Cruz finished up some minor paperwork she had to do. Miguel was at daycare. Tonight was her last night with him before taking him back to her parents for trh weekend. She had to fly out to Florida. Part of her wondered how this was going to keep working. Her parents lived in Florida and she technically lived in Arizona. Surely flying Miguel twice a week wasn't the answer. She couldn't live in Florida when work was here though. Cruz made hee way to Cal's office to drop off some papers. She passed by Lightning and Daniel in the hall. Lightning. She sighed. At least with Miguel at her parents over the weekend she could try winning him back before he married Sally again.
Though she had her race Sunday. Hmm. That gave her an idea. Cruz ran and caught up to Daniel and Lightning fast and stopped in front of them. "Hey!" She greeted with such energy. Daniel raised a brow. Lightning glared asking "What is it now Cruz?" Cruz stared a moment at Lightning's obviously annoyed expression. Was her presence really that annoying to him? "Well I wanted to welcome Dan back. That and offer to take him along to the races." Daniel looked at Lightning for some kind of approval. "Thought it could help. He could be part of my crew. Temporarily." she assured with a smile. Lightning was just glaring at her. He was suspicious. Daniel shrugged. "Lightning actually wants me to enroll in the rehab center for a few weeks. Makes sense to me really. So.. Thanks, but no thanks Cruz. Good luck at the race. Stay safe." he replied and walked around her. Cruz sighed.
Lightning cleared his throat before asking "Are you done messing with me than?" He sounded mad. Cruz frowned and nodded. It was a lie, but she hoped Lightning wouldn't see it. "Good." He replied firm then walked around her as well. Cruz hurt. But she was pretty confident that she could get him to begging for her before too long. So she began plotting..
Knock knock.
"Come in." Called Cal. Cruz walked in. Cal smiled asking "Ahh.. Did you get your paperwork done?" Cal had just finished his own as he had to ban a few students and kicking them out. Cruz nodded and sat down. Sliding the paper to Cal. "Could I help out in some classes maybe?" she asked. Cal stared and was a little surprised. "Well.. I guess if you're not too busy and you still keep in shape for the races, sure. I can find a few classes that could use a current racers help." Cruz nodded. "Maybe that new class you want Lightning to run?" Cal stared at her. "How did you know"-"Just the word around.." She blushed and smiled awkwardly. "Anyway, you know Lightning and I work like amaze together so.. Plus we know each other well enough to know what the other is or are thinking." She smiled. Cal stared.
"Um.." He mumbled. "Not sure that's a good idea. Not with the history the two of you have. I thought all that was behind you?" He explained. Cruz frowned. THINK CRUZ THINK. "It totally is. But I was thinking that it would benefit the school!" she assured. Cal wasn't sure how. "If the students see Lightning and I being professional, than they will respect us more. And.. Not only that, you want him to teach team exercises right? No one works as good as a team like Lightning and I." Cruz was trying. Cal sighed explaining "I don't know.. Besides that would.. Really be up to Lightning. You ask him and if he wants to have you help in his class, okay. Other wise, I'm gonna say no." Cruz glared. Well.. Lightning wouldn't say yes more than likely. She'd have to step it up and she'd be gone all day tomorrow between plane rides ans getting bsck here after dropping off Miguel.
She had to think hard and fast on how to get Lightning to really notice her. She definitely needed to step it up. Cruz stepped out and immediately was approached by a young female student. "Hi!' she greeted. Cruz was surprised and jumped a bit. "Oh.. Hi." "I'm Kristen. I share a room with Kirsten and Eloise and May." Cruz nodded. "Okay?" She replied. Kristen smiled asking "Are you really sleeping with Mr. McQueen again?" she asked. Cruz Covered the girl's mouth and shooshed her. "Where did you hear that!?" Cruz asked.
Kristen glared and removed Cruz's hands. "Just a rumor again. Is it true?" the girl asked. Cruz sighed. She had a choice. Lie or be honest. "Um.. No.." She answered. Kristen snickered and asked "So.. Are you seeing anyone? Because.." The girl stepped close against Cruz. Pushing Cruz against the wall. Cruz was unsure what the heck was going on. "I have always found you.. Very.. Attractive.." The girl flirted close to Cruz's lips..Cruz blushed a little and then pushed Kristen away gently. "Haha.. Okay. Yeah.. Um.. Sorry, but.. I.. Don't have relationships with.. Students.." Cruz quickly walked away. That was so weird...
Lightning watched Daniel on thr simulator for a while. The kid was doing absolutely fine. He'd be up and running on a real track in no time. Daniel stopped and got out asking "How was that?" "Perfect! I have full faith in you kid." Lightning complimented. Danile smiled proudly but had to ask "Didn't you say the same thing to Jackson?" Lightning's eyed widened. "What? No.. Not really. Look, it's true though. You are doing quite well for being in that accident." Danile nodded replying "I still get this stinging weird pinch in my hips but I'm okay." Daniel suffered a crushed diaphragm and broken pelvis in the accident. He would forever have a pain walking and in some other activities more than likely. But he survived.
"What happened to the remote? For Jackson's eyes anyway?" The kid asked. Lightning sighed answering "Not sure.. Cleo did something with it and the only hint is on.. A very.. Graphic video.." Daniel frowned. He wanted to help if he could. "Why that video?" Dan asked. Lightning stared a moment. This didn't concern the kid. Lightning shook his head. "Don't worry about it." He answered. "I'm.. Gonna go for a drive.." Lightning added and left. Daniel felt bad for bringing it up, but he was just curious...
Sally waited outside Sheriff's office. Waiting for dna results on the weird cat. Tapping her foot while she was looking at morr information about Dianna online. It was actually looking good. The fact that Dianna didn't meet with Doc when she could have and should have, meant that she herself decided to not include herself as family and kin to Doc Hudson. Good mews for her and the town. Meant they wouldn't pay her a penny. "Mam?" A man called. Sally looked up to see someone she never saw before. "Got your results here." He handed her the paper. Sally glanced at them. Two unknown. "Well that's useful. " She griped. "I'm sorry." The man replied. Sally stared up at him replying "Oh, sorry. I meant the results.. Just..Not what I was looking for."
The man chuckled and asked "What were you looking for?" Sally stood up and shrugged. "I don't remember seeing you here before?.." Sally said suspiciously. After Cleo, new faces just.. Worried her with suspicions. The man smiled and proudly introduced himself "I'm Sheriff's new deputy. I'm Nick. Nick Russel. And you?" "Sally. Just.. Sally." Nick smiled. He had reddish hair cut very clean and tightly styled and a bit of facial hair. Green eyes. Pale skin and a nice smile, nice face. Not at muscular as Lightning ofcorse. And maybe a little thicker than Lightning. BUILT THICKER! SHE WAS DEFINITELY NOT THINKING OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE THICKER. could be.. Dressed in a light green button up and black dress pants and his badge on his belt line in the front. He wasn't young like Gage was. Nick looked around their age, Lightning and Sally and Cal etc. Looked like he had experience.
"Well just Sally. It's a pleasure to meet you. You know, sense I'm new.. You could show me around?" Nick suggested. Sally raised a brow and giggled a little asking "Are you hitting on me?" "Is it that obvious? I was going for obvious." he smiled. Sally sncikered and shook her head. "I'm engaged actually." she announced. Nick raised a brow and replied "Really? I don't see any ring?" he pointed out. Sally stared at her hand. No ring. Right. She blushed. "Hey, hint taken." Nick said. Sally faked a laugh. "Um, no, really. I am. To Light"-"Its okay! I get it. I'm not exactly a woman's first choice." Nicn interrupted.
Sally snickered and argued "I wouldn't say that at all. You look like a fine catch for any lucky woman." Nick smiled "So you think I'm fine? ight. I'll take it." Sally stared. That's not what she said. Not exactly. "Right.. Um.. I'm gonna just go." she pointed to the door. Nick watched her leave. Sally stopped and turned looking at the deputy. He quickly looked away, whistling. Sally glared and then left. But it was nice knowing she was actually attractive to other men actually...
Lightning sat inside the old race car. Sitting there. The very same spot he once saw Doc sit and race for the first time. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The old bolt's engine making the deep throaty sound that purred. Lightning hadn't been behind the wheel in a while. He thought of Doc. How much he missed Doc as his hand and fingers gripped the gear knob. "Speed.. I am.. Speed.." He whispered. He opened his eyes and stared at the track. No he wasn't. He shut off the engine. Sitting for a moment and leaned back in the seat. He just wasn't feeling it. He failed Jackson. Lightning took out his phone and attempted to call Jackson. But no answer.
"Fuck this." Lightning growled and turned the engine back on with a loud roaring rev! Shifting and gunning it down the track! Dust flying behind him. Up the first turn, down the second, top speed 193. The third turn, turning right, drifting around and to the finish with the dust behind him to a screaching hault! The bolt was running rough. Making popping sounds. Lightning rubbed his hand over the dash. "Been a good ride." He shut off the engine ans sighed. Time definitely changes things.