"give it a rest kid. it makes sense to you but not us." Doc chuckled. Lightning mumbled something in gibberish, Doc was pretty sure meant 'fuck you' and flipped him off. he shook his head with an amused smirk. "come on kid." Doc said, motioning towards his house. the two really needed some sleep. Lightning followed him, yawning and shaking his head a little. "yeah me too." Doc muttered, rubbing his back. Lightning gave him a guilty look. "I'm fine kid, just tired of hospital chairs." Doc assured.

you don't have to stay with me every time.

Lightning handed him the notebook with a frown.

"I know, but I'm still going to." Doc smirked, opening the door to his house. there was dry blood and water smeared from the kitchen to the living room, but the glass had been cleaned up. Lightning mumbled something in a confused tone. "I dragged you from the kitchen to the living room so you wouldn't lay in glass. I'll finish cleaning it up later. for now, we need some rest." Doc said. Lightning nodded a little looking at his blood on the floor, but walked around it to the spare room. Doc laid on his bed without even taking his shoe's off. he didn't want to risk having to get up to check on Lightning and accidently stepping on a missed piece of glass. he closed his eyes and curled up, snoring.

4AM. Doc was only woken by his need for some water. he rolled over and stretched, mumbling. he froze staring at his door way, where Lightning stood silently staring. it was honestly a scary sight. he wasn't moving at all, he was standing still like he was just a figment of Doc's imagination. Doc honestly would've thought he was dreaming, but he saw the kids hand twitch.

"fuck you almost gave me a heart attack." Doc huffed. Lightning was silent. "kid?" Doc ask. he looked the kid over. "what the hell are you doing? you're not supposed to walk around without that boot on." Doc snapped sitting up. he got out of bed, huffing, and walked over grumbling. "ignoring me does you no good." he said. Lightning still didn't move or respond. "Lightning?" Doc ask, waving a hand in front of his face. he didn't budge or flinch, he stood unmoving, except the occasional twitch in his left hand. "great sleep walking." Doc muttered. he shook his head and got behind the kid, gently pushing him forward. he didn't want to take him back to his room and risk more damage to his foot, so he just pushed him onto his bed. Lightning laid down silently, curling up. Doc grumbled and went on with what he'd gotten up to do. he came back with his cup and sat it on the night stand, then nudged Lighting over to the other side of his bed. he didn't seem to notice anything, just mumbling something along the lines of 'Doc leave me alone.' making the older pause a moment, before shaking his head and shoving him over and laying beside him. "idiot." he grumbled, laying his head on his pillow. Lightning snored quietly and Doc huffed, closing his eyes and falling back to sleep, ignoring when Lightning cuddled up to his side. he huffed in annoyance and tried to push the younger away, but he latched onto Docs arm tightly and curled up more, whining softly. Doc let out a deep and annoyed sigh, before deciding to just let the kid do what he wanted, he always gave in even if the kid was asleep, and closed his eyes. he heard Lightning mumbling some gibberish, felt him hold tighter to his arm, heard his breathing grow slightly shaky, but just as soon as it started, it stopped and the kid was snoring again. Doc opened his eyes briefly, just to check on him, before settling back down to sleep.

7AM. Doc grumbled and reached over, shutting his alarm off sleepily. he paused registering a weight on both his arm and his chest, nearly panicking. was he having a heart attack? not entirely unreasonable for his age, but still pretty scary. if he was having a heart attack who would be here to care for his town? his friends? who would care for the man who was currently depending on him for everything from walking to talking? suddenly the weight on his chest shifted and muttered. Docs eyes snapped open and he looked down, he rolled his eyes realizing it was just Lightning and let out a soft sigh. no heart attack, just Lightning. at some point in the night the kid had snuggled up to him, throwing his arm over Doc and wiggling his way between Docs arm and his side so he was burying his face into the olders side. he was curled up against Doc as though the bigger man was some kind of shield from the world or something, as though even in his sleep he expected Doc to protect him, to keep him safe and warm.

"fuck." Doc muttered, trying to move the younger off him without waking him. he sat up a little, hoping to get enough leverage on Lightning to pry him off. "kid get off me." Doc grumbled, trying to move him. all he managed to do was get Lightning to stir enough that he fisted his hand in Docs shirt and dug his face further into his side. Doc sighed and dropped his head back into his pillow. he wouldn't be going anywhere until Lightning woke up it appeared. he grumbled and stared up at the ceiling, as much as he wanted to get up, the kid hadn't really slept well since the wreck and he didn't want to ruin what little sleep he was actually getting, even if the kid was way too comfortable in his bed. deciding he'd be better off to just try and go back to sleep, he pulled the blanket back up and over him, some how Lightning had wrestled it from him in the night. he tucked it carefully around them both, making sure it wouldn't suffocate the other man, and closed his eyes. after laying there a minute, he realized it was completely useless to try and get back to sleep. Doc was just about to shove Lightning off him, whether it woke him or not, when his phone started going off beside him. he looked over at nightstand beside them, grabbing it quietly so it wouldn't wake Lightning, and looking at the caller ID. Mack. he answered without hesitation. "hello?" Doc muttered.

"Strips here. he wants to talk to you." Mack said.

"you mean the kid?" Doc ask.

"no you." Mack replied.

"alright give me five minutes, I'll be at the diner." Doc said.

"alright." Mack said. Doc hung up and looked down at Lightning, wiggling free carefully, which was a lot harder than he imagined it would be, not only was the kid stubborn when he was awake, he was also stubborn when he was asleep and comfortable. it took him longer than he thought it would, but he managed eventually, without waking Lightning. once he was finally free, he got dressed and headed into town. he could see the blue 1970 Plymouth sitting in the parking lot in front of Flo's. Doc admired it a moment, it was a very beautiful shade of blue, though it wasn't Dinoco blue anymore, it was a slightly lighter and more green color now. the car was beautiful. Doc shook his head and headed inside the diner. Strip looked up, breaking out into a grin.

"Doc." Strip smiled, getting up to greet him. Doc nodded, reaching to shake his hand.

"Strip. Lynda." Doc smiled nodding at the youngers wife. Lynda smiled at him, waving a little, before turning back to Sally to keep talking. "what can I do you for kid?" Doc ask curiously.

"its more like what I can do for you, an the kid of course." Strip said. Doc straightened.

"yeah?" he ask. Strip had his full attention and, though Doc would never admit it, his hope.

"I heard back from my agent, if you can get him ready before next season, he'll take him." Strip said.

"thats great." Doc nodded.

"I thought you'd say so. once the kids out of his casts and things, he wants to meet up with him and check out what he can do. of course he's seen him on the tv, but it's nothing like seeing it in person, am I right?" Strip smiled.

"absolutely." Doc agreed. they talked a few things over before Strip handed him a piece of paper.

"this is his number. if you have any questions call him. if you're worried he's not going to make it by next season let him know. he wants the kid, but he understands recovery takes a while." Strip said.

"I'll be sure to get in touch with him if I don't think he's good to roll, but I think he's going to get back out there." Doc said.

"Rookie's always bounce back." Strip chuckled.

"he's not a rookie anymore." Doc said fondly. "kids come a long way." Doc added. Strip nodded in agreement.

"sure has, you helped him a lot with that, from what I hear." Strip chuckled softly. Doc smiled and nodded a little. Lightning would tell anyone and everyone who would listen, especially reporters, that he owed everything to Doc. every win, every friend, even his life. "let me know if you guys need anything." Strip said, before going to sit beside his wife. Doc nodded a little and smiled, turning to head back to his house.

Lightning was still curled up in his bed when he got back, no surprise there. he headed to the spare room to grab the kids' boot, only it wasn't there. confused he searched the house, before finding the boot in his garage. he rolled his eyes, grabbed it and headed back inside, Lightning had done a lot more sleep walking than he had realized and was going to be in pain when he woke up. he carried the boot back to his room and looked at Lightning. he had all but taken over Docs bed, curled around Docs pillow, and was buried in his blanket. he was snoring quietly, happily nuzzled into Docs bed like he belonged there or something. Doc shook that thought out of his head, the kid probably didn't even realize he wasn't in his own bed. grumbling in annoyance to himself, he sat the boot on the floor and watched Lightning a moment more, realizing any thoughts of going back to bed weren't possible with the kid taking over his bed like that. he headed to the kitchen, making himself some coffee and starting breakfast. he was just sitting down to eat when he heard Lightning stir.

"hmm? Doc?" Lightning mumbled. slightly surprised at Lightnings sleepy voice, Doc looked over towards where the living room and kitchen met.

"kitchen." Doc called, sipping his coffee. he heard velcro strapping and knew Lightning was putting his boot on, then he came around the corner into the kitchen. he looked utterly confused.

"how...?" Lightning ask, motioning to Docs room.

"I woke up at 4 this morning and you were standing in the door without your boot. I wasn't going to carry you, so I just shoved you over onto the bed. you were sleep walking." Doc said.

"it happens. sorry." Lightning mumbled, looking at him. Doc shrugged.

"it was fine. you curled up on one side and didn't bother me." Doc assured. "at least until I got up then you took over the whole damn bed." Doc added. Lightning sat down across from him looking up when Doc pushed some waffles over to him. that was a little unusual Doc usually liked to eat pretty healthy unless they were in a hotel for a race. Lightning smiled some at him.

"you don't have to make breakfast." Lightning said.

"what and leave it to you? you burn everything, not to mention you shouldn't be standing on your leg like that." Doc chided. Lightning shrugged. "I got some good news." Doc said.

"and bad news? or just good news?" Lightning ask, looking over at him.

"you can consider it bad news if you want." Doc shrugged.

"whats up?" Lightning ask.

"got in touch with Strip, his agent is willing to take you on. practically begging to be your agent." Doc said. Lightning perked up some.

"but...?" Lightning ask curiously.

"but we have to have you racing again by next season." Doc said. Lightning sat still a moment before sighing.

"when do we start training?" he ask. Doc smirked a little.

"after breakfast. we'll go out to Willies Butte. get you used to the speed again, with me driving, then throw you in the 95 and see what happens." Doc said. Lightning nodded.

"alright." Lightning mumbled. they ate and Lightning got dressed before they headed out. Lightning paused slightly as they headed for Docs car.

"whats up kid?" Doc ask.

"Ramone finish with my car?" he ask. Doc thought a moment, before shrugging.

"lets go find out, then we'll head out for the track." Doc said, heading for Ramone's shop. Ramone looked up when they walked in.

"hey guys hows it going?" Ramone smirked, walking over to them.

"kid wants to check on the 95." Doc said. Ramone nodded some, looking at Lightning.

"you will get an ear full if it's anything other than red." Lightning warned. Ramone frowned a little.

"well, I added a little more." Ramone said, turning towards the paint room. "but I'm pretty sure you're going to like it." he assured.

"better not be pink, Flo said you were trying to paint it pink." he hissed. Ramone laughed some and kept walking. Lightning narrowed his eyes at him as he and Doc followed him, but paused upon seeing his car. the main body was it's usual bright red, but the top was a soft gray on top, with yellow lightning streaking across the car from the gray to the red, with a big 95 on the sides and a large yellow/red RUST-EZE on the back. Lightning stared at his car, before looking at Doc then back at the car.

"eh? what do you think man?" Ramone smirked.

"wow. uh, yeah. it's great." Lightning said, walking around the car. "thank you." Lightning said. he felt a longing ache to get in the car, but knew if he did it wouldn't be pretty. Ramone nodded and walked off. Doc pulled his arm gently.

"come on kid, lets go to Willies Butte." Doc said. Lightning nodded and followed him to the Hornet. he climbed in hesitantly.

"I've never been afraid to get into a car." Lightning mumbled.

"you'll get over it eventually." Doc said, starting up the car. he headed for the track. "stop tensing up. the more you tense the worse it's going to be." Doc frowned.

"I know... but still..." Lightning trailed, holding onto the door handle.

"we'll start off a little easy. you did fine on the way home yesterday, you'll be fine." Doc said. Lightning nodded some.

"right." Lightning said.

"your car looks pretty good. you owe Ramon an apology." Doc said, speeding it up. he was already pushing 80 and they'd just started. Lightning tensed some, trying to relax and focus on Doc.

"it's nice but I like my red." Lightning muttered.

"I know but, he did a good job with that new design." Doc said, if he could keep him just slightly distracted they might get further.

"yeah I guess." Lightning muttered tensing up.

"relax kid. I'm barely breaking 120." Doc said. the Hornet could reach 200 easily in 4.6 seconds when Doc wanted it to, but he was trying to take it easy, sort of. they would hit at least 150 before he stopped. by the time they reached 135, Lightning was pressed against the seat.

"stop. Doc stop!" Lightning shouted.

"not yet kid we're almost to 140." Doc smirked. Lightnings chest started heaving, he was clutching the door handle. all he could think about was flipping repeatedly.

"stop!" Lightning shouted.

"just a little further, you got this kid." Doc assured. Doc skid around the curve with a smirk.

"DOC! STOP!" Lightning screamed at him after a moment. Doc frowned and hit his breaks carefully coming to a stop. Lightning immediately threw the door open and fell out, scrambling away from the car, chest heaving harder, and gasping for breath. Doc shut the car off and got out, heading over to Lightning. he frowned and knelt beside him gently.

"kid?" Doc ask. Lightning scrambled away from him getting to his feet.

"don't touch me! I told you to stop! I told you I couldn't handle it!" Lighting shouted, getting off the track. Doc followed him.

"kid, c'mon." Doc said gently.

"don't fucking touch me!" Lightning shouted. "leave me alone!" Lightning hissed. Doc watched him go and frowned, jumping back into the Hornet. he took off back towards town, watching for Lightning. he'd pushed it, he knew he had, but they had maybe 3 months to get Lightning okay with speeding around again. he pulled up to his house found himself surrounded by Sally, Mater, and Mack.

"what the hell did you do?" Mack glared.

"I didn't do nothing." Doc said.

"you pushed him Doc!" Sally hissed.