Lightning couldn't believe this! Francesco was here!? Lightning pulled up the pump next to Francesco and got out his car. Francesco ignored it at first. Lightning began pumping gas himself. Right next to Frncesco. "Passing through?" Lightning asked. Francesco took a deep breath before answering "Something of that such.." "Good. You don't wanna stay round here." Lightning warned quietly. "And why is that?" Francesco asked rudely. Both pumps clicked at the same time. Both men placed them back up and shut the gas caps of their own cars before Lightning turned toward Francesco and answered "Because I'm not afraid to do what you couldn't." It was very dark and very threatening coming from Lightning. Francesco swallowed a bit nervously and nodded. "We shall see about that." he replied. Lightning just glared and watched the italian closely as he got in the flashy car. Lightning stepped up into the window of the car andhad to warn, threaten, whatever "You stay away from Sally." Francesco started the car with a revving of the engine and sped off. Seeming to leave town but Lightning wondered if he'd be back or not?...
Jackson slipped and fell straight to the ground with a painful thud! He sat up on his knees. Frustrated, he threw the part he had in his hand, knowing he probably broke it into pieces. He was extremely angry. This little fix it project Lightning gave him was ridiculous! How the crap was he suppose to build this unknown car engine without his sight! Jackson felt around for his cane and couldn't find it. He began crawling around and feeling for it. He found a few parts then finally the cane. He used it to help himself up. He wouldn't admit it, but he felt pain. The cane wasn't just for aiding him in walking. He let out a pitiful sigh as he stood there. Then someone cleared their throat.
Jackson looked toward the sound asking "Whose there?" "Relax.. It's me kid." Cal Weathers. Jackson frowned and asked "How long you been there?.. Watching me?" Cal walked up and picked up the thrown part. "Long enough to see that your struggling.." He handed Jackson the part. Jackson lwt his guard down in this moment. "McQueen is being ridiculous.. I can't build this." He admitted or vented. Cal looked at the race car. Jackson should easily be able to. "I think you can. I think this was smart of Lightnin." "Really?" Jackson asked. Cal nodded "Don't think.. You've built your race car engine right?" he asked. Jackson nodded. "Okay. This is... Close.. um.." "Were you about to ask me to close my eyes?" Jackson asked rudely. Cal cleared his throat awkwardly before continuing. "Um.. Loo-Feel.. Feel the parts in your hand. You can identity it right?" Jackson sighed and played with the metal in his hand.
He could. Maybe. "I guess.." He admitted. Cal snickered replying "So try a little more. You know how this works.. You can put this back together. I can help. If you'd like?" Cal offered. Jackson silently thought a moment as he played with the part. This was so different. Cruz, Lightning, Cal.. They wanted to help him. The young forner rscer nodded answering "I think I'd like that.. Thank you.." And he meant that thank you. Cal smiled. He was happy to help the young racer. Because he wouldn't admit it, but Lightning was right. Jackson needed some friends or help or whatever...
Lightning opened the door to Sally's office without even knocking. He wanted to check on her after running into Francesco. Make sure he wasn't coming over to her office next. If he even knew that she would be there or not. But he found her wiping tears from her eyes and cheeks. "Sally?.. What happened?" He asked and rushed to her side. "What did he do!?" He asked so seriously! Sally knew who he meant. Francesco. Francesco Bernoulli. Sally finsihed wiping her face and shook her head answering "He only came by. He didn't touch me or anything.. He just came by and .. And I just made him leave." Lightning wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. "Why are you crying?.." He asked softly. Sally frowned and hesitated. "Just.. Thinking of.. Stupid things. I'm sorry." Lightning snickered and brushed her hair out from her eyes. "Don't ever apologize baby.. Hey." He took her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. "I love you beautiful.. I won't let anything happen to you or the kids. I love you. You have nothing to worry about ever again. I promise." He was so sure if it, of himself.
Sally nodded and Lightning kissed her forehead once more. "Trust me. Please." He asked of her once again. Sally turned away, but Lightning turned her back to look at him. "I love you. I'm gonna say that over and over until you get that into your beautiful and.. Coconut smelling head of yours." They both lightly laughed at that one. Sally sighed and stood up with Lightning. Face to face she leaned close ans kissed his lips. They parted with a smack and Lightning smiled a little asking "What was that for?" Sally sighed and fixed his collar on his shirt. "I love you too Stickers.. You know what we need?" she asked. "Hmm?" "A.. Date night. Feels like forever and feels like we are in desperate need of one on one attention and affection now."
Lightning nodded and agreed. "Could be nice.. Have been a little stressed lately I guess." he exclaimed. Sally definitely agreed. "Exactly. We need a night for us.. No.. Town or kids or... Work or Cal or Storm.. Cleo nonsense.. Cruz..." she said. "Wow.. When did we become so busy again?.." she asked. Lightning sighed and stepped closer. His body pressing against gers. "I promise you we will make time.. Take a weekend trip. Just us.. But not now.. I have some things to take care of.. Francesco.. Being here.. I can't.. I am going to..." He stopped and Sally could tell he was really stressed about Francesco being back around. So she played it off. "It's okay. I completely understand. Francesco should leave anyway.. I don't want him here and won't allow him to stay in my town." Sally assured. Lightning smiled hearing that. "You know, you are so sexy when you talk like that." he complimented. Sally rolled her eyes. "Go get back to work." she ordered jokingly. Lightning chuckled a little and began to leave but wait a second.
He stopped and turned and questioned "Where are the kids? I thought you were wanting to keep them out of daycare?" Sally's eyes widened and she sighed admitting "Well.. I did.. I just couldn't get any work done with them getting into everything.." Lightning laughed a little hearing that. "Alright babe. Next time call me. I can help you know.?" "I know." Sally replied. Lightning sent one last charming smile her way and an I love you before heading back to the school to see how Storm was doing with his little project...
"How are you..." Lightning began and stopped as he saw Cal in the room with Jackson. "What are you doing here?" He asked. Cal shrugged and answered "Offered to help some.." Jackson growled and hit the car with the cane! Lightning's eyes widened at the sight. Cal sighed and rubbed his eyes. "The kid's got real anger issues.. Maybe even some kind of bi polar disorder or somethin.. He's a wreck.." Lightning nodded. "Told you he needed us." He replied and kind of emjoyed rubbing that I told you so in Cal's face. Cal glared at Lightning a moment. Jackson sat on the ground and like a child began complaining. "It's impossible!.. I tried the touchie feelie thing like you said Cal! I can't do this!" Lightning raised a brow and looked at Cal. "What touchie feelie thing is he talking about?" he asked. Cal rubbed his head from the headache he had after being with Jackson for a while. "Nothin.. Just.. Jackson, calm down."
"You calm down!" Jackson shouted and tossed the cane. Lightning sighed. The kid was frustrated. The two older racers stood there and stared at each other. "What do you wanna do with him?" Cal asked. Lightning stared at Jackson who didn't want to hear this conversation and took out his hearing aid. Lightning frowned sseeing that, but looked to Cal and answered "I was so sure that.. This would help him.. It always helped me out.. Building and re building the bolt.." Cal nodded. "But Jackson isn't you. He didn't grow up in our world.. He was a gamer before he raced. Remember his file? He was one of those virtual racers or somethin. I don't think the same tactics will work here Light.." He reminded. Lightning sighed. What would help this kid? "Let's.. Leave him alone for a bit.. I wanna talk to you anyway." Lightning exclaimed. Cal wasn't sure what that meant exactly. Sense he and Lightning weren't still completely back to being friends yet...
Lightning and Cal stepped out and into the elevator where Lightning began his talk. "Can I trust you?" Lightning asked. Cal frowned answering "You shouldn't after everything I've done to you.. To Sally.." Lightning placed a hand on Cal's shoulder and smiled "We both have messed up a lot lately." he reminded. Cal nodded once. "Partners.. Right?" Lightning asked. Cal snickered with a smile and nodded. "Yeah. Partners." Lightning took a deep breath before continuing "Francesco is back in town.. I wanted to kill him.. I believe I would have if he didn't get the jump on me.. He's dangerous. He tried to kill Cruz and Me already.. Who knows how many other people he'd hurt. I want him gone, but.. More importantly.. I want to know that you are on my side... That if I call to you for help? You'll be there.. No matter what. Like the old days." he said with a friendly aand memorable smile. Cal was a little worried though. "I need you Cal. I need you back." Lightning added. Cal stared at the floor as he thought about that.
He looked at Lightning and nodded agreeing "Francesco is dangerous.. So.. Let's finally forget what happened. For good. I'm on your side Lightnin. Always will be from here on out man." Lightning was so glad to hear it! "But.. What about the girls?" Cal asked. Lightning stared a moment. He kept things similar like this from Sally before. It wasn't good. He sighed admitting "Secrets always come out some how.. Best to let them know. Tell them everything going on. No secrets and no lies. They deserve that." Lightning said this and meant it. He didn't want any secrets or lies between him and Sally. Especially with their relationship so delicate in some ways. Lies could start a rip in what was just sown back together. And he knew Cal should do the same for Megan. Megan didn't deserve to be lied to or anything either. If there was one thing Lightning learned from the therapy and his past mistakes even before the crash,
it was that was how the dishonesty and betrayal started, not in those big lies, but in the small secrets he and Sally had kept from each other before...
Lightning stepped out the shower and walked to the bed in his ph so sexy plaid pajama pants. Sally was laying in bed reading a book as she waited up for him. He lay next to her and leaned up, kissing her cheek real quick then let out a yawn as he got comfortable. "How was it with Jackson today?" Sally asked as she shut her book and put it on the stand. Lightning sighed answering "Well.. He's stubborn. It's almost like he wants to stay all pathetic and helpless. Like he loves the attention." Sally snickered hearing that. "Was Cruz there?" She asked. Lightning glared at her answering "Some what.. But I sent her away. Had Jackson working alone most of the time." "Oh.." She muttered. The two gor comfortable hugging and cuddling up to sleep.
"Sal.." Lightning called. "Hmm?" Lightning hesitated before continuing "What.. Exactly.. How was that remote destroyed?.. I feel like if it was?.. The police would have had that in the file." Sally's eyes widened. Not this again. She wished this would just move on. "Um.. She.. Cleo said that.. She destroyed it herself.. By.. By accident really." "Really? How?" Lightning asked. Sally swallowed and continued to lie, "Um she.. Stepped on it. Yup.. Stepped right on it with one of her uh.. Heels." "Wow.. Really?" He asked. Sally bit her lips and nodded silently. "Hmm.. Alright.. Night Sally.. And don't worry about Francesco. Cal and I will take care of him." Sally sat back up. "Cal!? You are getting Cal involved? What about Megan!? Mera!? What the heck are you thinking?!" "Sally calm down!.. I am doing what is right okay! Cruz is Cal's racer. Francesco could go after her so Cal needed to know. Plus, thanks to Cleo, Cal is already involved and you know that. As for Meg and Mera? I don't know what Cal will do, but I told him to do the same I'm doing."
"And what exactly are you doing Lightning?" Sally asked kind of rudely. Lightning smiled warmly and looked into his love's eyes answering "Telling the truth, being honest and upfront and keeping absolutely nothing from the people close to me. Making sure you are comfortable and feel safe and making sure I.. I talk to you before doing anything drastic okay? Cal and I will probably just go talk to Francesco tomorrow.. If he's still in town." Sally nodded. Honesty huh? Lightning leaned close and kissed Sally suddenly, but sweetly. "Night Sally. Love you." Sally touched her lips and muttered softly "Yeah, yeah.. Night.." It got Sally thinking. Maybe Lightning was trying harder than she had thought. And maybe he was changing into the man she loved again and she just didn't want to see it. What happened here?
She was so madly in love with Chester Vitte. So much that she and Lightning got back together! It was great! She wanted this. But now that they were back together and things were normal.. Something was off. She had continued to tell herself it was Lightning. That she was just waiting for him to mess up and do something like sleep with Cruz again so she couod pounce but.. What if he really was a changed man, a better man? Maybe she wanted him to screw up again as awful as that seemed. Was she really happy with him or the idea of having what they had...