Fanfic: In The Fast Lane

21: A Thought

Chapter 21: A Thought

"You shouldn't challenge a Challenger…"

"Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want something, isn't it obvious?"

"And what is that?"

"A protégé….And you're the only thing parked in my way!"

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to take care of it."

"Take care of what exactly?"

"You…"

The next morning, John was the last to wake up. He found his way to the V8 Café and there, the rest of the townies were talking away. Smiling wide, John drove up and greeted them.

"Good morning everyone!" he said and they all looked at him with slightly surprise.

"My, my. Are you the same car from yesterday? 'cause I do think believe I've heard you say anythin' that loud before." Flo remarked, causing John to chuckled.

"Heh, yeah. I'm the same one."

"What's got you in such a good mood, soldier?" Sarge asked in a commanding tone.

"Uh, well I remember something." John said and the others' smiles matched his own.

"That's wonderful, sugar!" Flo cheered.

"Yeah, it is. What do you remember, man?" Ramone asked.

"I'm a racer! Like, you know, a racecar!" none of them shared his joy, instead, they were all confused

"Uh… you sure man? I mean, with that paint job I dunno if you've been racing in a while." John shook his hood with a half smile.

"Heh, yeah well, I was a racecar." he explained. "At some point or another, I used to race around Heaven knows how many different tracks!"

"Well, that's fabulous! What made you start remembering that?" Flo asked, and they all seemed to lean forwards. Harley had a slight worried expression in her eyes.

"Well last night…" John caught a glance of Harley who was beside Sheriff. She had a pleading look as she glanced up to Sheriff and back at John. "Uh, last night I… I had a dream! I was racing around this track. I can't remember which one, but it felt great! I felt like I was meant to be there!" John saved Harley's hide and she gave him a look of gratitude.

"Well, we have a track here!" Sheriff said. "Maybe racing on a real one will jog some more memories." the others verbalize their agreements then they looked at John.

"I mean, we could give it a shot." he said and the others cheered. Harley smiled and, now feeling comfortable once again, drove out in front of the others.

"Follow me!" she shouted and sped off.

"Harley! Be careful! Slow down!" Sheriff yelled and quickly followed in pursuit while the others simply laughed and drove in no hurry behind them.

"They are always like this." Flo said as she and Ramone drove beside John. "Back and forth, Harley driving too fast, Sheriff getting on to her." she started to laugh through her words. "It might as well be routine now!" John chuckled slightly, still holding a smile on his face.

"Oh I'm sure." he said. "But she has a good family here, that's for certain."

"Oh yes. We're fortunate to have her." Flo said, then Ramone piped in.