Jackson couldn't sleep well.. Morning came. Jackson was moody and cranky and tired. And he kept overthinking the entire situation with Sky.. she called him dad. And though it shouldn't bother him like this it did.. made him hurt inside. He hated that name. A dad.. no! He fought himself hard to hide his anger and pain..and to make things worse.. Jackson was nervous..
Storm and his team went down to meet Ruby Koedel, the other teams. Get their vehicles. They got to meet and see a lot of interesting teams. It was a show off yourself kinda style event. At least that is how Storm wanted it to be. Storm wore a black tank top with his leather racing jacket. Black skinny jeans and converse. Cruz wore a yellow off the shoulder, a line gown. It looked amazing on her. She wore a big silver diamond styled necklace around her collar and Some white sneakers. But you couldn't see them with the gown being long. Lightning wore some jeans a v neck dusty grey shirt with some sneakers and his Lightning bolt chain Sally gave him years ago. Storm complimented Cruz as they entered elevator. "You are truly the most beautiful person I have ever seen Cruz.." it made her smile. They got to ride in a limo. Cruz sat across from Storm. "I really don't feel good.." Cruz announced to Mcqueen and Storm. They were sitting on the other side. Storm spoke up, "Your probably just nervous. Don't sweat it." Cruz faked a smile. Enough to convince Storm she guessed. Jackson stared at the floors. He was. He was so nervous. And tired. So tired.. the lack of slee.. the plane ride.. Cruz coming down with whatever she had... then...
The limo stopped. Storm exited first. Cruz came out as she took Storms hand. Then Lightning last. They walked down a black carpet. Crowded on both sides full of fans and cameras. The flashes were really bright. Storm loved the attention. He smiled and waved a little...
Once they entered through the glass crystal doors they were all impressed. It was a huge glass like building. Lots of people. Some casually dressed and some formally dressed up. People stared as they all walked by. Cruz spoke up, "um.. I think I'm gonna go to the ladies room real quick!.." and she ran off in search for it. Lightning caught up to Storm. Storm didn't seem to care to much of Cruz being sick. Lightning asked Storm, "Don't you think you should check on her?" Storm faces Mcqueen as they stopped and answered, "Eh I think she's fine." Lightning wasn't convinced completely. He left Jackson. Jackson rolled his eyes. He didn't have the energy or the patience to deal with Cruz being sick. She'd get over it. So it didn't seem like that big a deal? People get sick all the time. Jackson walked through the crowd. Alone now. He passed by a few cute dancers.. "Wow.. don't have that in America.." he smiled a bit. He looked over and noticed one the racing teams. He raised a brow.. deciding he'd go over and see them. Jackson walked over and spoke up with a grin "Don't look like much you guys? What's this the new Justin beeper band?" The three men stared at Jackson. He was rude. Cruz and Lightning walked up. "Hey there you are babe!?" Storm said loudly. He pulled Cruz close. Lightning stood idly by. The three gentlmen stood in front of them. "Right well I'm Oliver Smith, I'm the one who got invited," he had a brutish English accent. Oliver continued. "This is my team, George and Harry. My best friends and racers I know!" He said with a smile. Storm introduced his team. "Yeah it's a pleasure to meet me I'm sure, I'm Storm, Jackson Storm. This is Cruz. My lady. And Lightning McQueen. We better get around to the other racers." He oulled cruz with him and left. The three Englishmen gave them a look. Lightning smiled awkwardly as he followed his team. He caught up to Storm and concerned he said, "Maybe you shouldn't be.. um.. Stuck up?" Storm stopped and glared at McQueen and answered, "Let's not forget Champ. You're here because I said so. I picked you. You should be honored. Anything I say we do. We do. How I say to do it and when. Let's not forget your place." Cruz was shocked by the disrespect Storm just had for McQueen. Storm walked off. He didn't mean to snap at Lightning. He was stressed. Freaking out inside. He was overthinking the situation back home and he was so nervous here. Racing here.. it wouldn't be like back home. And that scared Jackson..
Storm was walking to the front area. He was bumped into by another man. Storm knocked he other man down accidentally. He helped the guy up. The man spoke, he had an Italian accent, "I am so so sorry!? I did not see you there.. I was not paying attention.." the man brushed Storm off a bit. Straightening up storms jacket. "Again I am so sorry!" The Italian noticed the number 2.0 on the corner of Storms jacket. He spoke up, "Awe.. you must be a racer? I'm Alessandro. And you are? If I can ask I am sorry.." Storm glared and answered "Storm. You can call me Storm." Alessandro frowned and apologized again and ran off awkwardly as he continued to apologize and bump into people. Cruz and McQueen caught back up. "Finally the two of you show up." Storm snarled. Lightning grabbed Storm's shoulder and spoke up, "Don't act like your better than everyone else. Stop being so upper class." Storm rolled his eyes. Cruz whispered in his ear, "Jackson this isn't you?.. please.. your acting weird.." she kissed his cheek. Storm sighed. "Okay." Storm answered looking at the two of his team. A few people walked up. One a girl and two men. The girl stood out. She had pastel pink braided hair. She was really tiny. They spoke with a German accent, the girl spoke "Look Paul. We have found a banana." They all laughed at Cruz. Storm and his team just stared confused and dumb founded. Storm spoke up "And looks like we found ourselves a couple of Schnitzel pricks!" The German team laughed still. Lightning spoke up, "Alright we get it. You racers?" The German team laughed a little more. Storm and his team stared. The girl spoke up "ya!? I'm Mia, this is Paul and Ben. We are The German team." Cruz covered her mouth.. "I think I'm gonna be sick!?.." she said. The Germans laughed again and one the men spoke, "She must be sick of being on the losing team!?" They laughed. It really wasn't that funny. Lightning spoke up again, "Alright!? It's not funny. She's fine." The team rolled their eyes. Then the speakers spoke up and were heard throughout the building. "Please make your way to the stage racers. We will be introducing teams shortly." Storm glared at The Germans. They walked off. Cruz felt okay again. They all made their way up. Ruby Koedel introduces the teams. They came up when they heard their names.
The cameras were rolling. Flashing cameras. It was a huge event. Ruby was up on the stage with the microphone. She was wearing a giant black Baldwin dress. She began to speak, "Welcome. Welcomed racers, fans, even to you reporters. Welcome to the four day rally race. Where one team. Of three racers will win the prize of three cars. One million dollars. And a huge trophy. Along with the name of champions!? I'm Ruby Koedel. Host and creator of the rally. We will begin our race on the beautiful country side interstate. A long stretch that will prove endurance. It will take 7 hours for our racers to reach the first checkpoint at a minimum one hundred miles per hour. Racers will start side by side. One from each team. Then the next line up and they'll go. And he last team member and they will go. First ones to reach the following checkpoint start first and get to stay in luxury! In order to count as a win. All three team members and their vehicles must make it to the checkpoints. So be sure to pack plenty of water, food, gas, tires even. Anything you or your team will need! You can refill and pack and get more items at each checkpoint. So let's introduce them!? Firstly, team Korhonen!" The crowd cheered. Camera recorded everything. Three women walked up, "I'll introduce our handpicked racer, then they can introduce their team memebers!? Alright!? So our racer and team leader, Magdalena Korhonen of Finnland!" "Please. I go by Leena." Leena messy dyed grey hair with black in her roots. Extremely perfect make up, pale skinned with a tiny little waste. And big brown eyes. She introduced the first girl Twain Virtanin. She had long dark thick brown hair, hazel eyes and a perfect tan body. Then the third team member, Ansa Nieminen. An for short. An had dark think brown hair with bangs. Tied back in a pony tail. She was very tall with bronze tan. She looked like a super model. She had dark grey blue eyes. Kinda like Storm's.. the crowd cheered as they exited. Ruby introduced the next racers, "Team Muller!" Those Germans who were quite rude walked up. Mia Muller, Ben Schmidt, and Paul Schneider. Cruz whispered to Storm "I don't think I feel so great Jackson..". Storm sighed "You'll he fine." He said. He was actually getting annoyed with Cruz a bit. Why was she so sick? She probably just ate bad food.
"Now team Russo!" Three men walked up. Jackson watched. Then he froze. He heard the sound of loud sniffing? He looked over at Cruz?.. "What are you doing?" She looked up at him. Startled a bit. She was smelling him?.. did he smell? No he always smelt good?.. Cruz smiled and laughed fake a bit. Now she was being really weird. She just smelled him?..
"Team Smith!" The crowd cheered. Cruz felt better again thank goodness. "And our final team!, Team Storm!" The crowd cheered as the three walked up. "Our racer, Jackson Storm!" The crowd went wild. Storm waved. "Thanks so much Miss Koedel for inviting me. My crew and team members here are fairly close to me more than just as racers. Meet Cruz Ramirez. Love of my life, And Lightning McQueen. Who I've convinced out of retirement." The Germans were laughing. The crowd cheered.
Jackson wasn't paying any attention. He was chatting with Ruby. Suddenly Cruz puked all over the stage in front of her. God it was embarrassing. Everyone stared and was silent and some even awed and woahed! Cameras flashed.. it was aweful. Cruz's eyes teared up... "I'm so sorry!" She ran. Storm glared toward the crowd and asked "Yeah can we get a clean up over here?" Lightning shook his head as the racer and ran off the stage to Cruz.
Jackson sighed. Ruby raised a brow and asked "Is your team member okay? Do you think this will effect her racing?" Jackson answered as a few
Men cleaned it up. "No. Cruz just has a small bug. She is a strong racer. A stronger woman really. This is nothing. I am fully confident in my team and ability to win. Nothing has ever stopped me before." He glared at the other racers. The crowd cheered. Jackson walke doff stage. Embarrassed. Annoyed. Frustrated. He looked around for Cruz. Finally she and Lightning came out of hiding.
Jackson grabbed Cruz's hand and asked "What's going on with you?" Lightning spoke up "She's not feeling good. Maybe be a little more gentle?.." Jackson glared at Lightning then Cruz answered asking "I don't know. But I wanna go back to the hotel. Please?.. I wanna showed and rest.." Jackson sighed and answered "Might he best.. let's go..". Cruz was really tired. She showered. Lightning and Storm were going over the papers. Packing lists basic etc. Jackson and Lightning finished up. Jackson realized Cruz was in the shower a while?.. "Alright you head on out. Get some rest champ". Jackson patted Lightning's back. And Lightning did go to his room to rest up. Jackson walked over to the bathroom door. "Cruz?.. Babe?" He knocked on the door. Odd... it made him nervous a bit. He opened the door. "Cruz?.." he noticed her on the floor. Sitting against the shower. She seemed dazed? "Hey.?.. You Okay?" He asked. Jackson knelt down next to her. She had her bag. A towel wrapped around her body. "Cruz?" He asked. Cruz looked at him. He eyes wide.. She was pale. She spoke up ina funny shaking voice "J..jjj..Jackson... I'm... I.." he sighed. He brushed her hair back and took her bag and placed it behind him and spoke up "Cruz you look awful.. you're really sick huh?" Cruz nodded. She seen a ghost maybe. Jackson sighed and went out. Grabbing one his shirts he walked over and stood her up. "Come on Babe. I got you." He pulled his shirt over her. Like a night gown. The towel came off. Jackson guided Cruz to the bed and
Layed her down. "Hey.. love you.." he said softly and kissed her forehead gently. She fell asleep fairly quick. She was tired. Jackson smiled at her. Watching her sleep a bit.