Lightning sat in the dorm room he was given by Carl. The race tonight got canceled due to rain. Yep, it was raining. It would pass. Hopefully early morning they could do the race between the two racers to find the one Lightning was going to hire. It was storming pretty badly outside. Sally probably wouldn't even bother calling Chester tonight anyway sense the kids were probably up because of this yucky storm.

He sighed and waited.

And waited..

Nothing.

Lightning glanced at the clock, 9.39.. She wasn't going to call. She was probably trying to calm the kids. He sighed. Again. He should have been and wished he was there to make them feel safe along beside her. Even if it was just a little ole thunder storm. He decided to grab his phone and text Sally.

Lightning

how are the kids? They up?

She didn't reply. So yeah, they were either up and scared and all huddled around mommy or Sally herself was already asleep. Maybe that was a sign, maybe he should just head to bed himself...

Lightning groaned at the annoying sound of his phone going off. It wasn't an alarm. Besides, it was the middle of the night! He felt around next to him before finding it, placing it to his ear answering "Hello..." No one answered and the ringing didn't stop. This woke him up more as he stared at the phone. Lightning sat up and glanced at the computer he left open. It was ringing. Which meant..

Lightning jumped out of bed and stared at her name. Sally. Confirming the voice he wanted to hear. The lights were still off. He couldn't show his face.. He pressed the key and answered as he cleared his throat. "Hey... You alright? It's late.."

Sally had a lamp on next to her. She looked beautiful. "I'm sorry about that.. The kids were up late because of the storm and.. I hope it's alright I still called?" she asked. Chester answered quick, "Ofcorse!" Sally raised a brow and cocked her head to the side "Why can't I see you?" "Oh um.. Electricity is out." "But the compu"-"Charged." he interrupted aand explained in an excuse. The look she gave him was that familiar Sally look. The slightly raised brow and her lips over to the side and a little squint in her eyes. "Sorry.." Chester muttered. Sally stared at the screen. She was unsure what to say really. "What did you want to talk about?" She asked. Chester sighed and took a few seconds before answering "How much... You should know me. The real story and why I.. Why I am even this.. Person.." Sally frowned and asked "Does this mean?.. What you talked about before? The real you?" Sally couldn't see it but he nodded answering "Uh.. Yes.. First I should tell you that.. I don't.. I never worked for Lightning.. That was just.. It'll make sense I promise.. Um.. When we met.. How we met?.. I never even planned it. Never thought you'd follow.. There." Sally shook her head.

He just didn't know she already knew and part of her wanted to interrupt this and just blurt out how she knew! But.. Instead she let him continue to explain. "And.. I couldn't tell you the truth. Not there and... My plan was, I was there to find a racer.. For the academy. And then you?.. You showed up and changed everything again. I found that you did love me as long as I wasn't me and.." "And what?.. You pretend to?.." She asked. Trying to get him to come out with it. Chester sighed again replying "I did sort of. If I came clean you'd push me away and..You don't know how much I need you and love you. And there's nothing I can do to make you feel anything anymore I guess." "That's not true." she corrected. "It is.. It is because you.. You'll push me away after.. Can I.. This is messed up." Sally crossed her arms and leaned back with a sigh. She debated to help him along but.. This was something Lightning needed to come out with himself.

"Sally, I love you. I never wanted any of this painful crap I put you through and.. I wish I could give you what you deserve which is more than me.. Chester.. Chester Vitte is.." Sally swallowed hard then shouted "Wait!.. Just.. Wait.. I shouldn't have to tell you this but wait. Wait and let's meet up. Please. Talk to me in person. I deserve that right?" Chester hesitated but answered softly "You do.. You do and your right.. I'm sorry.. I really messed up.." "It's okay.. It'll be okay I think.. Goodnight Chester." Sally hung up and held her mouth to muffle her gasping heart ache. Lightning was going to come clean. She had so many questions. Like Cruz!? Why was she even around whatsover if he wanted her!?...

"Alright! Hope you two slept good and are ready for this." Carl exclaimed to his two best racers. Daniel Lapp and Liam Rover. Liam snickered answering "Ofcorse. We all know the best us gonna win." Dan glared and didn't say a word. Carl raised a brow asking "You ready Dan?" Dan nodded. Liam snickered again explaining "Dan is fine. He just is trying to figure out how he will gracefully lose." Dan rolled his eyes. Liam was all too full of himself. Celia walked up to the racers and immediately placed an arm around Liam. "You will win for sure." she assured. Dan shook his head. Liam laughed and asked "Jealous Dan?" "Not at all." he answered. "Where's Lightning?" Celia asked. Carl glanced at his watch before answering "Uh.. Anytime now."

Lightning ran up just a few minutes after that was asked. Out of breath he quickly apologized for being late. "It's alright. This is your race. And one of these two lucky contestants are gonna find their lives changing for the better." Carl said with a smile then he turned to his two prized students and pulled them aside "Now this is a huge opportunity for the both of you. I'm proud of you both. No matter who wins. And my school is gonna lose a great racer today." He was just pep talking proudly to them. Celia walked up to Lightning and asked "Did you sleep in?" Lightning shrugged "Sort of.." "Geez your old.." Celia griped. Lightning's eyed widened and just as he opened his mouth to snap at the girl Carl turned and said "Think their ready!" "Great! Three laps. Make this quick cause I'm bust today. But give it your best." Lightning said. Liam nodded once. He was full of confidence. Dan glared at Liam before they both put on their helmets and headed to their cars.

"They'll be starting side by side. No one gets an advantage." Carl exclaimed. Lightning nodded replying "Good." "Not like there's any competition." Celia snarled. Carl and Lightning looked at her a little confused. She giggled explaining "Liam is just the better racer. Really he has an advantage just sitting in the driver seat." Lightning glared at her and muttered "We'll see..." A lot of students were out on the stadium to see this race! One of their fellow class mates wouldn't even have to officially graduate! Today, they would become the racer of Lightning McQueen! You can't believe to imagine how exciting that was for these kids! They would race with the big names, some like Jackson Storm and Cruz Ramirez herself! The crowd cheered for their friends. Liam had even a few girls with giant signs with his name on them, screaming his name. Liam was cocky and had reason to be.

Carl had a remote, the remote to press the lights from red to green. He hesitated and stared at the button. Lightning noticed and asked "What are we waiting for?" Carl sighed and handed Lightning the remote saying "You do the honors." Lightning was surprised but took it and smiled pressing that green light! The two racers were off quick! The fans cheered loudly! Dan and Liam were side by side as they went into turn one. "Come on Liam! You got this!" Celia cheered. For really no reason, it bugged the snot out of Lightning that Celia was so full of it with Liam.

Turn three and Liam was pulling ahead. Which wasn't a surprise. Lap two and Liam was a few seconds ahead as they began the turns again. Celia nudged Lightning and smiled "Looks like we're bringing Liam home." Lightning nodded. Whoever won was getting the job. "Wooh! Final lap baby!" Liam shouted as he shifted out of turn four and to the line. Dan right behind him. Dan glanced at his coach or teacher Carl, Lightning and Celia and knew it was now or never. Dan had raced Liam multiple times and knew how to beat him. Shifting gears Dan tailed Liam out of turn two and stayed there until turn three. That's when he made his move! Liam was to full of himself and confident in his win that Dan was able to pull beside him on outside and run side by side! "Now look at that!" Carl said! "That's how you do it!" Lightning shouted. Celia couldn't believe it really. Side by side out of turn four! It was anybody's win. Liam knew he had to do something!

He turned into Dan's car in an attempt to budge him off his line. Dan let off the gas and came around Liam's inside, gassing it! The two crossed the finished line, Dan first only by a foot! But that foot won! The two racers screeched to a hault!

The classmates cheered! Dan Lapp won! Liam got out and was a little mad. He couldn't believe he lost! He lost and lost the opportunity of a lifetime! A few of Dan's friends ran down congratulating him. Carl smiled and slapped Lightning on the back saying "Congrats! Dan is an excellent racer. He'll serve you well." "I hope so. Invite him to dinner tonight if you will?" Lightning asked. Carl nodded "Yea! We stillon for that tonight? Our families and Dan?" Lightning nodded amd added "Celia, if you wanna join." he stopped when he realized Celia was already gone and off with Liam. Lightning rolled his eyes. Carl chuckled and joked "Think she's pre occupied." Lightning shook his head. "Hey, their young. I'll call you tonight with the details. Can't wait to meet little Monty McQueen junior!" Carl shouted as he walked away. Lightning sighed. Oh he didn't want his sons being like him. Lightning sort of promised himself in this moment that he would do everything he could to make sure his sons weren't like him but instead, that they were better than him...

First the zoo, the aquarium, lunch, beach, playground, and the family was tuckered out and somewhat sun burned. Well more of Sally was. They visited the kids' uncle Chad too. By the time they all made it back to the motel, the kids watched less than five minutes of tv and were all passed out om the couch. Lightning sighed and stared at them saying "Maybe I should call Carl and cancel. These kids aren't going anywhere tonight." Sally nodded as she dried her hair with a towel. She immediately had to shower. Minty walked over and sat next to the kids saying "You should go Monty. you said your new racer was coming along too. That's something you should be professional and show up to." Sally agreed adding "I think your mom is right. You have to go." Lightning sighed. He planned on the entire family going but honestly he felt pretty warn out like these kids!

"You could go to Sally." Minty exclaimed. "What?" Sal asked. "Yeah. I mean there's no reason you can't go and enjoy a nice dinner without the kids." Sally and Lightning glanced at eachother. A small smile crept onto Lightning's face. Sally definitely noticed it and even through her sunburn you could see her adorable blushing cheeks. "Eh.. Urm.. I don't.." "Oh come on." Lightning coaxed. "I'd love tobe in company of the Sally Carrera." he pushed. Sally glared, a friendly glare with a smile. Minty smiled saying "Settled. You're going. I'm just gonna get these kids into an actual bed. You need to shower first Monty." Lightning glared at his mom and snapped "I'm a grown man. I know when to shower."

Minty giggled like she didn't believe that. So off Lightning went to shower. Once he was gone Sally softly scolded Minty saying "I know what you're doing Minty. It's not very funny and I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't.. Please." Minty's eyes widened as she replied "He is my son baby. My youngest son. You two were made for each other. He made a mistake and you did to. You'll understand when your kids get older. A mother doesn't stop being there and pushing." Sally sighed and let it be. Mostly because she knew she was falling for him again anyway. And maybe she needed a push...