*Six months later*

getting home had been a relief and a nightmare, literally. a wave of nightmares hadn't been a surprise to Doc, but it was a little exhausting. sometimes he'd wake up screaming and jerk Doc out of his own sleep and into a panic. he'd quickly realize what was happening and would soothe the younger easily. other times he'd jerk up in a panic, blindly scramble for his phone and call whoever had been in the nightmare. Red, Smokey, Mack, or even Sheriff. Doc would generally wake up to the younger talking quietly to whoever he'd called. he'd soothe him back to sleep and apologize to whoever was on the phone before hanging up. things in Radiator Springs had been mildly tense for the first four months, before slowly slipping back into its regular routine. Mack and Red got together, though only behind the closed front door of Reds house, not that Mack minded and he and Lightning were together. Doc thought at some point they'd have to tell the rest of the town, but it was like everyone knew already. while they hadn't told anyone, they also hadn't really hidden it either. it actually made Doc happier than he thought it would, for everyone to know, it was relieving. things were settling down and returning to normal.

Lightning had even started training again and today was the very first race he'd been in since Chick had made him wreck all that time ago. he hadn't thought he was really ready for it, but now, he knew he was. he was excited and ready. he was absolutely determined to win.

"Lightning McQueen is back on the track for his first race in nearly three years Bob! look at him go out there! 299 laps and it all comes down to this! Lightning McQueen or Cal Weathers, neck and neck!"

<b>"well damn Darrell, its almost like he never even left! all this time and here he comes back in the lead!"

<b>"Lightning McQueen is gonna win the Piston Cup on his first race back!"

<b>"he's done it! Lightning McQueen has one the Piston Cup! he did it! what a hell of a welcome back!"

"congratulations Lightning McQueen!"

Lightning rolls to a stop in the pits, it had taken so much training and time to get him back out there, but it was so worth it! first race back and he had crushed it! he jumps out of the car, laughing as he's immediately grabbed by Mack and thrown up onto his shoulder. he pulls his helmet off and grins.

"you did it boss!" Mack shouts. Lightning laughs smiling as he looks around.

"first race back and you got it!" Doc grins. he usually doesn't allow himself to get this excited when the younger wins, but he can't help it. the younger has had so much happen in the past three years. from wrecking to his recovery to running from Chick to shooting Chick. he's been through a lot and come out on top, so he's pretty sure thats an excuse to let his guard down for once and get excited with the team. Mack finally puts Lightning down and Doc plops his crew chief hat onto the youngers head. "good job kid." Doc murmurs.

"thanks Doc." Lightning grins, stepping away from everyone slightly. being crouded by his friends reminds him of laying in a hospital bed and he hates that feeling. he's almost immediately tackled to the ground before anyone can catch him.

"you did it! you came back and you won!" Cal shouts, hugging him. Lightning shakes the stars from his vision and laughs, lifting his head to look at the younger man hugging his chest.

"hey Cal." he chuckles, hugging him. the younger man gets off him and offers a hand to him. Lightning sits up, grabbing the hat Cal knocked off his head, and reaches for his hand letting himself be pulled back up to his feet. he puts the hat back on and laughs when Cal hugs him again.

"sorry for tackling you." Cal chuckles hesitantly.

"no its fine. nice to know someone missed me." he chuckles.

"come kid, you gotta go get your trophy." Doc snorts. Lightning nods, throwing an arm around Cals shoulders.

"come on you can go with me. I don't think you've ever been up on that stage before." Lightning teases.

"thats so rude." Cal huffs, but he heads with Lightning. the others are walking with them.

"be prepared for questions." Doc warns.

"right. press isn't afraid to ask about anything that happened." Lightning said.

"also be prepared for anxiety. it's been a while since you've been the eye of the press and the last time it happened you didn't have the greatest time." Flo warns.

"right. watch for anxiety or PTSD." Lightning says.

"and you don't have to answer every question." Red says quickly. Mack smiles at him, squeezing his hand gently. Lightning stops, separates himself from Cal, and turns to his friends.

"guys, I got this. just take it easy." Lightning assures gently.

"we're just worried about you boss." Mack says.

"I know, but its just the press. I can handle it." Lightning grins slightly. he turns and continues to head up, Cals following him like Lightning is all he can see. Doc smiles and watches him go. Mack comes to stand beside Doc, watching the younger get up onto the stage with Cal.

"you really going to do this out here?" Mack asks, raising an eye brow.

"nah, I'm going to wait until we're walking to the Hornet to go back to the hotel." Doc chuckles. Mack nods and turns back to watch Lightning. he walks up onto the stage laughing and waving, with Cal following behind. they've prepared this to be more of a media conference than an award acceptance and Lightning is ready. they had told him from the beginning that, win or lose today, this was going to happen.

"you there in the red jacket." Lightning grins.

"McQueen! how does it feel to finally be back?"

"you know it feels great actually. it really does." Lightning grins. he motions to another reporter.

"how are you healing after that wreck so many months ago?"

"pretty good actually. they're going to wait a little longer before removing the pins on my leg, but I'm not in any rush." he chuckles.

"McQueen, how does it feel knowing you've killed a fellow competitor?"

Lightning tenses a moment, but the smile never leaves his face.

"next question." he smiles, ignoring how uncomfortable the question made him.

"McQueen, what was it like getting to see your crew chiefs home town? did you get to experience the track?"

"sort of. we raced it once before we came back home." Lightning answers easily. Docs watching him in case he needs to call this media crap to an end. these news crews were nosey fucks.

"McQueen did you fire your previous agent?"

"no actually, he fired me while I was still laying in a hospital bed recovering from my wreck." Lightning says. "kind of a shitty move if you ask me, hey kid, I know you could've died and all, but you're fired. I got real lucky that someone else was willing to take me just like that and was willing to work with me and Rust-eze to get me back out here." he adds.

"McQueen, how has Chick Hicks death affected you?"

Lightning frowns going silent. he appears to be thinking, but his friends know him better than that. immediately Docs on stage standing in front of Lightning.

"alright thats enough. this conference is over. this kid has been through hell and back and he doesn't need you lot questioning him about what it was like in hell." Doc snaps. he turns and pushes Lightning towards the exit quickly. "go kid." Doc mumbles. Lightning nods slightly and lets him lead him off the stage. "Red and Mack will get your trophy, lets just get to the Hornet and get out of here before those vultures follow." Doc grumbles.

"ri-right. yeah." Lightning mumbles, letting Doc lead him towards the lot. Doc had really wanted to do this under better terms, but he'd promised himself he was going to do this today, so as they walked to the car he lost himself in thought. figuring out a plan. he shakes his head realizing Lightning has been talking to him. "uh, Doc? you okay?" he asks, watching him. Doc sighs, now or never.

"can I ask you a question?" Doc asks, shoving his hands into his pants pockets. Lightning looks confused.

"I guess." he says sounding confused. "I mean unless it's something bad. if its bad or like about the stuff thats happened over these past three years I really don't wanna talk about that stuff. I really never want to talk about it especially Chick, I'd be glad if I never had to hear that name-" Lightning tries. Doc groans lowly.

"I was going to ask you to marry me kid." Doc says. Lightning stalls going quiet and just staring at him like he's grown a second head on his shoulders.

"wh-wha-" Lightning tries. Doc pulls a small box from his pocket and holds it out to the younger, opening it.

"Monty McQueen will you marry me?"