JAYDENN
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Summary
A harmless, innocent prank on Lightning leads to a impromptu kidnapping, a truthful, honest discussion, and the blooming potential of a romantic relationship. Cal is forced to face the truth that he was never anyone's first choice; Strip assures him he is.
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Lightning leans back in the seat, but he finds it hard to focus on the road ahead. “But it did work out for you.”Quietly, Cal says, “They wanted you, Lightning. Tex wanted you.”
He doesn’t know what to respond to that.
Bookmarked by JAYDENN
08 Jul 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
Sure, they would never be his real parents, but they were the ones who were there and loved him like a son. He knew they never wanted children, as Strip would always joke to his brother-in-law, so Cal knew his presence was just as annoying as it probably was.
But they never let him go without knowing how much he meant to them.
It was such a strange thing to wrap his head around, but he’d heard a similar story from Lightning, who’d crashed into Radiator Springs, met Doc, and fell in love with the town (and the town’s attorney.)
Maybe that’s why he’d opened up to Lightning. He surely knew what it was like to be isolated from the world, only to suddenly be exposed to a new perspective of love and care.
Bobby didn’t understand it, but he tried, and Cal appreciated him for it. Bobby had lovely parents, although a bit much at times. (Cal can recall a vivid time a few months ago when he had met them in the pits. Mr. Swift had pulled him into a hug so tight that Cal whined to Strip for a week that he felt like he’d broken a rib. Mrs. Swift, on the other hand, gave him a fat smooch on his cheek with bright red lipstick. Bobby didn’t let him live it down, until he donned a matching on
“I’m hoping the press didn’t send you here,” Doc jokes. “For the record, I had no idea about Lightning’s merch scheme.”
Strip finally sets down the glass. “It’s somewhat about that.” Doc nods at him to continue. “When Lightnin’ showed up in your town, how did you react, exactly?”
Doc leans back, crossing his arms. “I didn’t like him,” he answers easily. Strip winces. Maybe I went to the wrong guy. But, Doc laughs. “He reminds me so much of myself it’s like watching an old movie. But he’s better than anything I ever was, even if the stubborn kid won’t admit it.”
As much as Strip wants to understand that sentiment, he finds himself coming up blank. In a few ways, Cal was very much like him— stubborn, and driven, but he was also so quiet, almost unsure of himself at times. Strip hardly remembered a time he’d ever been like that.
“So it took some coming to terms with things from my past to truly accept him. That, and Sally scolding me.” He cracks a smile. “And now he’s family.”
Strip nods, taking another sip. He doesn’t have a follow-up question, but countless problems requiring a solution.
Doc continues after the pause. “Does this have to do with Cal?” A guilty nod. “He’s a good kid.”
Sighing, Strip nods. “I know he is. He’s like my son. But I feel so— disconnected at times,” he decides. “It’s like I hardly know him. It’s always like this.”
“I’m here all night if you want to talk,” Doc offers, tipping his drink towards Lightning. “He’s not stopping anytime soon, not with Rusty throwing dollar bills at him.”
Strip chuckles. “Fair enough.” Picking a place to start, he begins, “I never wanted kids. Lynda was impartial, but I thought it was too much work. How do you raise someone when you’re still raising yourself?” He questions, not looking for an answer.
“I wasn’t ever a perfect role model till I joined Dinoco. I made mistakes, I threw punches. But things made sense once I started racing. Everything in my life fell into place. I proposed to Lynda, we got married, and I met her family. I knew who I was; I have for a long time. Nothing ever made me question that.”
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Summary
It was Cruz's first race without Lightning. After he resigns as her crew chief, Cruz learns the hard way that life is full of many changes.
Bookmarked by JAYDENN
23 Jun 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
It was Cruz's first race without Lightning. After he resigns as her crew chief, Cruz learns the hard way that life is full of many changes.
As Mack pulled away from the town, Cruz closed her eyes to remember Lightning's last words to her before she left. He was the last one to say goodbye. She could see his gentle smile and feel the touch of his tire on her fender. She didn't even have the strength to look him in the eye.
"You're gonna do great kiddo," he said with a warm smile as Cruz turned to reverse into the trailer.
Cruz only nodded slowly, doing a horrible job of hiding her sadness. She reversed into the trailer, hoping (with every bolt in her body) that Lightning would follow behind. Her engine raced once he drove closer to the ramp.
Please come with me!
"You'll be fine Cruz. Once this race is over, you'll be back home before you know it," Lightning said, trying to console a grief-stricken Cruz.
"Goodbye Mr. McQueen," she said in a somber tone as she pressed the button to close the trailer door.
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Summary
When Doc woke up, Lightning was in the same position he fell asleep in which was odd because the kid couldn’t sit still if his life depended on it. He decided to let the kid sleep a little more, hoping he’d wake up once Doc had gotten everything ready.
He hadn’t.
The race wasn’t until four that afternoon, but there were still a handful of pre-race activities they needed to take care of. Pulling the covers off Lightning, the kid still didn’t move. Doc shook Lightning’s shoulder to wake him up, but that hadn’t worked either.
“Kid? Get up, we gotta go.”
Still nothing.
When Doc grabbed his wrist, his fingers grazed where his pulse was. It was slow, even for someone who was sleeping. Going in for a real observation, his pulse was indeed abnormally slow. Now he was concerned. Why was his pulse so low?
“Lightning?” Shaking him a little harder, Lightning was yet to stir at any action Doc took. Doc leaned in and raised his eyelids to find that his pupils were largely dilated. He knew something wasn’t right.
Lightning had been with him all night. What the hell happened?
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At the party before the final qualifying race, someone spikes Lightning's drink to keep him from qualifying.
Series
- Part 7 of It's Whumptastic (Whumptober 2023)
- Part 3 of life's a beach and then you drive
Bookmarked by JAYDENN
21 May 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
Which was a complete lie. Doc was working on breaking the habits that Harv had driven into Lightning’s head. Having Bobby and Cal with him only made him more competitive. It also made him a better driver, and a better person.
Doc was glad the kid had them, no matter how much trouble they seemed to get into.
“We’ll have to call the others and let them know. The officials are gonna find out eventually, and so is everyone else. I would rather not deal with that right now though, but we’ll have to make a statement at some point.”
Mack nodded and stepped outside to call Sarge. Doc sighed and sat in the chair closest to Lightning’s bed. The doctor said he was fine, that he was just sleeping.
He’s gonna wake up. He’ll be fine.
Doc picked up the remote and turned on the TV, hoping to catch the pre-coverage of the race.
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Tags
Summary
He should be happy. The season was starting. His name was back in the conversation. He could hear the echoes of his own reputation in the static of every trackside broadcast—“Lightning McQueen, the rookie who helped The King cross the line. The future of racing.” It should’ve lit a fire in his chest.
Instead, it just made it harder to breathe.
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With racing season starting back up everyone assumed McQueen would’ve been the first rearing to go. And he is…
Isn’t he?
Series
- Part 3 of Maybe I could use a hand.
Bookmarked by JAYDENN
07 Jul 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
Luigi bounced in place beside the tires. “Everything is perfect! Tires inflated to the decimal! Guido, he double-checked!”
“Triplicare!” Guido stated proudly, throwing both arms in the air with a dramatic flourish that earned a few laughs from the crew.
Ramone leaned against the toolbox, toothpick in his mouth, arms crossed coolly. “You look like you’re ready to fly, man.”
Mater slapped him on the back with enough force to jostle Monty forward. “Don’t forget to wave when you pass the finish line. I told all the TV people you’d smile for the camera.”
Monty laughed, adjusting his gloves. “No pressure, huh?”
Sally stood off to the side, out of the chaos, calm in the storm like she always was. Arms crossed, sunglasses perched atop her head, ponytail swaying gently in the breeze. She didn’t say anything at first. Just looked at him. Looked through him, like she always could.
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Tags
Summary
Lightning McQueen getting to know his new friends and family as they learn all of his quirks too.
Series
- Part 2 of Find Yourself
Bookmarked by JAYDENN
07 Jul 2026
Bookmarker's Notes
Not even ten minutes in, Lightning had an arm draped protectively over his ribs and was leaning against the back of the couch. His cheek was turned sideways, resting against the cushion. His eyes were shut, and there was a grimace on his face. And now that Doc was listening, his breathing sounded a little shallow, too.
"Hey, kid," Doc said a little gruffly. Quiet, but sharp enough to wake him from his doze. Lightning's eyes sluggishly fluttered open.
"Yeah? You need something?" He asked, wiping any trace of pain off his face as he straightened up a bit to look at Doc.
"What's wrong with you?" Doc asked bluntly.
Lightning looked a little startled at the question. "What? Nothing's wrong." His brows knit together in confusion.
"You're in pain," Doc said, pointing to his guarded ribs. "You have been all day."
Lightning smirked sheepishly. "Just happens sometimes," Lightning said lowly, in an unconcerned tone. He leaned back into the couch again, one hand still resting over his ribs. "Just get headaches sometimes, or my ribs something act up or something. Just old things. They just hurt sometimes if I push too hard during a race weekend, or sometimes with the weather. It's not really consistent, though. It doesn't happen that often and I forget about it most of the time." Lightning said, shrugging, his eyes drifting back to the TV.