I can't believe it… This story was the reason why I joined Fan fiction and now…it's over. I had this story for about three years and now it's finally complete… that's a deep moment in my book…

FYI: if you are reading this and HAVE NOT REVIEWED PLEASE DO!!!! It won't hurt you and it helps me write more stories! Please Reviews are very important to me!

Another FYI: Any of you that are fans of 'Life Rings' There WILL be another one! Just keep your eye out.

Life Rings:

Chapter 15: What freedom feels like.

Sheriff sighed as he finished the last engraving on the stone. "Well I think that should do it." He said as he rolled back from the two head stones that were placed in the shade underneath a willow tree. "I haven't had to use these tools in a long time," Sheriff said as he put away the chisel and hammer away in his own little tool box. "Let's just hope we don't need to use it for quite some time."

Kendal stood in silence as she bowed her head slowly at sheriff in thanks.

Sheriff threw on a soft smile as he came up and gave her a light embrace, "take your time." He said softly as he left her be beneath the old willow tree. The wood shaving trail that was put in recently led from the road to the little memorial place in the middle of the woods.

Sheriff rolled up to the curb of the road and for a second he thought there was an emergency by the presents of the small group in front of him. But Sheriff saw who was there, and thought otherwise.

"How she doing?" Hudson asked Sheriff with a very even tone. Ever since that night, Kendal hasn't said a word since they got back. Anyone that knew her, was concerned, thus explained the group.

"Well, she didn't say anything, but she was grateful for the head stones." Sheriff spoke with a bit of disappointment in his voice. "I'm sure she'll turn around."

Sheriff patted Doc's side in farewell as he head towards the town, leaving him, Quinn, Aero to sit and wait. The breeze was light as it brushed some of the petals from the nearby blossom trees, over top of the group.

"Has anyone thought about asking her what's wrong?" Quinn thought openly towards the group.

No one said a word, which made Quinn's self esteem fall down the drain, causing some of his dark red paint to brighten. "Well, I mean…" he filled in, trying not to feel as embarrassed as he felt. "Isn't that what your suppose to do?...and stuff…"

His father's face curved up in a smile, "Quinn you haven't changed." He said as he chuckled lightly, "You still can't stand the silence."

Quinn smiled back, "Well, try to live in Jack's place for over a year and let's see how you like the silence."

Aero shook his head playfully, his Ice and Brown eyes twinkled with amusement as he playfully nudged Quinn with a tire, getting a wide grin from his son.

Doc was oblivious to this father/son bonding that was happening behind him… Quinn was right… you should ask, but no one had the guts to ask.

Doc rose on his tires as he huffed a breath before he made his decent down the wood shaving trail.

Both Aero and Quinn stopped playing around as they watched Doc drive off without them.

"Mr. Hudson?" Aero called to the Hudson that was slowly disappearing in with the background.

"Didn't she want to be alone?" Quinn asked his father.

Aero shrugged, "I guess we'll wait and see."

######

Doc took his time going down the little slope since there was no need to rush, when the willow tree caught his attention, enough to slow right down to a crawl.

There the 300 custom sat with her magnificent, the water at twilight, dark blue paint stood out from the green lush around her. The two freshly engraved headstones faced Kendal with not grief, but the memories that her mother proudly shared with her kids.

The grave stones read in Sheriff's fancy writing that Doc never knew he was capable of:

'Rachelle Maria Linkheart.

A daughter with the gift of the mind, a daughter to never forget,

Her short life will touch the hearts of many, and complete the lives of few.

May God rest her soul.'

'Zebadiya Jacob Linkheart.

A son with the gift of speed, a son that you couldn't always see, but is always there,

His short life will fill your heart with laughter, and make thrill seekers fall at his speed records.

May God rest his soul, and let his spirit race with the wind.'

Doc smiled weakly at the head stones, they were personalized to each of the children's tastes and interests. 'That was nice of Sheriff' Doc thought as he looked back over at Kendal, all alone as she stared at the two head stones.

Doc let out a breath as he quietly rubbed up along her side in a comforting gesture. Kendal was hesitant at first to the company, but quickly relaxed to the familiar face as she sighed.

"I thought you could use some company. " He said as he looked at the head stones along with Kendal.

Kendal leaned on him as her eyes began to burn. "They were my kids." She spoke for the first time in a while, "I wish they got the chance to see Radiator Springs. They would have liked it here."

Doc nodded as he brought her closer to his side, "I know Kendal, I know."

Her frame started to tremble, as she felt the tears run down her frame. "I'm just wishfully thinking, I guess. What's happened has happened, and there is no way of turning back."

Doc didn't say anything as he let her do the talking. Greif wasn't a fun thing to go through.

"But what bothers me the most isn't the past at all." She swallowed as she blinked away the tears, "I don't know what to do with myself. I don't know where to go, I don't know how to make sure Alice has a good life, I don't know-"

"Hey, wait a minute," Doc caught something in her venting that had to make him jump in, "who says you have to leave?"

Kendal took a break from her venting to gather her thoughts again, "I don't want to burden the town."

Doc shook his head, "No! not at all! You shouldn't be thinking like that!" He sighed an aggravated sigh, "Don't tell me Jack has drilled this into your head."

Kendal shrugged slightly, "Hudson… I've been in that cell for about 15 years. It does things to you."

Doc rolled away from Kendal, to face her dead on. "Kendal, look at me."

Kendal's midnight blue eyes lifted up to Doc's crystal. "You are one of the strongest women; I have ever met in my life."

Kendal's eyes quivered back a forth as Doc kept encouraging her, "But it kills me to watch you beat yourself up like that. I mean, how can you survive all those years and not have your spirits broken? You didn't break under pressure, and you would do anything to protect the ones you love."

Doc took a breather as Kendal just was shocked on what she was hearing. "You are a stubborn women," he said with a smile as Kendal chuckled, quoting her, "But even a stubborn women as yourself has to know when she is wrong."

Doc nodded, "You can stay."

Kendal raised a frame, "But Hudson, what can I possibly do here?"

Doc smiled, "That's the beauty of Radiator Springs. We'll find a life here for you and Alice and anyone that is willing to stay."

Kendal raised a frame in a playful way, "Are you done twisting my axel?"

Doc laughed, "Only until I get an answer."

"I don't know," She smiled warmly as she rolled a little closer to Doc, "Are you sure, I won't be a burden?"

Doc swallowed hard as he found himself clearing his throat, "Not a burden." He smiled; his eyes seemed to twinkle from the broken light peaking from the branches of the willow, "An addition."

Kendal midnight eyes seemed to see right through Doc's soul. Doc couldn't look away for a second, those mysterious eyes… danced in his… hypnotizing him, mesmerized him… it was, indescribable.

Kendal moved a little forward again causing Doc to notice the distance between him and Kendal.

Kendal chuckled at Doc's expression as she moved over to the side of him. Doc froze as Kendal kissed his fender lightly. A single chill ran through Doc's frame, making Kendal smile wide, "Thank you Hudson, for saving Alice's life."

She rolled back as she locked her eyes with Doc's, "You're a hero."

Doc shook the feeling out of his system as he heard the word hero. "A hero? I'm no hero, I just did what I was supposed to do."

Kendal nodded, "Yes you are. Like it or not, you've changed lives on top of saving them. That my dear, is a hero into my book."

Doc felt himself give out a thoughtful "huh" as Kendal nodded again in approval.

"I'm glad I'm important." Doc said with a crooked smile

"You are Hudson."

Doc paused as he raised a frame, "You know everyone here calls me 'Doc'…except you?" Doc tilted his head slightly as that crooked smile grew in size, "Why is that?"

Kendal shrugged as she started moving away from her past as she faced her future. Doc caught up rather quickly, "You didn't answer my question. Come to think of it, you didn't answer any of my questions."

Kendal glanced at Doc, smiled a teasing smile, and moved a little faster away from Doc.

Doc blinked in surprise at her reaction as he went to catch up to her… but with no success. Every time he speeds up, she'd speeds up as well. Doc tried gunning it just enough to catch up… but boy… she looks faster than what she really was… she really was a custom!

Doc smiled as a plan popped in his head. His old racer instincts were kicking in; making his complex mind think faster… he was planning for something a little… different then what she expected.

Kendal laughed. This new found freedom; being able to make her own choice… she liked it. She couldn't pass up the offer to mess with the Hudson's mind.

She glanced at her side view mirror and felt her observant mind noticing that something was missing agonist the trees and wood chips. She felt her RPMs drop as she just let her body slow down naturally, was she being too childish?

Lightly pressing on the brake, she stopped feeling her face getting feverish. What a good impression to leave, just got out of prison and here she was, racing around playing "chase". She shook her head, 'What am I doing?' She thought to herself as she turned around, back towards her children's memory stones. 'They haven't even met me yet and here I am, jumping around like some sort of new born with their first tires.' She chuckled very lightly, 'folk around here are going to think that I'm a nut case.'

She looked up to see the same old willow tree with the two head stones underneath it. Back where she started… but no sign of Doc.

"Hudson?" She called to the wind, hoping the words will carry to him.

The wind lightly bushed her side with cherry blossoms petals as they went up and over her frame. The wind, the symbol of freedom greeted her into its home. She closed her eyes and smiled, she hasn't felt the wind in over 15 years… the feeling was incredible.

Something rubbed up bother of her sides, which her observant mind didn't make sense of it. The only other person that was here with her was Hudson… who was the other one.

She opened her eyes as she looked over at the familiar Hudson sitting on her left, grabbing her side. She smiled as she looked over at the other one… a cobalt blue Hudson was also grabbing her other side…wait.

There they were, two cobalt blue, 1951 Hudson Hornets leaning on her sides, "Now, let's try this again...." the one Hudson said on her left.

The one on the right nodded, "You didn't answer my question from before."

"All you did was run from the question." the left one put in as they started talking back and forth.

"Now, you know who I am."

"-and what I did back in the day."

"So what makes you think you can out run a Fabulous Hudson Hornet?"

She smiled, "I didn't think of that, all I was thinking was…" her smile widened, "I like the freedom. It makes me want to race."

Both chuckled at the same time, "Really," the one on the left said.

"I find that very interesting." The one on the right put in as they started talking back and forth again.

"You want to race us?"

"You'll get a race to remember."

"A light friendly race"

"Just up to the road"

"That's it"

"No tricks or anything."

She raised a frame, "No tricks? Oh yeah, having two Hornets is totally far."

Both laugh, "This is part of the plan." The left one cried.

"This is just a twist in the game."

"Your suppose to figure us out."

"Which one is Doc?" both said again.

"Let's raise the stakes," the right one started,"if you can figure out which one is the real Doc-"

"You can make the decision to stay, no if's, and's, or but's, and all questions will end."

"However, if you don't, you have to answer all questions and you must stay."

The one on the left smiled, "Now the question remains…"

"Can you catch up with us?" both simultaneously said as they took off.

She sighed as she didn't bother moving an inch, "I'm no fool. Quinn, you're on the right."

Both Hudson's stopped, as they turned to face Kendal. The one on the right formed back to the familiar Dark red charger. "How'd you know?" Quinn's ring rippled in his sugar brown eyes.

Kendal gave a weak smile, "I basically lived with you for over a year, I know you."

Her eyes meet those of Hudson's, "Which leaves you." Her heart felt broken as she watched the Hudson features sag in defeat…She started wishing she made the wrong decision.

Kendal gave a weak smile. "So that means I win. I won't have to answer your questions Hudson. And that also means… I have to leave."

"You don't have to leave, it's your choice." The Hudson said in pure emotion. "That's what's great about Radiator Springs. You will fit in well with us,"

Kendal huffed a sigh, "You said no if's, and's, or but's."

His expression lifted as a strong smile came a crossed his features, "Ah, but you see you have to win to get that end of the bargain."

Kendal raised a frame in confusion but before her question escaped her lips, it was answered. The Hudson morphed into none other than the silver Dodge Dart with the missed matched eyes.

Kendal's heart leaped, "So wait, how?" she turned to face Quinn's eyes, his ring just then faded. "Hey I couldn't pass up coping Doc again. So when he asked for two, I was all over it!"

Kendal looked at the two cars with a questioning look, "So…"

"Where is Doc?" a voice asked her question for her.

She leaped around to find the source of that voice, Hudson, the original copy, staring at her with those crystal blue eyes. "Well for you it's 'Hudson' anyway."

Kendal smiled weakly, "Why do you want me to stay so badly?"

Hudson shrugged, "As a Judge, I would say it would do our town good. As a Doctor I'd say it's best for your daughter. However, as a friend…"

He rolled over to her, "I would say because I want you too. Because I'm just as stubborn as you are."

He lifted his head up two the other pair now behind her, "You two as well, everyone is welcome here."

Quinn smiled widely as Aero's face fell, "I thank you for your offer. But I think we have to respectfully decline that offer. We have been away from home long enough"

Quinn looked up at Aero, then back at Doc with a sadden face.

Doc took note of Quinn's expression and blinked in understanding, "I understand. The doors are always open for you two."

Aero bowed in silence, "I'm glad you understand. It's been fun."

Kendal turned around, "You're leaving now?"

Aero nodded, "Sadly yes, but I will guarantee this will not be the last time you'll see us."

He bowed to both of them, "Good bye." His eyes allowed the golden ring take over his miss matched eyes as they rippled with energy. He grabbed his depressed son as Quinn said his farewells to the friends. He honestly never wanted to leave the small town, but his father was right… he missed his family. He felt himself sigh as he closed his eyes, warping from place to place wasn't pleasant to see, it actually made him a little nauseous if he was foolish to open his eyes. Then his heard a sound… of a distant powerful engine… racing down there way.

His eyes flashed opened as he saw a, fully painted, fully healed 1964 Mustang racing down the hill. Her fresh paint was beautiful against the sun. Everywhere the sun touch on her frame, the paint changed hue. From the richest of ocean greens, to the brightest of turquoises that you'll ever find in the sky, with a light thin deep blue strip down her side, Alice was racing to get to him.

"Al-!" He said before everything blurred into non existence.

"Quinn!" She shouted as she skidded to a stop right where they once stood. There were gone… Alice's frame shook from the sudden weakness from her as she felt her shocks almost give out of her "No…" She was too late…

Doc raised his head "Alice? What are you doing up? You should-"

Alice panted at the sudden sprint she did to get here, "I have glimpses of a section of time, past, present, future. When I had a dream that Quinn was leaving." She tried regaining her breath, "I tried my best to get to him before he left." Her body fell to the ground, "I didn't get to say goodbye."

Doc and Kendal rushed to Alice's side as they helped her up. "You shouldn't be pushing yourself, even though you can heal yourself that doesn't replace-"

Alice shook her head, "Not anymore. Weren't you listening to what Jack said? Because he didn't have a gift it mixed with his blood. Now Because I have a gift I can remove the hormone that causes our gifts." She rose shakily, "I'm healed and alive, but I'm not 100%. Kind of shaky actually."

She brushed them away, "But I'll live, you guys don't need to worry. And look, I'm painted!" She twisted to the side to show off her multi colored green/blue paint, with a dark blue strip from the front of her frame, as it thickened to the back. You could never question Ramone's work… it always fit perfectly.

"Yes and it looks very nice" Her mother came in as she examined her unique paint job, "Wow this is really good, it's better than your original paint, wow you can't see any of your scars! How much did you pay for this?"

Alice shook her head, "I didn't. Ramone was dying to paint me ever since I first came to this town."

Kendal tilted her head, "Ramone? Who's that honey?"

Alice, "He's the paint artist in Radiator Spring, I'm sure he'll love to touch up your paint job. Maybe some new tires at Luigi's and maybe even stickers from Lizzy and surplus from Sarge. Mom, they have everything here. You'll love it! Come on I'll show you around, I'm sure Mater would love to have a tractor tipping buddy."

Kendal raised an eye frame, "Paint? Tires? Stickers and surplus?...Tractor tipping?" she chuckled, "It sounds like fun."

Alice smiled widely, "it is. And once we settle in, we can make our own lives here."

Kendal looked over at Doc as he shrugged, his body language was saying something like 'it's not my choice. '

Kendal smiled, "So… where do we sleep?"

Doc smiled, "I think I know the right young lady to talk too."

####

The sun set over the horizon as the stars started drawing maps in the sky over top the grand V8 café. The whole town including the newest member of their 'Radiator Springs family' gathered together talking among themselves.

Alice smiled as the town accepted her mother with wide open arms… just like they did with her.

She was happy… but something felt missing.

She backed up out of her stall quietly and surprising to her, unnoticed… she smiled, she needed some alone time.

She rolled over to the clinic as she rolled over to the other side of the clinic. She knew she would have the privacy that she was looking for.

Alice sighed as she found herself looking up at the stars. The layers among layers of stars twinkled down onto her painted frame, oh the things that they have seen, the stories that they tell…

"Rachelle…Zeb… I'm sorry you guys didn't make it here. It's nice, there's a paint shop and a tire store. Amazing people here, you'd love them…" She looked away from the sky.

"God… I don't know what to do with myself. Why am I here?" She found herself smiling, as she looked back up at the sky, "You must get that a lot, but it's true. I started with nothing, and here is my chance to change it. I just don't want to mess it up…ya know?"

The stars twinkled back at her, almost like a sign that someone up there is listening. She smiled, "God, I do want to ask one thing. Protect my friends and family… including Quinn and his family where ever they may be." She looked away from the heavens…remembering…

*" you're going to be okay." Quinn's down to earth voice talked to the half awake figure up on the lift.

"I know," she rasped out weakly as she shifted up on the lift. Her body was healing but it was still broken in certain places. Doc felt that he shouldn't interrupt the healing process too much.

Quinn felt himself shift his weight, "You gave us quite a scare back there."

She felt her grill tug out a smile. "I know." She said as a little shiver rippled through her frame.

Quinn felt his eye frame raise in concern, "Are you cold?"

Alice smiled sheepishly, "A little…"

Quinn smiled weakly as he grabbed several blankets off of the top self and brought it over to the young girl on the lift.

"This should keep you warm." He said as he took his time covering her healing frame with the thick, fleece blanks.

Alice found herself smiling, "you didn't have to do that."

Quinn shrugged, "it's the least I can do for someone who saved my life."

Alice raised a frame, "I saved your life?"

Quinn shrugged again, "well, saved a part of me. If I was trapped in that hell one more year…" He seemed disturbed somehow. "I won't know what to do with myself."

He paused as he found himself smiling, "I've heard a lot about you. Your mother is one talkative lady, I can honestly say that."

Alice laughed a little as she felt pain go through her frame, "ow ow ow."

Quinn felt himself laughing with her, "maybe laughing isn't the greatest thing right now."

Alice smiled a little, "so much for 'laughter is the best medicine.'"

Quinn found himself chuckling. "Yeah right?"

Alice looked around the room, noticing the emptiness, "Quinn, did Doc put you on watch."

He shook his head, "No I offered. I wanted to see for myself if you were alright."

Alice felt her face get hot.' This was going to be an interesting night' she thought as a yawn escaped through her beaten features.

Quinn smiled, "Why don't you get some sleep. I'm sure you'll need it."

Alice smiled, "What about you?"

Quinn shrugged, "after the scare I went through… I don't think I can sleep."

She felt herself smile, talking with him made her forget about every bad thing that has happened in her life…forget about her healing broken body… forget about everything except talking to him…*

Alice found herself sighing not in a dream like state, but in a depressed, broken hearted way. She had to admit, she missed her "watch guard" from that night... She was surprised that she found herself missing someone she barely knew but… she felt as though she lost an old friend.

She sighed, if only she saw that vision sooner… if only she was faster… she could have made it in time…

That's when she cursed at herself as she slapped her tire on the ground in frustration…time… she could of stopped time long enough to at least say goodbye to him. Why didn't she think of that!? He could have still been here if she had used her powers!

"Agh!" she shouted out her frustration, "How can I be so stupid." And just as she said that the only company that she had twinkled back at hear letting her know they were still listening. A shooting star smeared a crossed the sky. A gush of wind grazed Alice's side, making her shiver. "I wonder if Quinn is looking at the same stars."

"Well, that depends on which ones you're looking at."

Alice whipped around in a 180 as she heard a voice… that earthy voice that sent chills down her frame.

There stood a dark red charger, proud and amused at Alice's expression. His brown sugar eyes sparkled under the shining stars.

"Quinn!" she shouted as she raced over to embrace him causing Quinn to roll back from the impact. "I thought you'll never come back!"

Quinn smiled as he tightened his embrace, "That was my father's idea, but not mine. After a while I sat down with him and talking about living here and he agreed… if that's still okay?"

Alice rolled back, "Are you kidding? Yes! That's perfectly fine!" her smile was wide. "I can't believe that your back!"

Quinn smiled, "Well believe it, I'm here to stay."

####

Doc smiled as he rolled into his clinic after a long day, Jack was 6 feet under, Alice survived the kiss of death for the second time, Kendal decided to stay in Radiator Springs, and quite recently Quinn came back to stay as well.

Doc sighed contently as he finished shut and locking the doors, after the one incident involving Lightning, Mater, and endless of possibilities on the 1st of April.

A large yawn excepted though Doc's tired features as he found himself stretching before he went to his own personal quarters. His reading lamp was the only thing that was on in the room that lit the way to where Doc slept. 'Home sweet home' he thought as he's body lied down on the familiar grooves in the carpet where he frame always rested. He clicked off the reading light as he found himself closing his tired eyes, letting sleep come to him.

He felt a comforting sigh escape from his features as deep sleep started taking over his senses…

*knock knock knock*

Doc felt his eye frames crash together as he tried to forget the noise, shifting his position.

*knock knock knock*

He growled in frustration as he flicked the light back on. He quickly rose on his tires and opened the door to get to the clinic.

His clinic was dark, so dark in fact he was tempted on turning on his headlights… but what's the sense when you live in a place you know like the hood ornament on your own hood.

*knock knock knock*

He sighed an aggravated sigh as he rolled over to the main door, unlocked it, and open the door to find who was crazy enough to annoy Doctor Hudson at this hour… it better be an emergency.

When the door opened, his anger vanished. His features were soft at the surprising visitor, "What's the matter kiddo?"

Alice looked up at Doc as she seemed to hide her face in embarrassment. She seemed fine, nothing seemed out of place. Why was she here at this our?

Alice's tire scrapped the ground in nervousness, "I couldn't sleep…"

Doc eyes blinked in understanding, "Do you want something to help you sleep?" he knew how emotional trauma worked, sleepless nights, chills where you reflect the horrible memory, lose of apatite. What she went through… he wouldn't be surprised if she started getting depressed about herself.

But he got a reaction that was different then what he expected. Alice smiled sheepishly, "well, that's not quite what I had in mind…"

Doc raise a frame, normally he could predict where this was going… this on the other hand was a little difficult, "What did you have in mind?"

Alice's eyes looked up at Doc's, "You see, It's been awhile since I've slept…alone. And it kind of freaks me out…a bit. And I was wondering…" Her eyes sparkled in the twinkling light, "Can I spend the night here?"

Doc found himself chuckling lightly, "You missed me that much?" he asked with a joke hinted in his voice.

Alice smiled a genuine smile, "More than you know." Her eyes quivered back and forth, "When Jack took us… I wasn't sure what happened to you. There were a couple of times I thought you were dead." She let out a breath, "I just want to know if this is real. a new home, a new family." She half shrugged, "I guess I have a new life."

Doc felt himself smile, a father like smile and rolled over to Alice and embraced her, "here's to a new life." He said as he back off inside the clinic, holding the door open for her.

Alice smiled, "A new life…" she said as she rolled in to his clinic as the door shut quietly behind her… "let's just hope I don't screw it up."

A smacking sound was heard from inside the clinic. "Ow! Hey, what was that for?"

A sound of low grave chuckling was heard right after the remark, "Just a friendly reminder to knock it off."

'she is incredible,' Doc thought as he rested her down next to him 'her and her marvelous ring of hers…'

Alice sighed contently as she snuggled along his side, trying to get comfortable. 'The rings that saved her life…her life rings."

Sadly this is then end of the story… for now! And just a reminder! Any life rings fans out there, keep your eyes out for the 2ndone! THANK YOU SOO MUCH FOR READING!!!!!!!!