Everyone was asleep. Lightning had his arm laying over Sally, wrapped around her as they slept. The kids were asleep and tuckered out. The alarm clock went off and average day began. Lightning shut off the alarm, kissed Sally's cheek and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door. Sally got up and threw on a robe before heading down to begin breakfast. Lightning stood in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth. Thinking of this christmas party Cleo had planned. What if she wpuld show that video publicly. But then again, she wouldn't have anything to hold onto him anymore if she did. Lightning needed someone to find something on Cleo, and now! He got dressed and went and grabbed his phone. At first, he was about to call and ask Bobby for help, but instead, he found himself calling on Storm for this one.

Lightning headed down stairs where he was greeted quickly by his oldest, "Look dad! I made my letter to Santa!" The young one exclaimed with excitement! Lightning smiled saying "Really? Let me see that." Lightning took the letter and glanced over the scribbles all ove the paper. "Um.. What's that?" He asked with a chuckle. Colton placed his hands on his hips answering "Dddaaaaaddd, that's the car I want. See, it's red and blue and blue." He pointed out at the colored scribbles. Lightning sncikered and nodded, tilting his head "Yeah, I... i guess I can see that now..." Not really, but it was cute. Lightning handed the letter back to his son, messing his hair up before entering the kitchen and greeting "Morning." Sally turned and shot a quick smile toward her husband.

"Good morning." She replied as she was cooking away. His good little house wife it seemed at times. "You know.. Despite this party Cleo has planned, I feel like this christmas is going to be pretty good." She added. Lightning let out a sigh and reluctantly agreed. He was more fearful of what Cleo was going to hold him to next. "Hey, I'm probably gonna head out after some coffee.. I gotta meet with Jackson at the academy." Lightning said as he approached his wife. Sally frowned a bit asking "Is it Jackson or Cleo?" A bit with a glare of suspicion. Lightning snickered and hugged her answering "Jackson. But it's about Cleo.. I promise I'm going to handle this." He kissed her forehead. That scared Sally. "Handle what? What has Cleo done now?" she asked.

Lightning's eyes widened slightly. "Urm.. Just.. Cleo working at the academy. I got this." "Hmm.." She was suspicious. "Could just buy her a house and pay her to leave.." Sally growled. Lightning stared a moment. He thought she was over that, but apparently not. He sighed once more before kissing her cheek gently then grabbed a coffee to go. "I'll see you tonight baby. Maybe the kids will go to bed early and we can.. You know?" He flirted amd tried to make her forget about that mistake he bought for Cruz. Sally was mad, but still laughed a bit with a shake of her head. "Yeah, sure. If they ever go to sleep. Those kids are way too excited for Christmas." Lightning smiled thinking of how happy his kids were over the holiday. "Alright. Love you." He called before grabbing his keys and heading out...

Lightning pulled up to the old dirt track behin the academy to find Jackson waiting to the side near his car. Lightning got iut, shut the door, and walked up. "Hey, thanks for meeting me." Jackson glared and immediately growled "You betrayed all us racers hiring that woman." Lightning stared a moment at the young man. Jackson was kind of right after all. Lightning sighed agreeing. "Yeah, I did.. I need your help. I need something on Cleo." "Why do you need me for that? Why would I help you?!" He snapped! Lightning glared asking "Really? Do you even understand what all I have done for your sorry ass! The mental stress, the money, the time!?" "I paid you a shit ton of money old man! You should have taken it and left me alone!" "Is that really what you wanted?" Lightning asked.

Jackson looked away, sort of pouting. "Stop this now!" Lightning ordered firmly. "Help me get rid of Cleo once and for all. Please?" He asked. Jackson frowned then with a glare, snarled "No! I have no gain in helping you! I already know what she has on your ass!" Jackson yelled and began poking Lightning on the chest as he continued "You slept with Cruz AGAIN! And now, your sorry ass is trying to keep your little WIFE from finding out! It's pathetic! How easy it is for your dick to just slip out!"

Lightning frowned a bit and nodded. "You're right.. I messed up. I was drun"-"No excuses! You're sleazy." Jackson interrupted. Lightning nodded again. "Cleo invited most everyone in town to this Christmas party this weekend.. She's planning something." "Probably." Jackson snarled while crossing his arms. Lightning sighed continuing "Please help me find out what it is.." Jackson glared at Lightning, thinking. "I'll keep my eyes out, ears open or whatever... But not for you." He growled and turned away. "I'm only looking out for myself." Jackson explained then left.

Lightning let out a sigh of relief as he walked and sat against his car. He did think of what Sallt had said sarcastically to him earlier. What if he did try and just buy Cleo out of town. Most likely he couldn't. Jackson came back in though suddenly saying "If you really want to mess with Cleo, just give her what she wants already.. The sooner she gets it the sooner she'll leave everyone alone." Jackson left Lightning thinking about that. Lightning really did think about it to. He wanted Cleo to leave, but giving her whatever she wanted just wasn't how he was going to do this anymore. He had been already. Been drinking because she would tell him to, or she show Sally that recording.

Lightning had enough of having to think and plan. He grabbed his phone and texted Cleo himself.

Lightning

Come on down to the academy. My office. We should talk about this Christmas party.

Cleo

Sure thing Boss. on my way.

And it wasn't long Cleo knocked on the door and came on in with a smile. "Good mornong Boss." She greeted. Lightning glared a bit, then sighed and put on a smile. "Good morning. Come.. Sit down." He suggested as ge stood. "I insist." He added in a low and almost threatening tone. Cleo stared a bit suspiciously at him. She walked over, her heels clacking all the way, then sat down in the chair. "So.. You want to talk about the Christmas party?" she asked unsure. "Because something tells me that this isn't about the party.." Lightning snickered and began walking around as he answered "Well I do want to talk about that too, but not just that." He came behind her and placed his hands on each of her shoulders.

"I want to know what you have planned exactly for my wife to make this party special. You know, sense she's your special guest.." He leaned down continuing "And don't leave out any details Cleo.. I need to know what dirty secret you have planned." He then walked back to his seat. Cleo giggled slightly replying "Ha.. Um.. I don't have any disastrous plan Lightning. She is indeed my special guest, but just because she's mayor of Radiator Springs. I do not plan on harming her or anything whatsoever." Lightning sat down and smiled a bit. "Oh come on Cleo. You have this tape that you know can and probably will end my marriage to her. Plus, I know that you say you want us to be together. Is that what all this is for?" He asked.

Cleo cocked her head to one side, just a little, before answering "Technically yes.. But I know you won't just leave Sally and Radiator Springs for little ole me without some persuasion.. Would you?" She asked with this deviously sly smile. Lightning swallowed nervously, stupidly, biting his lips and thinking before answering. What if he did play along and try just giving Cleo what she wanted? Lightning shook his head then explained "Thing is... If you show that tape to Sally, you lose the only thing you have on me as I lose the only thing in the world that keeps me barely grounded as it is. And that means I'll be a very free man. As a free man, I'll have NOTHING to lose anymore. You would be in a very dangerous position at that point Miss De Frank." Cleo raised a brow and smiled almost proudly. "Awe.. You've been thinking hard about this.. Haven't you?" She asked.

Lightning snickered a little answering "I have. I have and if you release that recording, you lose the only thing keeping you safe." Oh how Lightning could tell that what he just said pissed Cleo off. She looked seriously mad as she replied "I think you need a drink." She began to reach into her purse when Lightning sternly said "No." Cleo looked at him with shock. "Excuse me?" She laughed in anger. Lightning again said "No. I will no longer be having drinks with you. Now, tell me your party plans." Cleo snickered with a shake of her head. "I think I'll just be going then." She stood up, but Lightning slammed his hand onto hers, grabbing her wrist.

"You will stay and tell me that you have planned a nice, subtle christmas party with simple lighting and gentle music. You're having it here, my academy, where I will be monitoring all guest and most importantly you. You will sit down and swear to me that NOTHING absurd or degrading will happen to Sally whatsoever. She will have a wonderful time with ME, HER husband. You will greet your guest then at the end of the night you will leave. Yes?" He was serious. Cleo yanked her wrist away ans rubbed at it. "Or I can show her the video." She threatened.

"Please do.." Said Lightning. "Then I have nothing to lose and a dam good reason to blow your head off." Cleo just stared a moment. Thinking about whether or not Lightning even had something of that nature actually in him. "The theme of the party is a masquerade ball.. Wear a suite and a mask." She snarled then turned and left. The door shut and Lightning immediately dropped his head on his desk! THUD! "Why..." He whined. He didn't want to be this person. He didn't want to have to threaten this woman anymore or have to play ball with Cleo. Telling her to go ahead and show Sally that tape? What was he thinking!? But.. It seemed to work.. For now. Hopefully Cleo did do what Lightning said with this party...