Radiator Springs. Looking back on it, I can't believe how self absorbed and selfish I was. That week, and well- ever since really, has taught me how I should have been living up until that point. I'm thankful every day that I ended up there, for the family it gave me, but more importantly, it gave me you."

"Oh, Stickers." She leaned forward and brushed her hand through his hair, smiling warmly. "I was always glad you'd decided to stay."

"So I was wondering-" He shifted to reach in to his pocket. "And I really wish I could do this the right way but if I mess up this leg anymore I'm sure I'll get yanked out of next season." She was still standing and he, well...wasn't, so it still worked out.

"Sally Carrera, you've been patient with me for so many years, you've shown me what I should have always known in the first place. You keep me going, you're my best friend and confidant-"

She was crying, and he hoped it was a good sign.

"Do you think you can be patient with me for a while longer?"

He barely was able to finish his question, she'd begun nodding halfway through and leaned forward to kiss him quickly.

"Absolutely. I've been patient this long haven't I?" She brushed his hair back and looked him in the eye. "I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever ask."


AN2: Thanks to AllisonReader for some of this! :D