the next few weeks passed by in a blur to Lightning. he took his story to the media, and more importantly a therapist, and told everyone what he had went through in the hopes that he could stop some childs' heartache. It never got easier to retell the story, but he had friends there to help and support him on the road to recovery. people applauded him for his bravery to speak out against child abuse and share his story, and some... some didn't believe.

Donahue McQueen had a large fan base as he had been one of the best racers of his time and when Lightning had first taken an interview about it there had been outrage. they had called him a liar, a slanderer, and a cheapskate. They had ridiculed his story and mocked him openly on their websites and occasionally to his face. They had said it was simply a way to gain more positive publicity. they said that since Lightning had turned over a new leaf he needed to get rid of the bad past he held onto, and what better way than this? but their accusations were weak and held little ground. Strip weathers, of "The King" as most people knew him, had actually called him up and asked to talk to him about it.

It had been weird being invited to Strips house and telling the King his story, but Lightning had vowed to himself that he would keep silent no longer! it had been decidedly more difficult to talk to Strip than lightning had thought it would be, but what did he expect? it was going to be hard. He was just glad Strip wasn't one of the men who thought he was lying. He commemorated lightnings courage, and explained bluntly that he wanted to start a charity for his cause. He had known someone a long time ago who needed a safe place to go, and Strip wanted to start something that could give them that safe place. Lightning had agreed wholeheartedly and given strip his personal email and phone number as a contact and left to go to another interview.

But doc was worried. He always seemed to be worried now a day... the racer was running himself ragged. interview after interview then off to plan with strip then all-nighters pulled with the intention of writing a book on how to recognize abuse victims and how to handle the situations and it was killing him! he downed coffee and painkillers in a ridiculous amount, he wasn't even fully healed yet! Doc knew he was being a bit irrational... Lightning knew his body better than he did, and a real doctor had cleared him for stuff like this, but Doc still sat on the sidelines and chewed his nails into stubs...

Sally had been supportive as ever, but he could see even she was running thin trying to keep up with Lightning. He was trying to distract himself and she was trying to help him heal. She sat up with him while he wrote and rewrote and dragged him into bed when he could barley stand. She brought him meals when he forgot and re wrapped his woulds when he neglected too. She stayed when he needed her and she gave him space when he wanted it. he was lucky to have her, and he didn't even realize how lucky he was. Zooming around pushing himself so hard that he would give himself headaches and she was always there with Tylenol and a good meal. Jeez, couldn't he just slow down and heal?

His therapist had admitted to him in private that he wasn't doing the best when it came to facing his problems and dealing with them. He was bottling up his emotions and he was going to burst. Finn had tried to talk to him, and so had Mater, but they hadn't made much head way... He was hurting. He was reeling from the loss of a family member. No matter how crummy his dad had been, he was still Lightnings Father, and it hurt him on some level knowing he would never see him again. Lightning was sitting across Flo's diner in a booth alone, reading something on his laptop. By the look on his face it wasn't good. He stood up abruptly and swiped the machine off his desk. He marched out the door and disappeared. Doc followed him in curiosity.

He found him out back, with the shattered remains of a laptop scattered around his feet. He was breathing hard and his eyes were red like he had been rubbing them, trying to keep tears at bay.

"Are you alright?" Doc asked cautiously, not wanting to provoke the boy.

Lightning scrubbed his face angrily, "I Don't know." he huffed out before fully putting his head in his hands, "I don't know." He repeated quieter.

Doc shifted forward and engulfed him in his arms. This moment had been long over due, and Lightning sagged in his arms as the weight of keeping himself distracted finally settled onto his shoulders. His body shook and Doc felt as if something had changed within the moments he had been standing over a broken computer to in his arms. it was like a open wound across their relationship was finally beginning to heal. Donahue's death and Lightnings recovery had made him distant, but right now it felt like everything was falling into place once more.

"Why'd you destroy the laptop?" He asked after an eternity.

Lightning shifted his head to look at the wreckage in an uninterested manner, "They were saying bad stuff about you." He admitted sadly.

"They were saying- Doc they were saying you were the one that hurt me." He buried his face back into Doc chest, seeking comfort, "They were saying I was just trying to cover up your injuries using my dad."

Doc shook his head sadly, "I wish it'd been me."

Lightning jerked away slightly but Doc quickly backtracked when he realized his mistake, "No, no, that's not what I meant! Sorry." He patted Lightning head awkwardly, " I meant that i wish it'd been me that'd finally ended that son of a bitch. Finn had a better shot than I did, but i sure do wish i'd draw my gun faster."

Lightning pulled away and nodded at him, smiling slightly, "I wish it had been you too. It would have been..." He screwed up his face looking for the right words, "...Poetic, I guess. My real dad killing my fake dad. Sounds like something Shakespeare would write."

Doc smiled warmly down at Lightning, who had just called him his real dad... he had called him his dad! His father! His pop, papa, padre... Calm down Doc, calm down. Play it cool, like you always do!

"C'mon, why don't we go 'round the track?" He pulled his son away from the glass bits of the computer and smiled.

There was still a lot of work to be done. He still had a long way to go in recovery, but it seemed he had finally given in to the healing process... and if he struggled, he had his friends... his family there to help him through it.

last chapter! The end! :) im glad Lightning is happy with his dad :)))