Cruz stealthily drove out of her apartment out onto the street. She'd have to change colors again, seeing as she was all over the news shown in her black and red. Cruz thought for a moment, before deciding to go with black. Black will help me look less conspicuous. And it'll make me dark like Storm... Cruz stopped her train of thought as she pulled over to the shoulder of the road, trying to collect her thoughts (A/N: Yes, I believe there would still be the idea of a curb/shoulder in the Cars world, even though no one would use the shoulder to park. I think it'd be made to help a car have a place to pull over if they need to stop for a second but they're on the freeway with no rest stops nearby.) Did I just say that I would look like Storm with black paint? Ugh, but I despise that little piece of shit... Cruz had never said or used vulgarity unless she had to, and she felt it was one of those times. She decided to get herself the paint she desired when something suddenly stopped her a block away from the store. No, I can't go in there... Cruz decided she had to go extreme on this.

She'd have to get painted under the table.

Meanwhile, Jackson and the McQueens were taking a drive through the park, talking about the current issues at tire. Storm had a three month vacation, and the McQueens wouldn't have anyone to mentor with Cruz gone. Damn... That's actually kinda sad... Jackson didn't want to admit it, but he was sad Cruz was gone. He just wished that he could have Cruz, his Cruz, back to him. Jackson blinked hard before thinking, Wait, did I just say "MY Cruz"? Wow, I really must miss her more than I thought... Storm didn't want to admit it...

But he was in love.

With Cruz Ramirez, who is supposed to be his rival.

Storm shook his cab, as if shaking off some water, and thought, I get it now... All this time, I thought I despised her, but after my crash, I realized something... I love her. Storm then said, "Hey, Sally? Lightning? I have to talk with you guys...", he trailed off.

Lightning and Sally were absorbed in their conversation, but as soon as they heard Jackson speak they shut up.

"Of course, Jackson. What did you have in mind?", inquired Sally.

"If you don't mind, Sally, I'd like to talk in private with the both of you." This piqued the McQueen's interests, considering the evnts that happened leading up to this. The trio drove under a tree out of the way of the more populated areas of the park, and after making sure no one was listening, Storm spoke up.

"I'm in love with Cruz." Lightning's eyes widened and his jaw dropped, and Sally audibly gasped. Lightning quickly composed himself and replied.

"Well Sally, I believe that's 100 bucks you owe me.", said Lightning as he extended a tire towards Sally. She took out a $100 dollar bill and handed it to Lightning. Storm was confused for a second before realizing...

"You bet on that, Lightning?!" Lightning chuckled before replying.

"Yes, Storm. We did. It's cause I knew you guys were in love. Cruz always tried to be nice to you back when you were a tailpipe."

"Yeah... you're right. Now that I think about it, she went out of her way to be nice to me, but I was still a tailpipe to her... I still feel bad..."

"Don't worry, Jackson.", said Sally. "The police will sort this out. It'll just take some time." Storm nodded.

"Yeah, same with the feds and Homeland Security. Alright, let's go. I'm thinking we hit up the local tra-arcade.", said Storm, cutting himself off from saying "track" when he remembered his doctor saying to take it easy.

"OK then.", Sally then drove off with Storm following. "C'mon Stickers! Don't be such an old man!", called out Sally. That got a laugh out from Sally and Jackson and a glare from Lightning.