Author's note: Here is it, my first fanfiction. I hope everyone who decides to read it enjoys. Just a note of confirmation, this story IS completed. I'm just uploading it slowly as I proof read through each chapter. I should upload once a week at least and I'm estimating that there are about 17 chapters. If anything should happen to me, you can try to convince AdventureLife to upload the rest of it. On that note, I'd like to thank AdventureLife for letting me use this account to upload! I hope you all enjoy, and if you'd like to review but not publicly, you can send me a PM.

As far as ratings go this story is rated K+. There will be action in the story, but nothing worse than the Cars movies. As a warning, there will be Cars 2 references, so if you're trying to pretend that movie never happened, you might not like this story. This is also a bit of an AU as Doc is still alive.

Disclaimers: Along with the main characters, characters like Roman Dunes are not mine. I found them on the Pixar wikia (under Piston Cup Racers).

"And that wraps up the second race of this year's racing season. And what a race!"

"I'll say, Bob. Wow, I thought racer 21 had it in the bag but 95 swooped in last minute and took the victory from right under his nose!"

"That's one way of putting it, Darrell. After initial concerns over the Grand Prix McQueen has made quite a comeback!"

"He's not the only one, Bob. Let's no forget Cal Weathers, Dinoco's new racer. He came an impressive third this time around."

"Absolutely, Darrell. He and McQueen already seem to have some sort of friendly rivalry between them. It'll be exciting to see how it plays out!"

It had been another exciting race for the Radiator Springs crew. As soon as McQueen had come off the track his crew had cheered from the pits, congratulating him and all talking at once.

"Sick moves, man!"

"Well done, soldier!"

"Guido and I could not be more proud!"

"Alright, alright, that's enough of that," Doc stated, rolling through between Guido and Sarge. "Kid, you took a risk out there."

"I know, I know," Lightning admitted. "But it paid off! Did you see the rookie's face!"

"You ain't exactly a veteran yourself, Rookie," Doc reminded him.

"Doc, this my sixth year," Lightning raised a brow. "Sounds like I'm here to stay."

"You're still a rookie until I say so," Doc said firmly, his glare making the other racers behind McQueen hang back before congratulating the winner.

McQueen looked and away and pouted slightly, annoyed that Doc was putting a damper on the mood.

"Yes, Sir," he replied quietly.

Doc melted slightly at seeing the kid's pouty expression and relented.

"Go on now, enjoy your victory," Doc said. "You did well today."

Lightning's expression brightened and he turned quickly, leaving his pit crew in smoke as he chatted and laughed with the other cars about the race.

"Come on," Doc told the pit crew. "Let's get out of here before the reporters swarm us."

The crew followed Doc back towards the pits, but spread out once they reached there. Luigi and Guido immediately went to Kevin Shiftright's pit crew, and compared notes about tires. They had formed quite the acquaintance with 121's pit crew after finding out the head of the tire changers had worked for a while in Italy. As a result, they laughed, conversed and argued something terrible.

Sarge was waved over by Roman Dunes, the crew chief of Todd Marcus, number 123. The former National Guard rapid deployment specialist and Sarge had hit in off like 'two tornadoes in a trailer park,' as Mater would say. Dunes was without a doubt the toughest pit crew chief on the track (and dare Doc say) the toughest pit crew chief he had ever seen. Him and Sarge talked whenever they could between the busy racers and it did Sarge good to swap stories with another veteran.

Fillmore wandered over to Ernest Raykes, pit crew chief of Ernie Gearson. Funny, Doc thought. I didn't know they knew each other. But he shook it off and headed back to his ramp. He drove onto it slowly and took a deep breath. He never expected to come back here, and here he was. And he was actually glad for it, but not just for himself. He was here for Lightning and because of his previous fame and menacing air, most cars gave him a wide breach. But his friends... They were doing so well here. They still loved their life in Radiator Springs, but this opportunity with Lightning gave them a purpose and an opportunity to make friends outside of Radiator Springs. Although the whole of Radiator Springs would always be a tight family, it was good for the cars to get a break from each other occasionally.

Doc watched from the ramp as Lightning stuck his tire out and went 'cachow' for the cameras. He smiled to himself.

"Kids got a lot of spirit," he said quietly to himself.

Pushing his way through the crowds of bustling cars behind the pits, Strip Weathers made his way slowly to the Rusteze pit stop. Tex had decided he wanted to invite the Rusteze sponsors to the Dinoco tent after the race for a celebration of the new track. They weren't the only sponsors invited of course, but Tex had wanted to deliver the invitation personally. Strip knew the oil-baron well enough to know that he was keeping a business eye on the company - and their young racer. Tex had been a little disappointed when McQueen had declined the much coveted Dinoco offer and decided to stick with his old sponsors instead, but that only made Tex more determined to get the racer. And knowing Tex, he eventually would. In the meanwhile, they were trying Cal Weathers-Strip's nephew. Tex had actually asked Strip to reconsider retiring for the umpteenth time, but of course Strip had declined. Lynda just wouldn't have it after that last crash.

Retired as he was, the King was still a very popular figure on the circuit. It was never his intention to leave the racing world entirely - Just to get off the track. Pit crew members still nodded respectfully to him as he passed them by and he still received gaping looks from the rookies. But with years of practice and good old politeness, he was able to maneuver his way skillfully past any interest fans.

Strip finally reached booth 95 and rolled onto the asphalt. The Fabulous Hudson was still there on the ramp. Good, that was who he wanted to talk to. Although he was a seasoned ex-racer, Strip still had a lot of admiration for the legend. The Hudson Hornet had been an inspiration to him growing up, he had been to a lot of people. He honestly hadn't even seen him the first time he returned to the track as McQueen's crew chief - he'd been too focused on the last race. Lightning had been quick to make introductions after the crash and Doc had nodded to the King and congratulated him on a successful final race. Lynda had teased him about his shocked expression during his check up.

Hudson heard Strip roll up beside him and backed carefully off the ramp.

"Weathers," he nodded to the light blue car. "What can I do for you?"

Straight to the point. It reminded Strip of his father.

"Doc Hudson," Strip greeted. "Tex is having a gathering at the Dinoco tent to celebrate the first race at the new track."

"Huh," Doc said. "Didn't he help build this thing?" He nodded to the grand track all around them.

"There were some anonymous donations," Strip replied. Hey, the track was in Dallas. Tex couldn't let the biggest track in his home state look crummy, now could he.

"Hm..." Doc replied. "Tell him we'll be there." The old Hudson hornet slowly drove away but commented,

"Your driver looked good out there today."

Strip took that as a hint to follow.

"He's a bit overwhelmed but he'll soon settle in."

"Tell him to watch his corners," Doc said. "He tends to tense up at them."

"Will do," Strip replied, surprised by Doc's willingness to help other racers improve. Make no mistake - Doc was here for McQueen and would only tell his rookie all of the good tricks, but he was also a bit of a teacher at heart and would often give advice. In return he would only ask for a good race to keep McQueen on the tips of his tires.

"Good. How's retirement treating you?" Doc shot the racer a sideways glance. Honestly, witnessing the King's crash had shaken Doc a little more then he liked to admit. It reminded him so very much of his own crash. But McQueen's action of pushing the King over the finish line had thrown those thoughts far back in Doc's head.

"As well as I expected," Strip replied. "Tex's been good to me. Insists on keeping me around the track instead to keep me sharp."

"Racing'll never leave you forever," Doc told the younger car. "Hot Rod proved that when he raced into my town and destroyed my road. Now I'm back here."

Doc stopped as they reached the area where the trucks were mingling.

"Mack," he called. The Semi turned to face him.

"Hiya Doc! Congrats on the win!" The truck called cheerfully.

"Dinoco's been kind enough to invite us to their tent," Doc informed him. "Tell the others."

"Sure thing," the truck grinned at the thought of being able to see Gray, the Dinoco truck again. Spying Weathers, he said, "Hey Mr. The King. Be sure to thank your boss for the invite. He has the best oil in this whole business."

"I will," Strip replied. "Where's your young racer by the way?"

"Oh, McQueen. I reckon he's back in his trailer if he's done with the reporters. I'll go tell him."

"No need," Strip said, turning towards the direction of the trailers. "I'll congratulate the boy."

"Hey, thanks!" Mac called out. As soon as Strip was out of earshot he commented, "What a guy."

Doc agreed in his mind but saw no need to verbalize his thoughts. Instead he turned towards the Rusteze tent to see Rusty and Dusty trying not to stumble over their words while talking to Tex.

"Come on, Mac," the old racecar said. "Let's go help those two before they sell this company to that billionaire."

It took Strip almost 40 minutes to reach McQueen's trailer. The racetrack was absolutely gigantic and completely brand new. Although Tex had given him a grand tour of most of the highlights, the area where the trucks were parked had not been on the agenda. It seemed the retired racer was not the only one who was having problems maneuvering his way through the chaos. Dudley Spare, one of Billy Oilchanger's pit crew, had almost dropped a tire on one of the newer pit crew mates. This resulted in a huge argument between the two little forklifts which Strip had to side step.

Truth be told, Weathers was feeling a little anxious by the time he reached number 95's trailer. The 500-lap race had started a little late and as a result had ended as the sun was starting to set. It was dusk at the moment, and further away he heard the blare of music from the Dinoco tent. He hoped he would be able to make it back without getting lost. McQueen's trailer was parked by itself as most of the other drivers had moved their trailers. He saw the trailer door open and heard McQueen talking eagerly.

"Love you too, Sally," he chuckled. "Alright, tell Mater we'll go cow tipping again once I get home."

Strip smiled as he rolled up to the trailer. It must be a girlfriend of McQueen's. He vaguely remembered a blue Porsche last year close to the red racer. He drove up to the back of the trailer and Lightning turned as he saw him.

"Oh, hey Mr. the King," he said. "How you doing?"

"Not too bad, Lightning," Strip answered. "That was some good racing out there today."

"Thanks," the race car replied, smiling slightly at the compliment. "But you didn't drive all the way out here just to tell me that?"

"Right you are, son," Strip replied. The kid was learning from Doc. "Tex is having a get-toge..."

He was interrupted as McQueen looked behind him and yelled, "Watch out!"

The blue car didn't have time to respond as he was suddenly rammed into from behind. He winced as his back-left axle screeched under the pressure, still not entirely fixed from his crash. His front slammed into the side of McQueen's ramp and he managed to turn his tires last minute. He got a nasty scratch on his paint job but managed to avoid any damage on his engine.

"Hey! Who are you guys!" McQueen yelled. His powerful engine roaring, he raced into the side of the black Ford Raptor that had rammed into the King. His speed aided him enough to tilt the car slightly, but the heavier Ford didn't budge.

Lightning turned to see two other Ford raptors rolling out of the shadows.

"You guys aren't security," he said nervously, noting the security badges on their side doors. The trucks didn't say anything but come forward threateningly as McQueen nervously backed onto the ramp.

"Get out of here, son," Strip commanded, making a tight turn to look at the other cars.

"What, no!" The racer said, defiantly. "I'm not leaving you!"

"You may not have a choice," the blue car said, and ignoring the pain in his read axel, he revved his engine as hard as he could before releasing his clutch. Skid marks stained the grass as he raced towards the two Raptors on the left. The Raptors didn't expect his sudden attack and they certainly didn't expect the hard-left turn as the King dug his tires into the dirt. Hooking part of his fin into the grill of one of the Raptors, he drove as hard as he could so that the two trucks slammed into one another.

"Go!" He shouted to the stunned Lightning McQueen. The red racer got the hint and took off like a bullet out of a gun. He raced for the gap Strip had created and sped through, a cry for help on the tip of his tongue. For Mack, Sarge, Doc, anyone. But a small blue blur slammed into his left side hard enough for him to spin out of control. He tried to regain control, but a tire block had been slammed onto his back tire. The last thing McQueen saw was a flash of a blue Ford fiesta and his head was slammed into the back of the first Raptor that had attacked the King. Light exploded in his brain and his eyes jerked closed. The last thing he murmured before passing out was just,

"Don't hurt us."