The plane ride home was tiring. The kids asleep. Mostly because Sally gave them something to help them sleep. Minty was ear plugged and reading magazines. Lightning and Sally sat seperated. For most of the plane ride. But Lightning got up and uninvitingly sat down next to Sally. "What now?" she snapped quietly. Lightning smiled and asked "Can't I sit with my ex wife?" Sally snickered and closed her eyes and leaned back into her seat. Suddenly she felt Lightning take her hand, "Sally.." She stared at him with eager eyes. "We gotta get Cleo out of office." he said. Sally sighed but agreed asking "How? She hasn't done anything to get caught doing anything illegal.. And she's not hurting the town or the people.." "She demoted Sheriff and took away the cone. She's hurting the people." Lightning corrected.
Sally frowned. "Can you really not be mayor again?" Lightning asked. Sally nodded explaining "The drug charge is on record. Can't take it back.. I can't be mayor for three years." Lightning thought a moment. There had to be some way. "Hey? Where's Celia?" Sally asked. "She stayed behind for Liam.. Her new job that pays better.." Lightning growled. Sally giggled "She fell hard for that kid." Lightning agreed. "Hey?.. What if?.. You came and worked for me? At the academy? You could take over for Celia. And keep Heather under control." Sally's eyes widened. "You really think that's a good idea?" she asked. Lightning nodded with a smile and joked "Plus we can fuck whenever we want than." Sally Immediately slapped his shouldr.
"Too soon?" he asked. Sally just glared. Lightning smiled though and suggested again "There is no one that I trust more than you to help me run that academy." "Woah? run it? I thought Celia just organized a bunch of social stuff? Which I'm not very good at by the way." Lightning shrugged explaining "She did. But you are smarter and I trust you. I know I could leave the academy in good hands with you. It's in my will." he admitted. Sally's eyes widened again. "What!?" she shouted. "Why do you have a will!?" she yelped! Lightning frowned a bit explaining "Come on.. After the accident I just"-"No!" she interrupted "No! You don't get to die!? Ever!" Lightning just stared at her. It was one of those.. Okay?... Moments.
"Anyways.." he muttered. The two sat there. "We could get someone else you trust to takw on the job? As mayor?" Lightning suggested. Sally nodded. Who could she trust? She slowly looked at Lightning and said "Yea.. Mayor Lightning McQueen.." Lightning's eyes widened "Oh no. No, no. I'm a racer, not a mayor." he corrected. Sally shrugged "You've grown up a lot..Maybe not the best choice in women lately but.. You could be a good mayor. I know you'd do what was best for the town and think about it? I could help you as much as you needed." Lightning shook his head. "I'm not mayor material.." he griped. Sally sighed and joked "It's in my will.." Lightning glared at her then explained "I have way to much on my hands. We're gonna get you your town back. I'm gonna go see Cleo when we get back. Maybe I can talk some sense into her."
Sally rolled her eyes and snarled "The only thing that woman understands is sex. Shw is a sexual predictor Lightning. I hate how she uses her body like that." "Oh please, like you never used your body to get what you wanted." Lightning said with a chuckle. "I never have!" Sally defended! Lightning rolled his eyes and nodded saying "Sure.. Whatever you say Sal." The two sat there a moment quietly. So quietly. Sally sighed and asked "You wanna do it in the bathroom?" quietly. Lightning immediately stared at her all wide eyed. "You seriously?.. You mean you? And I?" He was blind sighted. Sally shrugged and answered "Why not? But only if I can call you daddy." she joked. Lightning glared. Nope. No, she wasn't calling him that.
"No." he growled and almoat pouted in his seat. Sally snickered and leaned back in her seat. "You tease to much." He added. Sally smiled almost proud like. She was playful and evil. "Don't worry.. We'll be home soon and you can run to your young girlfriend." she said so easily. Lightning glared at her though she didn't know it as her eyes were closed. "One day you're gonna get the fucking you deserve.." He muttered. Sally sighed replying "And ome day you'll get the fucking you don't deserve." Didn't make sense and it didn't matter that it didn't. Lightning leaned back sitting next to Sally. He did need to think how he was going to talk to Cleo though. Some how.. She needed to go...
Cleo's office door opened. She looked at it and smiled greeting "Hey there Lightning.. Been a while hmm?" she said flirtatiously. Lightning glared a little as he shut the door and got to the point. "What do you want Cleo. You and I both know it's not being mayor." Cleo snickered and shrugged "I enjoy being mayor. Getting to control this place. The people I dislike." Lightning rolled his eyes and leaned over the desk asking "Get real. You hate it." Cleo stood up and face to face with Lightning replied "Wel.. Why don't we start where we left off.. Then maybe I'll be more open to talking about feelings daddy..." Her hand caressed the side of Lightning's face and he slapped it away as he srood up striaghter.
Cleo rubbed her hand and scolded "Why are you even here? You can't make me leave the office. And what would you gain anyway?" Lightning glared explaining "It's not for me. The townsfolk need a real Mayor. Someone who actually cares about the town." "Like Sally? Please, if she cared of the people of her town? Why didn't she come to you before getting with Cal to bulldoze over that old track?" Cleo asked rudely. Lightning sighed and answered the best he could "Because that track wasn't owned by me. It.. It didn't concern me. Sally was being professional." Cleo snickered "Right.. That's what she is.. Professional." Cleo walked around and continued "I don't know why we never worked out.. We could have had everything together..." Her hands rubbed his chest. Lightning glared and watched her carefully. "Between me owning the town.. You and the academy.. We could easily put Cal out of business.." "What about Chick?" Lightning asked. Cleo shrugged "He's no Lightning McQueen.."
Her hand traveld south and Lightning stopped her. "What are you playing? Nothing you do makes sense." Lightning snarled. Cleo smiled and explained "Our love story might start out a little... Crazy but.. I can't resist a man like you. Why would you let your friends destroy us? Because all I wanted was your heart.." Lightning pushed her away gently and snarled "Not working anymore. I'm done. I am not letting you take this town apart. I am making sure you are taken down." "How Daddy? Your ex wife can't run.." Lightning glared and thought a moment before even replying to this woman.
"I don't...I don't know why you are doing any of this. But you won't win. I'm.. I'll run against you if I have to." Cleo's eyes widended. Lightning saw the fear in her eyes. Well duh! Cleo would lose in a heart beat against Lightning as mayor! "You wouldn't." she growled. She was right, it was just a threat. "I would. I will..." Lightning threatened. Cleo glared and shoved Lightning into his seat before explaining "Okay DADDY. let me explain how things work. This is my town now. If we are gonna have a problem then things are gonna get hell of a lot worse for you, Sally and why not put Cruz in the middle of it while we're at it." Lightning opened his mouth to speak but Cleo slapped his cheek and continued "Listen up McQueen. I always get what I want, what I like. And if I like pushing that pathetic blonde ex mayor wife of yours in the dirt than I will. You deserve everything happening to you. I think I speak for every woman you've ever fucked over there. And you definitely lack the balls to actually do anything about me. Because I know all your weaknesses."
Lightning glared replying "You know nothing." "Ha! Okay sure. Gage! Get in here!" Cleo yelled. "Really?" Lightning asked. "Calling over your boy cop to do your work?" Lightning snapped. Cleo glared explaining "No. He's the law." Gage walked in and shut the door. Cleo walked around her desk and pulled out a paper and handed it to Lightning. He glanced at it as he stood up. "A temporary id?" he wasn't sure what this was. going on so Cleo explained "Your former Sheriff failed to prosecute you for all your minor crimes. Speeding, failure to use blinkers, not stopping properly and driving off road, driving an illegal car on the road? The list goes on." Lightning stared at the id then Gage. "You're arresting me?" Lightning asked. Cleo laughed!
"Well maybe. As much as I'd love to see you tied up and.. stripped down to nothing.." She definitely looked him up and down. "I won't be the one arresting you. Gage." she said. Gage took the cuffs out and walked up to Lightning. Lightning panicked and asked "All those charges were dropped! What is going on!? It wasn't even actual charges!" Gage took Lightning's arms and said "Don't make me add resisting arrest.." The cuffs clicked shut. Cleo smiled and said "Good luck explaining this to Sally and the kids from jail.." Lightning was so worried now.
"Wait! This isn't right! Stop this right now Cleo! This isn't right!" Cleo stopped Gage and asked "Is there any way to release Mr McQueen?" Gage sighed answering "Revoke his license. He won't be aloud to drive but he won't go to jail." Cleo smiled and replied "There. Lose your license or go to jail." Lightning's jaw dropped as he explained "I have to drive! I have to teach racing!?" Cleo sighed and ashed Gage "Is there any way Mr McQueen will be able to drive a race car still?" Gage shook his head explaining "Takes a special license to drive a race car which to have, you need a driver's license." Lightning was furious! "You can't stop me from racing!" "You're right.." Cleo admitted "But jail can.. How long do you think you'll be sentenced with multiple laws broken hmm? Five years? Ten?" Lightning was scared. He knew she was right.
"Take him away Gage.." "Wait!.." Lightning shouted. "Fine.. Take.. Take my license.." He gave up. Gage had to make sure Lightning understood "That means no driving. No racing. None whatsoever. Do I make myself clear?" Lightning nodded slowly. "If I catch you driving you will be arrested and charged." Gage added then let Lightning go and took his license and left. Lightning was broken in a new way. He glared at Cleo and snarled "You'll pay for this.." Cleo snickered "If you can catch me first." She was evil! "Do you want me to call you a cab? A tow?" she asked. Lightning was furious. How dare this woman and replied firmly "Fine, you want me to be the bad guy? I'm the bad guy.. " "And what does that mean?" Cleo asked. Lightning glared answering "It means I'm done playing nice.. That I'm ready to do whatever it takes to save this town from you.."
Cleo laughed! "Okay.. Good luck with that. Oh... That reminds me? Have you been by your academy yet?" Lightning stared amd asked "What did you do?" Cleo shrugged explaining "Me? Nothing. But I know Cal and I had a breif meeting the other day about the little brawl you two had? He said something about getting you back properly.." An evil smile crept onto this womans face. Lightning was even more worried and took off quick! "No driving!" Cleo reminded.
Once he was gone, Francesco stepped in and said "You really made the wrong enemy there.." Cleo snickered and replied "Oh please, I can handle Lightning. You tell that spoiled brat she can have her hotel back?" Francesco shook his head. "She doesn't know you're here still? Does she?" She asked. Francesco frowned and shook his head again. "Grow some balls and go to her." she snarled. Francesco sighed admitting "It is not that easy.. I hurt her and messed up.. And she knows things that.. I wish she did not.." Cleo sighed replying "Look.. You want her back? Lie to her. That's the only way women really can be tricked. Just don't tell anyone I said that." Francesco wouldn't lie to her. That's why he ran. If Sally confronted him? He would have had to be honest to her beautiful and trusting eyes.
"Well.." Cleo said. "I have some work to do with a rich man whose obsessed with a cowboy hat. So get a move on Francesco. Don't over think this. Women love a man who takes what's his. So take her." She assured with a hand on his shoulder. "Oh.. And you got Cruz's family's number for me? I gotta get her out of town." Francesco nodded. Cleo smiled and praised him then left. Francesco knew better than to just take Sally though. Sally was delicate...
Cal was packing his bags. Getting ready to head out with Cruz to the races early the coming morning. He couldn't find one of the belts he liked to take on trips ans called "Meg! Hey, Megan! You seen my black belt!? The one with the dinico buckle?!" No answer. Cal searched the closet then "Hey Cal." His eyes widened as he turned to see Tex. "Oh. Tex?.. i.. Wasn't expecting you? Here I mean.. At my house. But hey!" Cal smiled and greeted. Tex looked a little upset. Cal noticed and asked "Is everything okay?" Tex sighed and got to the point. "You're not going to the races anymore... I'm sending Chick."
"Chick!? Are you kidding me!?" Cal snapped! Tex frowned and tried explaining but Cal immediately started going off! "Cal!.. Cal!.. SHUT UP CAL!" Tex yelled. That got Cal's attention. "Now you ain't you! Between how you been treaten Meg, your uncle, the students, Lightning?" "Lightning had it coming!" Cal tried defending! Tex sighed admitting "You disappoint me Cal.. But you don't get a say.. You ain't going. Chick is gonna take over as crew cheif and Strip and I can handle the school."
"Tex please don't do this! That school is all I have!" "No it's not! And that's why you need this! You are fired! At least until further notice!" Tex left. He knew if he stayed Cal might talk him out if his decision but he had to stay firm to it. As Tex got into his car his phone rang.
"Hello?"
Tex baby! It's me, Cleo. I was curious as to how Cal took the news?..
"He'll live. Thanks for telling me everything that's been going on with him. I still can't believe he has just snapped like this!.."
Happens to the best.. I'm sure he'll snap back or whatever soon..
"I hope so. I trusted Cal with that school.."
I know. And don't worry.. Chick will make an excellent replacement.
"Well hold on there Mam. Chick ain't replacing anybody. I'm just letting him temporarily coach Ramirez. Just for the rest of the season."
Right ofcorse. That's what I meant.
"Right well.. That's a good couple races."
I'm sure Chick will surprise you and impress you.
"We'll see. Thanks again Cleo. For telling me about what Cal did to Light and his academy. Painting crude things on the doors and destorying the bolt. I never imagined! He's lucky Lightnin ain't pressing charges!"
Yes.. Lucky is a word for it..
Lightning stared at his office. It was completely destroyed! Nothing was worth saving. The bolt.. "Oh no.." He whined. The bolt was stripped, the frame damaged, engine looked as if it was caught on fire! Lightning fell to his knees in front of the mess. The car was ruined! Seats ripped to shreds! Ruined! Absolutely ruined! Now he wouldn't usually cry over something like this. But this hurt! Heather knocked and stepped in and asked "I think.. Cal did this.." Lightning stood. Angry. Complete anger. "Why didn't you or Bobby call me... when this happened?" Oh he was furious.
Heather swallowed before answering and explaining "Bobby said.. We should leave you be to enjoy the few days without stress..." Lightning sighed and rubbed his eyes. Bobby was right to do that. "This is the note we found on the um.. door when we found all... this.." Lightning took it from Heather and read it. "I'm sorry.. Bobby and I looked at the cameras but.. They stole the footage.." Lightning ignored that while reading..
Stickers not so LUCKY now is it!?
You got what was coming McQueen! Bet you wont joke about my come backs now!...
Lightning crinkled the note up into his fist. "This was too far.." he growled. Heather frowned and asked "What should we do?.. With the uh.. your office?.." Heather asked. Lightning sighed and answered "Close it off.. Don't touch it." Heather raised a brow and asked "You want to leave it like this?" Lightning nodded. He then left. He needed to clear his head and in order to do that he needed to race. Which he couldn't do on the road so.. Next best thing was a simulator for now. He wasn't sure if this was actually Cal or Cleo. But he needed to think of how to destroy Cleo. To get her out of office for good...
Sally opened the door to her home and the kids all ran inside. She walked back to the car and grabbed a few bags from the trip. At the moment all she could think of was Chester. How he was gonna come clean. She sighed and tossed the couple bags into the house and went back for more when a car pulled up. She didn't recognize it. She stopped and stared. The windows were tinted dark. The driver didn't get out or anything. It made her curious and a little nervous. She stared back then the door opened and a man stepped out. "Sally.." Her eyes widened. It was Francesco. He was back!?
Sally stared. Her eyes wide. She was a little scared and hurt and angry. She took a srep back and snapped "No! No... You need to go!" she ordered. Francesco frowned.amd tried to explain "Sally.. I am so sorry.. I made mistakes yes.. But I did not know what to do!" "You left me! We were getting married and you just disappeared!?" "Francesco knows what Francesco did.. It was not right.." "And Cruz!?.." Sally shouted. Francesco sighed.
"Did you?.. Did you try to"-"No! I would never try to hurt her!" "But you did!.. You tried.. You destroyed her family.. Took her kid away?.. You were gonna do the same to Lightning..." Francesco stepped closer but Sally snapped "Stay away! Don't you come near me!" she yelled. Francesco stopped. Frozen in pain. "You need to leave... You should go.. And never come back.." She cried. Francesco broke seeing Sally like this. "But your motel.. I have it back for you.. Cleo will not harm you I promise." Sally raised a brow and asked "How did you know Cleo had anything to do with it?.." Francesco frowned and realized he messed up his words there. "Let me explain..." he began, but Sally stepped further away.
"Are you working with her or?... Are you stalking me!?" she snapped. "No! No.. Francesco just is making sure you are safe!" He tried explaining. Sally was breathing heavily. "Sally you need to breathe." "No! You go! Get.. Get out of here..." she then fainted onto the ground! Francesco ran to her side and called took her phone calling for help!...