Sally stared at the tv screen late that night in bed.. Lightning was at thunder hallow with Cruz. Enjoying himself no doubt. (he was not disguised so everyone knows) Sally sighed. He was becoming the man she usw to know and would more than likely be with Cruz again before long.. Like usual. He comes and tells her how much he wants her..Only to run back to Cruz. It hurt. Lightning seemed to finally let go though these last two weeks. As for Francesco..They never talked about Sally accidentally saying Lightning's name instead of his. Sally tried once more but Francesco shut it down. He told her that if she didn't mean it fine. He would let it go this time. But if she meant it she had better call off the wedding.
Francesco was such an amazing man. So sweet and caring and definitely did not deserve that. Francesco came out of the bathroom and only wearing his usual silk boxers, lay next to Sally in bed. She glanced at him with a soft smile. Francesco sighed and smiled at her asking "Does McQueen plan to come to the wedding?" Sally shrugged silently. Francesco nodded and turned away from her. Sally frowned. Feeling bad sense both of them hadn't forgotten how she called out another man's name. "Fran.. I love you." Francesco sighed muttering "And I you my Sally. But.. Francesco is tired.. Too tired to fight tonight.." Sally was a bit confused and snapped gently "I am not looking for a fight?" Francesco snickered "Good. So let us sleep.. Per favore." So.. Sally lay down. Wrapping an arm over Francesco and getting some sleep for the night. But not without thinking about Lightning. And the thought of being forever married with someone who wasn't Lightning.. Kind of made her feel sick.
But then Francesco turned and faced her asking "Let me just ask this... Do you?.. Love McQueen still?" He partially already knew the answer but he wanted to hear her say it, hear her confirm it. Sally stared at her fiancee with this heartbroken look answering "Lightning and I can not be together. He had completely ruined all trust and faith that I ever had in him.." Francesco stared a moment before replying "That was not an answer. You are avoiding.." he frowned. Sally sat up explaining "Francesco I do. Not like I love him enough to be with him again but..Lightning was a huge part of my life for many, many years! We have kids together!? I can't just drop him off the face of the earth like he doesn't exist." Francesco sat up and continued their spat, "Well you can't love us both! It is not fair to me! I have not done you wrong! That man had lied and cheated multiple times on you! He has in your own words, made life hell at some points! But you scream his name in my face as we consummate!?" Sally sighed and dropped her face into her hands.
She wanted to give up. To just give up on loving anyone at this point. But she took a deep breath and apologized again for that one "I am very sorry Fran. That was my mistake.. I'm sorry.. You definitely did not deserve that... But I promise that I love you." She took his hand continuing "I love you and.. I can't wait for all this wedding stress to be over. I want us to be happy." Francesco snickered and was going to snap back sarcastically but.. He loved Sally and instead he let out a deep sigh and nodded "I love you..." He leaned close and kissed her cheek then lay back down, turned away so she couldn't see his frown and his pain of what she had done.. Calling Lightning's name.. It was something that would be hard to forget...
Sally woke up late. She was awoken by the sounds of Francesco fumbling around the room getting dressed. Sally sat up and softly greeted "Good morning.." Francesco glanced at her but did not return her greeting so she asked "Where are you headed off to?" Francesco sighed answering as he tied his shoes. "To the gym or maybe on a run. Need some air or some time to myself." Sally frowned. He was pushing away. "McQueen texted you this morning. Wants to see the kids sense he skipped out this last weekend." He added. Sally nodded and asked as shshe felt concerned "Are you okay?" Francesco shrugged asking "Why wouldn't I be? I am perfecto." Sally didn't reply. Just stared at her man. "Two more weeks and we will be married. Hmm?" Francesco reminded. Sally smiled and nodded "Yeah... Exciting. Isn't it?" Francesco snickered asking "Is it?" Sally just stared. Unsure what to say. Francesco leaned close and kissed her goodbye quickly before heading out. He had his own thing to do.
Sally sighed. Alone. She had to get ready, get the kids ready and get moving out the door but.. She grabbed her phone and looked at Lightning's text. She sighed once more. What was she going to do anymore. She really did love Francesco and really did not want to take any chances with Lightning anymore. He was so painful to touch anyway..So much of just bad history that.. It just hurt to much. How was she to know that Lightning would have really changed?...
Lightning and his small team were on the plane and headed back home. Cruz sat down next to Lightning. First class seats. More like amazing leather recliners! Cruz propped her feet up and let out a slight moan saying "I still can't believe like two years ago, I could barely afford to fly!" Lightning snickered and leaned back in his own seat. Closing his eyes. Luige and Guido were already passed out in the other side of first class. Double seat rows with pod like doors for privacy if the passengers wanted. The attendant offered Cruz a drink and she gladly took one. Cruz flipped through some magazine as she enjoyed her drink. She glanced at Lightning and asked "You asleep?"
Lightning opened his eyes and glanced at her. That answered that. "Sorry." she muttered. Lightning leaned back and closed his eyes. "So... What's new with you?" Cruz asked making conversation. Lightning sighed answering "Nothing. You know my schedule." Cruz frowned a little and changed it "How are the kids? Bet they missed you this weekend." Lightning opened his eyes and looked at Cruz answering "Yeah sure. But they'll get over it. What about you? Anything new with you?" Cruz shrugged explaining "Not really.." "How's Miguel?" Lightning asked. Cruz turned with a frown. Which made Lightning curious. "I lost custody of him. My.. Patents.. Said I was.. Immature and so convinced a judge to let them have custody." Lightning's felt bad hearing that and apologized.
"Don't be. I can visit and see Miguel anytime just.. Lives with his grandparents." Cruz assured. Lightning nodded then asked "How um.. Did Mateo take you leaving?" Cruz shrugged admitting "I don't really know.. When I left I just... Left. Never looked back. Francesco hates me." Lightning snickered rudely hearing that name. Cruz raised a brow then remembered. "Oh.. Sorry. Forgot that he's marrying Sally soon.." Lightning shook his head snapping softly "It won't last. It can't. He is not right for her." Cruz didn't really know what to reply to that. "Do you?... Want her?" Cruz asked cautiously. Lightning stared at Cruz, into her eyes. He sighed answering "I did. But.. I got to focus on finding some students. Which.. Reminds me. Where do you think I should look?" he asked. Cruz shrugged answering "Could just do online applications like any other school." Lightning shook his head explaining "No. I want real racing students. The ones with so much passion.The kind of people that aren't in it for money or to just say oh hey, look at me! I went to a fancy racing school!" Crux had to think a minute.
"People like thunder hallow. Only.. More professional." He added. Cruz bobbed her head back and forth. "You have the little dirt races a few hours from Radiator Springs. In Nevada. You could find students there?" Lightning agreed but then another problem. "But.. It's gonna be hard to show up and your presence not effect how the racers well?.. Race. You know?" Cruz said. Which was true. Imagine you are a low level nobody racer and a champion comes to watch! You are not going to race the same."Sounds like I'm gonna have to hide." Lightning joked. Cruz giggled a little at that.
"To bad Chester was already exposed." Cruz replied. That got wheels turning but still no actual ideas. "I could always watch from a distance." Lightning suggested. Cruz raised a brow and laughed "And look like a creepy stalker? Probably not the best idea." Lightning sighed replying "Yeah.. You're probably right.. Well we'll think of somethin. For now..." He leaned in his seat. "I am taking a nap." he closed his eyes. Cruz rolled her own then leaned back exclaiming "Think I'll join you on that." And closed her eyes as well...
Cruz woke up slowly. Feeling good after a short nap. Her head on.. Oh.. She lifted up to see Lightning passed out asleep and she was sleeping on his shoulder.. But worse... His hand was on her knee. It really was awful. Because it made her wish he wanted her and made her wish he would gently and slowly slide his hand up her thigh. The plane jolted a little and Lightning woke up. He noticed his hand and immediately pulled away apologizing. Cruz nodded without a word. Lightning yawned and asked "Are we almost home?" Cruz nodded answering "Any minute now and we'll be landing." "Great, I'm starving." Lightning exclaimed. Cruz shrugged asking "You wanna grab a bite? Not like a date! Just.. Friends. Because... A date would be so weird!" she faked a laugh. Lightning sighed. Honestly.. He hadn't had sex in a while and Sally was moving on and it was obvious she fully intended to be and marry Francesco.
It sucked. Lightning definitely looked Cruz up and down in her seat before replying "Yeah uh.. We probably shouldn't." Cruz nodded and understood. But Lightning stared at her and really began to feel that old lust growing within.. Part of him wanted to... Some how.. Hint.. Some type of sexual intent. But that wasn't his actual intentions. Cruz was his racer, his employee. NOT a play mate, not his partner, not a toy. He needed to actually keep it professional. But his body wanted something fun. If Cruz was even up for it. How would he ask without making their new relationship weird. So.. He decided and said "Actually we could grab somethin together. If you want to?" Cruz smiled but suspicious asked "Really?" Lightning shrugged answering "Sure. I'll probably just stay in a motel tonight and.." His fingers just gently and barely breezed the side of Cruz's upper thigh. "Spend the night there and.. Go home tomorrow." His fingers rubbed barely against her thigh. Back and fourth. Cruz stared at his hand. He was wanting sex. Definitely was hinting it strongly.
Cruz stared into Lightning's eyes and his half smile. Lightning's hand moved away. Cruz put on a smile and nodded "Yeah.. Maybe I might too." She added. But both were still unsure what they actually wanted to do. So maybe it was best they only grab a bite and then go their separate ways...