It was early morning and Lightning's phone buzzed of a text. He tolled over in bed and glanced at it. Cleo. He rubbed his eyes and opened it viewing a beautiful picture of her back and ass sitting on the bathroom counter. her legs were sprawled open but again, could only see her backside.

Cleo

Don't have too much fun with this. Thought you could enjoy some morning candy.

Lightning snickered and set the phone down. He had to get ready for work...

Sally had dropped her kids off at daycare the following morning. In the corner were the usual snobs snickering and talking. Sally ignored them. Especially Cleo. Sally kissed each kid waving goodbye, letting her children know she'd see them after work. And Ofcourse Cleo came up greeting "Good morning Sally." Sally tried not to glare as she greeted in a mutter "Good morning Cleo.." Sally was too busy and stressed already for this.. "Sally, I had a few questions.. Sense I'm dating Lightning now.. More so, about his taste in muscle cars?" Sally raised a brow asking "Wait? you two are in a relationship? He didn't tell me that?" Cleo snickered and shrugged saying "He didn't have to? You're not his wife?" Sally felt something snap. Pain or anger or her heart or what!

"Anyway, we were talking on our date a few days ago and I want to surprise him with something.. But I need to know his taste. Is he a mustang kind of guy? Chevy vette? Camaro? ooh! Maybe I could get him Maserati.." Sally was still shocked at the very idea that this woman and Lightning were!?... were... Thud.

Cleo, along with other parents rushed to Sally after she fell. Cleo called out "Someone call 911! She fainted I think!?"...

"Sally? .." His soft familiar voice. Sally opened her eyes. It was blurry at first but she made out the man next to her. "Lightning..." She softly exclaimed. Lightning grabbed her hand and asked "Are you okay?" Sally realized she was on a hospital and nodded with a smile "Yeah, I'm fine." Then her annoying voice, "Yeah you are! I basically saved your life!" Cleo said with enthusiasm from across the room. Lightning glanced at her. Sally sighed sure she did... Sure Cleo saved her life... "Oh gosh.." Sal muttered under her breath.

Cleo walked up and grabbed hold of Lightning's arm but Lightning pulled away and talked to his ex wife "Cleo called me. Said you fell? Just passed out at daycare?" Sally shook her head answering in a bland tone "Yeah.. I.. Don't know what came over me.." Cleo spoke up "Doctor said it's stress honey. Oh! I could have a massage for you set up at your house? I know a man who does wonders." She winked. Sally just glared. Lightning chuckled at that but continued to Sally "You need to go home. Take a break from work Sally.." Sally snickered snapping "Easy for you to say!? I am the mayor, an attorney AND I still run the motel!" "Let me help." Lightning offered. Sally glanced at Cleo then back at Lightning and asked "You'd do that?.." Lightning nodded answering "Ofcourse." Sally looked at Cleo and asked "And you'd?.. Be okay with that?.."

Cleo smiled answering "Ofcourse! I just love how thoughtful Lightning is. Always willing to help a damsel in distress. He's sort of a hero.." She said with this.. Sexual allure on her face. Lightning snickered with a smile continuing "I'll take care of the motel for the rest of the month. I'll call if I need you." "But he won't." Cleo added. Sally glared at this woman and asked "Can I get a moment.. Alone. With Lightning.. To talk business.." Cleo and Lightning stared at each other. Cleo adjusted Lightning's shirt and whispered something in his ear before leaving the room and shutting the door.

Lightning sighed and watched her leave. He definitely checked out her ass as she left. Sally shook her head and asked "Are you two something serious now?" Lightning raised a brow asking "What?" "Are you actually seeing her still? Dating her?" Lightning sshrugged "I didn't think so. Not yet. We had a good date. Why?" "Because she says you two are dating!? And if you're not, you need to set her straight!" Sally scolded. Lightning stared and slowly smiled and chuckled a little stating "You.. You're jealous?.. Aren't you?" Sally's eyed widened "What!? No! But.. We still.. Have our.. Weekly meeting this week?.. Or don't we?.." Lightning snickered and kissed Sally's forehead assuring "We definitely do. Actually.. How about.. I come over shortly once you get settled back home.. I can help you.. Relax?.." He whispered in her ear then began kissing and suckling her cheek, ear lob, chin. Sally gently pushed him away and scolded "Not if you're sleeping with her too!" Lightning stared but replied "Lucky for you, I haven't slept with her." Sally just stared "Really?" she asked.

Lightning didn't answer. Just stared. "But the kids.. I will need to pick them up tonight still and"-"I was suppose to get them tomorrow anyway? I'll just get them a day early. Give you an extra day off mom duty. Okay? You're stressed.. Need to relax mayor." Sally sighed but nodded. Lightning smiled and added "You want me to come by shortly? Before I get the kids?" Sally shook her head answering "No it's.. Probably best you don't today.. Just.. Get the kids and take them for the extra day.. I'll.. See you another day." Lightning stared. She was upset. Something was hurting her? Was it him? "Sally I"- The door opened and Cleo stepped back in announcing "I am so sorry. But I have some big news for you Daddy." Sally stared and raised a brow. Daddy? Lightning faked a smile and blushed a little but replied "I'll be right there Cleo." Cleo nodded and shut the door again. "I.. Better go then.." He said unsure. Sally nodded replying "Yea. Thanks Light. But Daddy?.. really?" Lightning shrugged and kissed her forehead once more before taking off...

Lightning and Cleo walked down the to the lobby of the hospital as they chatted. "So what's this big news?" Lightning asked. Cleo smiled answering "You know how we talked about getting you a new car right?" Lightning shrugged "I suppose.." Cleo grabbed his hand continuing "Well.. It's a surprise as of what it is. But I got you one. It's in Vegas. A few hours from here." Lightning yanked his hand away asking "What?. You bought me a car?! Why? I thought you were losing money? That's why you were letting people go and selling your house?" Cleo nodded but explained "True. But I'm downsizing, not broke? There is a difference. Besides, I couldn't help spending just an eencie bit on the sexiest man alive. You deserve it baby and I won't take no for an answer mister!"

Lightning was stunned and thought about what Sally said so asked "Do you think we are in a relationship?" Cleo stared and raised a brow answering "Well.. Yes. I thought the date we had well.. With the way it ended.. I maybe slutty, but only for whoever I am seeing. I am a faithful woman Lightning." Lightning nodded. Thinking. "Don't you want to just... Take me? Claim all this as yours and yours alone?" She asked. Lightning stared, looking at every inch of her body before shrugging answering "Maybe.." Cleo smiled and grabbed his hand saying "I need you to take Monday off. That way we drop the kids off and take the day to go to vegas and pick up your surprise." Lightning sighed explaining "That'll depend on Cal. I gotta ask him."

Cleo frowned and fixed Lightning's hair, "Such unfairness.." she whined. Lightning didn't understand, "What is?" Cleo smiled answering "Well.. I just feel like you should be the boss of that school. Not Cal. I think Tex made a mistake. I mean, you are obviously the more professional choice Lightning. Regardless of your relationship with Cruz at the time." Lightning sighed and nodded "I kind of agree to that. But Tex did what was best. Cal has worked hard to become the boss." Cleo shrugged replying "Guess it is what it is."...

Lightning returned to work for the remainder of the school's hours. He was cleaning up his office and sorting out a few students schedules when a knock came to the door. Cal walked in asking "How is Sally?" Lightning shrugged answering "Stressed. She really needs a break is all." Cal nodded askin "So she's okay?" Lightning nodded. "Good, glad she is. " it got quiet as the two friends stared a moment. Then Cal asked "Hey? You wanna get some drinks or somethin monday? Me, you, and Megan? I feel bad about some things between us lately and.. Think we could use some down time ourselvesm" he joked. Lightning snickered answering "I'd love to but.. Actually I need to ask for Monday off. Cleo and I are just... Taking a drive." Cal chuckled lightly asking "Wait? Cleo is the woman your seeing? Cleo De Frank?" Lightning nodded.

"Wow. She's somethin." Cal added. Lightning chuckled adding "You have no idea." "How's Sally taking that?" Cal asked. Lightning sighed and leaned back into his chair, "She's jealous. I think." Cal's eyes widened agreeing "I bet! I'd be jealous! That woman is.. Just something else!" Lightning snickered. "So dating is goin well for you?" Lightning nodded answering "Yeah, Cleo really is kind of nice actually. No baggage, no horrible history between us. It's a clean slate to start new." Cal was impressed replying "I'm happy for you Light. Good for you." Lightning thanked him. "Hey, We'll plan drinks another time. Just Monday though and don't have too much fun." Cal joked before headed back out the room. Lightning sat there. Hmm. Maybe he was getting himself into a real relationship with a new woman. It wasn't Sally, wasn't Cruz. She was his clean slate...

That evening, night, Sally decided to try and call Francesco up on her phone. Usually she would wait for their weekend video chat which was tomorrow night. But after Cleo.. She needed a friend... And thankfully Francesco answered. Though the reception wasn't the greatest.

Miss Sally. To what do I owe the pleasure?

"Hey Fran.. I.. Um.. Just wanted to hear your voice."

You sound upset. What is wrong?

She sighed, "Um.. I fainted during drop off."

What? Are you okay? Are you in the hospital? What happened?

"Stress. I just.. Work too much I guess."

Awe.. So are you okay?

"Yes. Lightning took the kids tonight, giving me an extra night.. Doctor told me I just need to rest.."

Good. So you are right?

"As much as I can."

What is bothering you?

"Well.. Lightning and this.. Stupid woman are.. I don't know. It's ridiculous. This woman he is seeing is a gold digger and a whore and she pretends to be nice and friendly but she isn't. No way. She is playing him. Using him."

McQueen? This is about McQueen?

"No, about Cleo, this stupid woman."

Awe.. Okay. Francesco will ask once more.. Do you not want I to come back to you? We could.. Start something new?

"What?.. no.. I can't.."

But.. If McQueen is seeing someone? What is holding Miss Sally back from me?

"I just don't know what I want Francesco.."

Francesco sighed.

Sally... I miss you. And I want to be with you and I want to treat you like a gem. But I can not from here.. I aslo.. Can not keep this up any longer. I have waited patiently for you to he ready.. But it now a year pass. And?.. You still do not want me?

"Don't say that?.. I do want you.. But it's complicated.. I'm just.."

Afraid. Francesco knows.. But.. Fear is a way of knowing you are human. We can talk over the computer tomorrow.. But.. Sally, I have.. met someone else. She is no you. You are far better and My heart is yours but only if you can give me your heart as well.

That hurt. Lightning moved on.. Francesco was threatening to move on.. She was going to wind up alone!

"Francesco I.."

I have to go. Please be serious with me and tomorrow we can talk again. About what you want from me. If you want me, I am yours. Goodbye My Sally.

Sally hung up. Her heart was breaking more and more. She was going to be alone.. Losing Lightning and Francesco...