I've gotten absolutely nowhere on the chapter I had been trying to write, so we'll go back to it at a later date. Instead we're skipping ahead to just over two years after the first article came out. There were other distractions as well, they may or may not appear at a much later date. Anyway here's a chapter that's been sitting around almost finished for a bit.

Emily stepped out onto the back deck where she knew Jesse was hiding. She didn't sit beside him, she wasn't going to be outside long.

"Jesse, daddy and I have been talking, and I think you should hear him out." He looked up to answer her.

"Em, you know how I feel about your father's proposals." She rested her hand on his arm, giving it a squeeze.

"I know, and you've let the entire world know how bitter you still are about past events and now the press. You shouldn't let your bitterness stop you from taking part in something that you love though. You love racing, and this is just a different way to be a bit more hands on and interactive with the sport, than you have been in years. Just please, listen to what he has to say? Hmm?"

"Alright, for you I will."

"Thank-you." She gave his arm another squeeze before giving him a kiss.

"He's all yours daddy." She gave her father a hug and a kiss on the cheek as she headed back inside.

"Thank-you my dear." He came outside after hugging her back. "I believe you know what I'm going to ask..." Edward started as he sat down in front of his son-in-law.

"I do, but I told Emily I'd listen." He crossed his arms, having put down the paper he had been occupying himself with.

"Good, good." He rubbed his hands together. "Jesse, I want you and Emily to take over for me; together. On a trial basis at first, so there's no pressure on either of you."

"Do you really think that will be a good idea? I have no doubt that Emily would do well at such, But I just had that letter published where I criticized the past administration, including you-"

"All of us deserved that Jesse. We severely mishandled everything from the beginning of that race and after." Jesse started shaking his head before he was finished speaking.

"No, you don't, you cared, same with Joe Moore. I've also claimed that I'm a doctor first and foremost now. How do you think people are going to take that? It will seem hypocritical. I'm sorry Edward, but I don't think I want to go through the press wringer again."

"We will stress that you that you are giving this a try, because you have been requested to do so by your aging and slowly ailing father-in-law, who has been wanting you to do so for years. It won't be like you're doing so alone. Emily will be working with you, and we won't be throwing you into the deep end. Joe and I will help guide the two of you in the beginning. You've always been a smart lad with a good head on his shoulders. I had asked Joe if he would take my place, but he is happy with where he is."

"I don't know, it's been a long time since I've had much to do with that world." He stared at his yard, away from his father-in-law.

"Jesse, I know one of the biggest things that has held you back before, was that you wanted to keep your anonymity, but since that is no longer possible, there's no reason you couldn't do it now. You can't hide the media anymore son."

"Sir, I'm a doctor, with a smattering of law thrown in. I've been out of that world, for over 30 years now. With all that's happened over the last couple of years, do you think anyone will take kindly to Em and I coming in like you suggest?"

"They might not, but after this mess, I am not handing it over to Alexander. I'm not giving him the chance to mishandle it more than he already has. All I'm asking, is that you and Emily give it a try, then decide."

oOoOoOo

He couldn't believe he had let his father-in-law convince him to give it a try. So, here he was, sitting in his car with Emily, dreading to go in.

"Jesse, we can't stall too long. We do have to be upstairs for our introductory meeting." He tore his eyes away from the building to look at her.

"I know; but Em, last time I was in any Piston admin buildings, was in the 50's. It wasn't a good or pleasant experience."

"You were there for a different reason then, than you are now."

"You're right. Last time I was here; as such, I was here as a driver being turned away. Now, I'm a doctor, with a bitter grudge; who has no business returning after having nothing to do with Piston Cup for years. I still don't see how or why your father thinks this is going to work. I feel like there's going to be a lot of bitterness over this move, a lot of people who'll want to see us crash and burn."

"Quit being so dramatic Jesse, you're just nervous. For as many people who'll want to see us fail, there will be at least twice as many who want to see us succeed. We have daddy's full support and everyone knows we're just giving it a try to see if we like it; which I think you will. I think we both will. Maybe doing this will help you finish work through that bitter grudge."

"Do you really think we're going to have as many supporters as naysayers Em?" He raised an eyebrow at her.

"I do. And I know for a fact, that Joe Moore will be one of them. He's been wanting to talk to you for years. I know the two of you get along or at least used to."

"He's respectable, he didn't say anything at Lyn's wedding."

"We'll get to see more of Lyn and Strip this way too, and that's always a good thing. Besides, I don't care what you say, how you say it, or how you feel about it, you are still Jesse Hudson, number 51, Fabulous Hudson Hornet, a three time Piston Cup champion, who ran into me and yet managed to not break my ankle. If anyone deserves to make a comeback to this sport, in any way, it's you. Now, let's go show how right everyone is about us being the golden couple of racing."

"Only because we shouldn't be late."

"Then let's go."

oOoOoOo

He joined his arm with hers, once he had helped her out of the car. That's how they remained as they walked through the halls, up to Edward's office. He doubted there was a single person in the building who couldn't recognize them.

As such, as they made their way up, people were staring at them. Most just glanced as they passed and had to take a second look; others, openly stared in awe, though those were mainly from those who were younger than them. There were a few who glared in some kind of contempt, or hostility; while others were poker faced.

He supposed he would have to get used to those stares.

It didn't take long for the stares to die down, once people began to realize he was becoming a regular fixture. At first he had felt like a specimen under a microscope, people waiting to see him fail.

Over the first year Edward had sat him down once a month to see how he was doing, how he was liking it and if he had decided if they were going to keep up with it. Emily and him had talked about it as well and they both agree that they were enjoying it and would stick with it.

They shared an office and once they decided to stay, Emily insisted on displaying his Piston Cups in their office as well as duplicates of his diplomas and license to say he was still a practising doctor.

Before their second year was over, Edward had felt comfortable enough to leave it in their hands, stepping down into retirement. There was some unease in the offices right after that, but it quickly became clear that he and Em didn't need her father to babysit them. They could handle themselves better than Alex ever did.

In fact, most of the lingering resentment came from Alex and not others in the office. They had gained the respect of the community, even after his own scathing remarks on the old administration.

Everything fell into a rhythm as the ever-changing sport got used to the newest set of changes.

As the years passed, they grew with the sport and collectively mourned Edward when he passed. It was only a short time after that, Alex claimed he was retiring, that he didn't care to continuing to work without his father.

Though it didn't stop him from hanging around the offices in an unofficial way. That didn't bother him or Emily, it just meant he had no legal say in what was happening with the sport.

He and Em did get to see Lyn and Strip more, as they often went to the races, spending the off season back in Radiator Springs.

As it turned out, it wasn't so bad being back in the racing world.