Fanfic: In The Fast Lane

14: Some Confessions

Chapter 14: Some Confessions

The minutes that the cars of the jury were gone grew into hours. Harley looked uneasily at Doc who looked just as tense as she was. Harley inhaled deeply then looked for a clock, but she couldn't find one. Glancing up at Judge Stafford, she saw that even he looked on edge. Finally, she caught a glimpse of Sheriff who tapped his tire on the wood floor. Harley looked at her hood and could barely see her reflection of her eyes. She glanced back with her mirrors and could a glance from her uncle. Strip gave her a small smile and she smiled too. Then the door suddenly opened and the courtroom of cars seemed to be lifted with interest once more. A small letter was lifted up to Judge Stafford and every car held their breath anxiously in wait of the verdict. He first read it to himself then looked up at the courtroom.

"So the decision has been made by the jury, but I would like to ask Harley something. Miss Harley, if you would come forth." Harley looked at Doc and he gave her a comforting look then urged her forward.

"Y-yes sir?" She hesitantly asked.

"Harley, I want to know before I make the final decision, where do you want to stay?" Even though the entire day had centered around that issue, the question caught her off guard. All this talk about where she would go, but she never thought about where she wanted to go. Harley glanced back at Doc, glanced at Strip then looked back up to the judge.

"Um.. w-well…." Doc held his breath. He tensed up slightly and stared at the young Cadillac CTS-V. Harley gulped and her eyes looked around the room.

"Harley, focus on me." Judge Stafford commanded. Her eyes reluctantly fell onto the intimidated Ford Mustang. "Where do you want to live?" he asked again, and she took a deep, , Doc tapped his tire anxiously on the wood floor quietly.

"I… I miss my mom…" The local doctor seemed to slump slightly onto his tires, but tried not to show his disappointment as he looked down at his hood.

"So you want to go with your mother and stepfather?" she thought for a moment then shook her hood.

"If I can't live with Uncle Strip, and if Jeremy is still going to be mean then…." she used her mirrors to look at the still upset Doc. "Then I guess…" the rest of her sentence faded into soft mumbles, but the state judge heard her anyways. His cold scowl softened and he nodded.

"Well I'm glad to hear that, because the jury is in agreement with you… and so am I." while the crowd began to mutter anxiously, Doc looked back and forth between the Cadillac and the Ford trying to decider the final decision. Then Judge Stafford seemed to lift off his wheel wells as he went to address the courtroom. Once they saw this, the muttering amongst the crowd faded. The judge rose his voice.

"I have decided where this child will be placed. After the testimony of Harley Davis Stockrim, the input of Strip Weathers and now the verdict of the jury, it is clear that Harley will indeed stay here in Radiator Springs under the official legal guardianship of Doctor Paul Hudson." Doc inhaled and lifted up slightly. A smile fought to find its way on his grille, but he suppressed it, but it didn't stop it from shining in his eyes. "Having said that," Judge Stafford continued, "The legal rights and the custody of the child must be given from the Milers to Mr. Hudson. Since this is my official ruling, it will be done.

For the safety of the child, Mr. Hudson will and I Milers will rendezvous in a later decided location and the league signing of the papers will be done." he paused and thought about his next statement. "I also want warrant an investigation on Jeremy Miller for alleged child abuse and domestic violence." he paused again then gave a nod to Doc then another to Maggie. "By the power vested in me by the state of Arizona, this decision is finalized. Case dismissed." he honked twice and the crowd started to file out as he lowered himself and left the room. Once he was out of sight, Doc let his smile break through as he drove up to Harley. She looked up and saw everyone leaving then turned to Doc.