Chapter Text
McQueen loved to race. Racing was all he ever wanted to do, and every day he felt so lucky he got to make his dream a reality. But as he got closer to home, he was grateful for this past racing season's end.
It had been rough. It was his first season back since Doc's death. His mentor's sudden death almost two years ago devastated him. It occurred a month before the racing season started, and McQueen knew he couldn't race and pulled out last minute. It caused an uproar among the fans and media, but fortunately, his sponsors and close racing friends all understood.
He spent the next six months in Radiator Springs, barely leaving his house until Sally dragged him out of it and forced him to start living again. The healing process had been slow (McQueen didn't even know if it was fully finished some days), but his little found family held his hands (sometimes literally) as he tried to come to terms with Doc's death.
Still, even as McQueen felt he could process Doc's passing better, he didn't know if he would ever race again. He hadn't touched his race car since that moment, and anytime he thought about driving again, the fact that Doc not being in the pit to guide him through races made him sick.
Fortunately, Sally didn't let him stew in these feelings for long. With her gentle (but firm) urging, McQueen eventually got behind the wheel. He didn't know if he would have been able to complete this past Piston Cup season if Sally hadn't been in the Pit cheering and encouraging him.
She did have to fly home a month before the season officially ended because tourist season was about to begin in Radiator Springs, but they had called every night, and with her support, not only did he finish the season, but snagged his fourth Piston Cup in the process.
Still, despite his successes, the season had been emotionally and physically exhausting, and he was excited to spend a quiet summer recovering at home.
The sun had just started its descent into the rocky horizon when McQueen rolled into Radiator Springs. The streets were unusually bare, but likely everyone was still eating at Flo's.
As much as he wanted to see everyone, he wanted a brief moment alone with Sally before he got tossed into the chaos of being around the others again.
He pulled up to the Cozy Corner Motel and got out of his car, hoping Sally would be in the lobby, and fortunately, she was. His heart clenched at the sight of her standing with her back towards him. Oh, she was a sight for sore eyes.
McQueen snuck through the propped-open front door to the front desk.
Grinning, he taps on the bell on the desk, "Excuse me, ma'am, do you have any room for a weary traveler?"
Sally spun around at the voice, her eyes lighting up when she saw who it was.
"Stickers!" She cried, quickly rounding the desk and throwing her arms around his neck. McQueen squeezed her close, burying face in his face into her short, blonde hair, gratefully inhaling her strawberry shampoo and instantly feeling at home.
"Fuck, I missed you," McQueen mumbled.
Sally didn't respond, but by the way she clung tighter onto his shirt, he felt safe to assume she missed him too.
Eventually, they pulled away just enough to look at each other eye-to-eye.
"I wasn't expecting you back so soon. How fast were you driving?" She teased.
McQueen shrugged, "Wanted to be home."
Sally smiled softly, "I'm glad you're home."
Suddenly, she gasped. Her soft smile widened.
"You won." Sally gripped his arms and bounced on her toes excitedly, "Congratulations!"
McQueen chuckled at the sudden switch, "Yeah, I guess I did."
Sally rolled her eyes, "Yeah, I guess I just won my fourth Piston Cup, and I'm not even 25 yet."
"Well, I couldn't have done it without you."
Sally waved him off, "I wasn't the one driving, that was all you, Stickers."
"Yeah, but I wouldn't have even gotten behind the wheel if you hadn't encouraged me to, and if you hadn't been in the Pit for those first couple months, I would have quit." He squeezed her waist, "Thank you, Sal, for everything."
"Don't unsell yourself. I'm really proud of you for getting back out there."
McQueen smiled and pulled Sally close again. Sally briefly rested her head against McQueen's chest before she pulled back, "You hungry? Everyone's at Flo's, and they all want to celebrate you. Plus, they'll be mad at me if they find out I hoarded you all to myself for much longer."
"Well, we wouldn't want you to get in trouble."
McQueen briefly waited outside while Sally put away the paperwork she had been filing. Once she finished, she joined him. McQueen wrapped an arm around her shoulder while she slipped an arm around her waist, and the two started strolling towards Flo's.
"So, are you here all summer?"
"Yeah, I need some time to recharge."
"Good. I know Mater will be happy."
McQueen smiled, "I'll be good to spend some time with him. With everyone. I miss you guys when I'm away."
"Funny how four years can change so much. I remember when you would have set yourself on fire to get away from here."
"Now, I barely want to leave."
And it was true. McQueen never felt as happy and at peace as when he was here. If could find a way to move all his races to Radiator Springs, he would probably never leave.
But before he could think more about it, they arrived at Flo's.
"Look what the cat dragged in," Sally said as she walked into the diner.
McQueen barely stepped a foot behind her before he found himself swarmed by the townsfolk. Mater gathered him in a bone-crushing hug before he started rattling off about how much he missed him. He got another tight hug from Fillmore and a firm handshake from Sarge. Flo quickly herded him to a booth, talking about how skinny he was and how much he needed to eat more.
The other townspeople squeezed in and around his booth, all chattering at once about town news and congratulating him on his win. He glanced over at Sally, who stood by the booth. She gave him an amused smile, and he grinned back at her.
It was good to be home.