So, back to the Slip for a little bit and then it will be done for the time being. Here's some Doc and Lightning fluff-ish.
He had brought the kid with him to the office. It had been a couple months since he had lost his mother and thought the kid could use getting out of the house in a way that wasn't school related; plus he had to put an appearance in there anyway.
He figured that Lightning would probably find it interesting even if it was just the offices.
Lightning had followed him around like a well trained puppy throughout the day. On occasion he'd ask a few questions, clarifying what was going on. They had had lunch in his and Emily's shared office, away from the prying eyes in the building for a little bit, before moving on to do other things.
He had seen Joe watching the two of them throughout the day. Probably trying to figure out who the kid was and why he was letting him follow him. Though he left them be.
He and Lightning were back in his office at the end of the day, getting ready to pack up. They were some of the last ones in the building, making it fairly quiet.
"Uncle Jesse do you think I could do my job shadowing project for school here?" That question proved his earlier assumption.
"Wouldn't you rather be track side? Strip could probably take you for a day."
"Really?"
"I'm sure he would." He saw Joe passing by the door and motioned him to come in, he and the kid might as well meet. Joe had probably already figured some of it out anyways, he might as well get the real story.
Even though he was motioned to come in Joe knocked first.
"Come on in Joe, got someone here you might as well meet. This is Aaron McQueen, an aspiring driver once he's done school. Lightning, this is Joe Moore. He's been around this sport longer than I have. He was there when I started and hadn't taken a break from it all like I had."
Lightning stuck out his hand, not having to wait long for Joe to shake it.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Moore."
"You as well Aaron, or do you go by Lightning more?"
"By Lightning."
"Well Lightning, that seems like a fitting name for an aspiring driver."
"Uhh? Thanks." Joe just smiled back at him.
"I've got some business to discuss, nothing confidential, so you can listen in if you want." They started talking business for a couple minutes after the introductions. Once the kid got bored and moved out of hearing range, they lowered their voices.
"He's a polite kid."
"His mother did a good job of raising him."
"Oh?"
He moved a touch closer to Joe, watching Lightning study the things on the wall.
"His past year hasn't been an easy one. Right before his birthday last year, we came across him being accused by Alex of trying to break into his room. The kid didn't know who his father was, and Alex was trying to cover his tracks."
He paused for a moment. "The kid's born in '84."
He only spoke again when he knew the importance of that year registered on Joe's face.
"Alex tried to avoid admitting he's the kid's father, though he knew he was. His mother confirmed it."
He took a heavy breath. "Then to top it all off, he just lost his mother a couple of months ago due to a drunk driver. Em and I have become his guardians."
"At least he's got the two of you then. It makes sense as to why Emily and Lynda were so worked up when you got back that time." Joe was looking a bit harder at the kid now. Luckily he was currently studying his three Piston Cups.
"I'm starting to think the only reason Alex has children in the first place is so that Em and I could be parents. That's now 3 out of 4 of his kids we've ended up raising to some extent. This one's even named after me."
"All those articles, to hide him." Joe shook his head. "I always knew he was up to something, the only thing I got out of him the one day I confronted him was that it was to humiliate you, for daring to take his place." He rolled his eyes. "Emily's really done with Alex now isn't she?"
"Doesn't even refer to him as her brother anymore if she can help it. You'll probably be seeing more of him around now, he'll be coming back to Radiator Springs once he's done with school. We'll see you around Joe."
"See you Jesse." Joe shook his hand before leaving the office.
He clapped a hand on the kid's shoulder. "Alright there kiddo, ready to go?"
"You bet." He draped his arm around Aaron's shoulders as they left the office, grateful the day out of the house seemed to brighten the kid from where he had been.