Sally and Cal began looking everywhere for Lightning. He didn't answer Sally, wouldn't answer Cal. He had them both worried after the events with Cleo. "Lightning?!" Called Sally around his house. The camaro wasn't there anyway though. Cal walked down the street that Lightning lived n. "Lightnin!.. Lightnin!?" He called. No sign of him anywhere though.
They searched down town. Getting Sheriff involved and Mater. Sally searched the motel, the diner.. Cal asked around and kept an eye out for the camaro, but it was like he was just gone, vanished into the thin air. Cal and Sally met back up and Cal asked "Did he say he was going anyplace else?" Sally shook her head then remembered. "Well.. He said he had a flight out to Florida.. But... Would he?.. Did he really leave me stranded at the hospital so he could go run to Cruz?" Cal stared at Sally. He honestly wasn't sure anymore.
"I was so close Cal!" Sally cried! "I was so close to getting him to wake up and back! I got a glimpse of him, the real him today and now!?... Now what!?" She yelled! Cal sighed and suggested "Let's go back to my place.. I can call Cruz and Tex maybe and see if he went there." "If he hasn't?" "Than we keep lookin." "And if he has?.." Sally asked with a whimper.
Cal stared at her and didn't know how to say whatever he should say even. If Lightning just stranded Sally fro Cruz.. It was clear who meant more to him anymore and Cal didn't want to say that to Sally. "Go to my place, tell Megan I'll be there soon. I have one more place to see if he's at." "Where?" Sally asked. Cal shrugged answering "Bobby's.. ? I'll be home right after and call Cruz."...
Cal walked into his home to find Megan and Sally waiting up for him in the kitchen. "Was he there?" Sally was quick to ask. Cal frowned and shook his head. "Bobby says he hasn't talked to him." Sally frowned and became more and more hurt by all of this.
"It doesn't make sense.. I had him guys.. I had him right there and he was... For a moment he was Lightnin McQueen." Sally exclaimed. Megan and Cal glanced at each other. Not sure what to do. Then Cal announced. "I'll try calling Cruz.." Not exactly what Sally wanted to hear, but it needed to be done.
Cal stepped away and Megan sat down next to Sally. Rubbing her hand up and down her friends back. "You can stay here tonight if you'd like Sally.." Megan offered kindly. Sally smiled a little, wiping her eyes. "Thanks Meg.. But I don't want to cause you and Cal any stress." "You won't. I know you won't" Meg assured. It was nice that Megan was so understanding in this time of need.
Megan brushed her hand over some of Sally's hair. "While you're here, let me fix this hair up for you. I've been cutting Cal's hair forever and I know I can make your's a little neatly trimmed. And maybe change out of this old and dirty race suit." She laughed. Sally snickered with a smile.
"So you really raced Lightning McQueen?" Asked Megan. Sally nodded. "What was that like compared to your old romantic drives?" Megan asked. Sally sighed answering "He was.. At first I really was a little afraid, but.. Like I said. I saw glimpse of him. The Lightning I know. He's a racer.. They all are.." She reminded looking over at Cal who was on the phone. Megan sighed and stared at her husband.
"In all honesty Sally.. Cal is the same way. He use to be so.. Open and lively and fun and.. After his second accident.. He changed. Crashes change the way racers are. The drugs do not help. But we married into this. You have to remember you chose this life to... We chose to marry thrill seeking men with no fear knowing that one wrong move and they may not ever come back.. I've had to tell myself that for years..Hits close to home when I think about how Cal's Father and his cousin died in race accidents to." She admitted.
"You got to remember that as hard as is it for you.. It's probably a lot harder on them. Racers are exposed to G loads higher than astronauts, stuck in hot, humid cars, every weekend Blood glucose goes up, oxygen goes up, it's a metabolic work out and they wear full fire proof suits and helmets that prevent the body from cooling itself.. Drivers sweat.. A lot. Losing weight to the point it can make them sick. Add in the vibrations for hours of G force hitting them and the strain of the eyes.. Plus the neck, shoulder and core pain they feel later from the position on the seats. ." Sally raised a brow saying "You've really put some research into this.." Megan nodded and continued. "I married a race car driver and out of fear for the worst.. I wanted to know every little thing happening with my husband behind the wheel so I could help him he best way I could off track and care for him. Cal was... We almost got a divorce after the third accident. Because Cal wasn't Cal to me."
"But.. He seems fine now." Sally pointed out. Megan shook his head saying "He's never been the Cal I married again. I mean he's there. Sometimes it's like the accidents never happened, but most times.. He's this new.. Moody.. Grumpy perfectionist that I have to keep reminding myself that he is still Cal and I love him no matter what. I don't think he chose to change how he was. I think the accidents and medications did it. I hope that's what's to blame really.."
Sally rolled her eyes saying "Yeah, but Cal didn't cheat on you.. Over and over.." She growled. Megan frowned and did feel bad that had happened to Sally, but "True.. But see this?" Megan asked, lifting her shirt and revealing a nasty little scar on her pelvis, hip. Sally's brows lowered as Megan explained. "It was after the second accident and.. We were at Strip's track and Cal and I got into a fight because he didn't want to take a break from the track. He was having some vision problems. He got out of hand and grabbed a tool and threw it at me. I had to get stitches.. He was angry and I blame the drugs. Because the Cal I know, would never have done that. There is a dark side to racing that fans don't see.. The side where racers are abused for their talents.. Forced to put on a smile and act like they feel no pain. no hurt, no strain and race once to twice a week and plus training and qualifying.. Wish someone would do something about it. Maybe one day instead of making the cars safer, they'll just start making it safer for the driver's health."
Sally thought about that for a moment. Someone really should put a stop to that and help the race car drivers. She also thought of Meg's personal story there, staring at Cal who was still on the phone. "Could Lightning's affairs be because of the medications and the accident?" Megan shrugged answering "I.. I mean maybe.. They pump a lot of drugs under AMI into racers to get them healing and back on the track as fast as possible. Not to mention anything they take on the streets.. And Sterling seemed like a sponsor who treats his racers like property rather than people. Then again.. I hate mentioning it.. But you did sleep with Ben.. A lot of stress for Lightning all in one blow if you ask me..."
Careful there. Sally frowned. "Yeah.. I messed up when Lightning needed me. I won't make that mistake again though. I don't care if he chooses Cruz over me.. He needs help. Even if I have to.. To talk to Cruz and she be the one to get through to him.." Oh how Sally hated and hurt saying that. Cal sighed and hung up announcing "Well. Lightnin ain't with Cruz. Not yet anyway. If he is headed there, he'll be on the plane.. We'll just have to wait til tomorrow morning Sally.. I'm sorry." He apologized. Megan rubbed Sally's back saying "Stay here tonight.. We have the room.. Please?" Meg pleaded. Sally hesitated, but she knew she probably shouldn't be alone tonight...
Lightning took a deep breath in.. Cotton? Bedding. Oh nothing ever felt so good as to a comfortable bed in the morning. Lightning opened his eyes slowly. He felt as if he had been hit by a train. His vision was blurry as first. He saw the clock on the nightstand. Blurry.. He groaned a bit and pulled a pillow over his head and tried going back to sleep.
Hopeless though. He was up. Then he began thinking about last night. His head didn't really hurt. That was good. Wait.. He was in.. Florida.. Shit.. Sally.. Lightning got up. Naked. Where was Cruz? He looked at the time. 4?.. Four PM!? Wow. Lightning sighed and ribbed his eyes. He really slept in. He got up and headed to the bathroom. Besides needing to piss pretty badly, he needed to shower. He smelled like sweat and sex and cum. God it was nasty.
He noticed a note on the mirror, and took it down readin,
Went to qualifying, be back tonight. I have to talk to Tex about the rest of the season. See you tonight.
Lightning sighed and stared at himself in the mirror. He was a mess. What happened last night? He was with Sally.. "Fuck.." He muttered. Sally must be worried as heck. Lightning had to shower first though because he wreaked! So after a good shower, and getting dressed, he began the search for his phone.
Searching through his bags, he grabbed out all his medications. He really didn't need to skip out on those. There were only a handful of drugs that racing didn't allow. twenty one. There were twenty one drugs that racing did not allow. The other hundred of hundreds were approved to take and still race. Lightning was still on a lot sense the accident. Some for pains, headaches, motor function, the coma. He grabbed the pills and took most of them. He stopped at one. and stared at the label. Glancing over the warnings and effects.
Cal and Sally had made him think twice about it now. But like Cal said, can't just stop taking it. Lightning sighed and took it to. But he didn't usually get like he did last night? What happened? Cleo.. Cleo said something would happen in a few hours. Lightning groaned and sat there a moment. Cleo had to have slipped him something. Why? Did she want him to act all.. Crazy like that with Sally? With her? It made zero sense. Lightning really needed to find that phone and call Sally.
No luck for the first little bit. Gosh he was starving.. He walked into the kitchen and as he did, The front door opened and Cruz walked in. She smiled greeting "Hey! Really wore yourself out last night huh!?" She smiled. "I tried waking you up before I left, but you were out like a log!" She joked as she walked up to Lightning. "Have you seen my phone?" Lightning asked.
Cruz shook her head then explained. "No.. Could be anywhere though. You came in here and just, bam! Straight to the sex.." She laughed awkwardly. Lightning sighed and asked "Do you have any food?" "Sure. I have a pizza or two maybe.. Sorry.. Don't have much." She admitted. Lightning rubbed his head. "That's fine.. I'm sorry about last night Cruz.. How's the uh.." He paused and stared at her belly. Not much of one yet, but starting to notice. "The baby.." He mumbled.
Cruz glanced down, rubbing the little bump answering "Good so far." "You talk to Tex?" Cruz nodded. "He said talk to Cal or Strip sense he's been letting them take charge anyway." Lightning sighed and nodded. He knew Cal would pull her from the track. Good. Meant Cruz would be safe during the pregnancy. "Are.. you okay?" Cruz asked. Lightning shrugged answering "Yeah.. Just had a bad day.. Hey, you were a trainer and worked with racers for a while.. Did you see any come in and.. Not be able to.. Live or race normal after an accident? Because of.. Medication maybe?"
Cruz thought for a moment before admitting "I mean.. Being totally honest here, you were like the only big accident driver I ever trained. Everyone else was more like.. Rookies." "Oh.." Not exactly what he wanted to hear. "Why?" Cruz asked. Lightning shook his head answering "No reason." "Okay. Well.. I have the rest of the night! You are coming to my race tomorrow, right?" "Yeah. I want to see you race. Been a while sense I've been out on a real race track.." Lightning chuckled. Cruz smiled saying "No worries, I won't let you get lost." She winked.
Lightning snickered. Cruz was always so.. Happy and positive. He walked up closer to hr and caressed her cheek saying "Don't let racing break you.. You are an amazing person Cruz.. Don't ever change.. Please.." Cruz stared into his eyes, a little confused. "Okay." She quietly agreed. Lightning wrapped his arms around her, hugging her. It was odd. Cruz noticed that Lightning was pretty broken all over again.. Was it her? Their baby?.. It hurt because she felt as if this was all her fault.
BBbbbzzzz
Cruz's but vibrated. "Haha!.. That's uh.. I better get that." She blushed. Cruz stepped away answering "Hey. Cal, my man!.. I mean not.. Not what I mean, I meant... Oh. Yeah, he's here. Oh..." Cruz stared at Lightning.
Cal looked at Megan and Sally saying "He's there." Sally jumped out of her seat saying "Let me have the phone, let me talk to him!"
Cruz handed the phone to Lightning saying "It's Sally.." Lightning stared at the phone and hesitated even answering this one. He sighed and placed the phone to his ear answering. "Hey Sal.."
What in the fuck happened last night!? I ran out to find you! Cal and I looked everywhere for hours!
"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened.. I mean I have memories, but.. It's all messed up and blurry and doesn't make any sense to me."
That's not good enough Lightning! I'm coming to Florida.
"Uh.. Alright... What about the kids?"
I.. (Sigh) I have to go back to them first...
"Don't worry about me, I'm fine now."
You except me to believe that!? You.. You ditched me for.. Her..
"No I didn't. Like I said it.. I don't exactly know what happened. I remember asking about you to the front desk then I was at the air port and the plane and.. I think Cleo slipped me something Sally.."
God dammit that bitch. It'll be out of your system by now..
"I.. I'm sorry.. Hey, are you okay?"
Yeah. Yea, I stayed with Megan and Cal last night.. Lightning...
"Yes?.."
(Sigh) I love you..
"I love you Sally..."
Um.. Put.. Put Cruz on please..
"Um.."
Please. Before I change my mind.
Lightning handed Cruz the phone saying "Wants to speak with you." Cruz was surprised and took the phone answering. ".. Yes?..."
Cruz... Lightning needs to be watched... He's not himself, he.. He hasn't been. I got him to race last night and... He maybe suffering long term side effects from one of his medications and on top of that he's been dealing with Cleo and.. Me.. And your.. Situation, look... Can you keep an eye on him and take care of him for me. Please.. I can't be there right now, but you.. You.. You can...
"Yeah, of course.. I won't let anything happen."
Okay.. Thank you. I'm.. I'm counting on you Cruz..
"Yeah.. I got this Miss... Mrs.. Sally.. I can handle withdrawal, no worries. I've had a few come in back in my training days and not to mention that I"- This isn't some trainee Cruz! This is Lightning! He is my husband and the Father of my!.. Our.. Kids... Please. I need you to promise me that you will be there for him.. However he needs.. you...
"I can do that..."
Okay.. Bring him home soon. Not Radiator Springs though.. Not for now. I don't trust Cleo... Bring him back to your place or.. Call me and bring him to me after this weekend, okay?
"Oh, uh.. Okay."
Thank you...
Sally hung up the phone and sighed with a frown. She could not believe the words she had just said to Cruz. To Cruz! Megan lay her hand on Sally's shoulder saying "You're being the better woman here Sally." Sally's brows lowered. She was angry, but more hurt than anything. She dropped her head onto the table and cried. Megan and Cal just being there for her for now sense.. Lightning couldn't...
"And Cruz Ramirez takes the win!" Announced the intercom. Cruz spun out and gave the fans some smoke before pulling into the pits and getting out of the race car. Her crew quickly congratulating her when she ran to the nearest trash can and puked hard! Some racers curled their noses at her. Some people pointed and stared. One official grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to her. Lightning walked over and took her hand, leading her away to her garage and closing the doors so that it was private.
"You okay?" Lightning asked. Cruz nodded and wiped her face with some wipes. She was dripping in sweat. "No more races until after the baby, right?" Lightning asked. Cruz shrugged answering "Well.. I might race one or two more. Not sure yet." "Nope. Not happening. You need to think of your health and.. The baby's.." He still didn't sound very happy about this.
Cruz frowned asking "Are you sure you want me to have this baby?.." Lightning's brows lowered. "YES! Stop asking me that! What do you want me to say!? GET RID OF IT!? NO! Because that's not right! NO! No.. I.. I.." He took a deep breath and calmed down. Cruz was concerned. "You sure you're okay?" Taking his hands in her's. Lightning pulled away answering "I'm fine. Just.. Please stop racing for now." "Want to.. Move in with me?" Cruz asked. Lightning's eyes widened. "What?" "Move in with me." Cruz said with a smile.
Lightning thought about that and shook his head. "No.. No, I.. I need to see and speak with Sally.. We're... Still married Cruz. Which means there's a chance that maybe.. I miss my kids Cruz.. I miss everything I had.." He whimpered. Cruz felt bad for him, she wanted him to want her, but that might not ever happen anyway. "Okay.. I'll book us a flight to wherever she is now... I'll call her tomorrow.." She said. Lightning hated seeing Cruz hurt.
"Hey," He started. "Let's celebrate. You won!" He smiled proudly. "We should get some.. Something to celebrate and head back to the motel." "Really?" Cruz smiled. Lightning nodded. Cruz nodded back saying "Yeah. Yeah that might just be what you need anyway. Let me get done with signings and I'll get us a limo." She replied and rushed out. She ran back in saying "Be right back! Don't go anywhere Mr. McQueen." Shutting the door and leaving him alone.
Lightning stood there in the garage. It was so quiet compared to out there on the track and stands. He walked over to Cruz's spare car and brushed his hand over the hood. That race with Sally felt good.. Made him smile a little thinking about those drives he and Sally use to take. She was fun and wild and.. He changed, not her. Lightning frowned thinking about how he just fled the scene and left Sally at the hospital. Why did he do that anyway? Then he thought about something. He was with Cruz. There was that time that Sally smoked something Cruz gave Lightning. That's what he needed right now. To feel loose and good about himself and not so depressed and down about everything. If he remembered much of anything from the other night, it was how good he felt. How happy and calm he was in those between moments. That felt good, that's what he needed. Happy and Calm...
After signing, Lightning and Cruz grabbed some food to take back to her room to eat and probably watch a few clips and replays of the race. They got inside and Lightning took the food from Cruz saying "Here, let me help with that." Cruz raised a brow with a smile. Well, well. Someone is in a much better mood." She giggled. Lightning snickered saying "Yeah, that's because I got these!" He took out the rolls and set them down on the table with the food.
Cruz's brows lowered as she saw them. "Drugs?.. Did you smoke some of these?" She asked. Lightning shook his head answering "No. Well, not yet. Something to celebrate with is all. No big deal, just a little pick me up." "A pick me up? I'm pregnant. Or have you forgotten?" Asked Cruz. Or maybe he didn't actually care what happened to this baby.
Lightning stared at her answering "Well.. I.. Didn't really think about that, but.. Hey, I'm just needing a little bit. Get my energy going back up." "Energy? Seems like your energy levels are fine Lightning." Cruz argued. Lightning took one out and explained "LOOK! I need this Cruz! I can't.. Think.. Easily right now. I'm... I need something to just make me feel a little more alive. Not over doing it." "Right.. Look, I'm all for a little.. Hit now and then and I'd even argue that it could help sometimes, but.. Sally talked to me about some of your medications might be on the fritz. Let me look over them and then advise you if a hit or two is gonna be okay or not." Lightning snickered rudely. "I don't need a baby sitter Cruz." "I'm not a baby sitter, I just"-"Look, I thought you were the fun one between you and Sally?" Cruz stared a moment.
Did he just compare her and Sally as defense? "I am. I am, but.." "Then shut up" Lightning replied, taking a smoke and sitting down. Cruz realized maybe this could be bad, but she brushed it off for now. Lightning was stressed lately and it could help him relax after all...
