Sally looked over the check and placed it down asking "So.. Have you called him? Storm?" Lightning shook his head. "Not yet. I mean somethin like this, I should go see him in person, right?" Sally sighed. "I'd take the money and leave it be." she suggested. "Jackson sent the money. I'd take it and be done with him." Lightning frowned explaining "Yeah, but I didn't spend but one hundred and fifty on Jackson. This is WAY too much. I should at the least offer him back what he doesn't owe." Sally shook her head and stood up. She walked in front of Lightning and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love that you wanna help, but.. Alright.. You go ahead and see Jackson. Do the right thing." She kissed his cheek. Lightning pulled her closer and kissed her lips. "I'll be home around dinner.. If anything a little later. Gotta go see Cal first." he assured. Sally nodded. "I'll be waiting." She teased...
Lightning sat with Cal in his office. Going over some paperwork for Lightning's class he would hold at the academy. "Okay. So.. Guess you sign here and you'll be an official racing instructor of the Dinico Rusteze racing school." Cal said with a smile. Lightning took the papers and a pen and signed it with ease. "When do I start?" Lightning asked. Cal leaned back in his chair with a sigh "Um.. Let me get a team together. A few actually. Then we can introduce you and begin." Lightning nodded. "Thanks Cal. I gotta go see Jackson for the day. But I'll be back tomorrow." Lightning exclaimed. Cal nodded and shuffled papers in order to put away and copy.
Lightning stepped out and headed out to the elevator to go to the rehabilitation center before heading to see Jackson. He stepped in and pressed the button. Waiting a second then the doors began to close. "OH WAIT!" called Cruz's familiar voice. Cruz's hand stopped the door and she stepped on in. And WOW. SHE LOOKED COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. Lightning stared at her. A very confused expression. "What?.." she asked. Now, Cruz had long brown and thick hair, perfect caramel like tan skin. She would wear sporty outfits and sneakers, light make up. BUT, now.. Cruz had cut her hair. It was super short bob in the back that was longer in the front. A cute thick bob style though. She had on a considerable amount of make up. It made her look a lot different. Even fake lashes. It was obvious they were fake because they were so different than before. She was wearing a white button up, rolled up the sleeves and the top buttons open to show slight cleavage. A tight black skirt that end above her knees and black thin panty hose with red heels. "What?!" Cruz repeated!
Lightning sighed and looked away answering "Nothing. You uh.. Look all.. Dressed up." Cruz smiled explaining "Trying something new." "Yeah.." Lightning muttered. It was quiet as the elevator moved up the floors. "Where's Miguel?" He asked. "Daycare. Hey, why don't you let me help you teach that new class? The one Cal wants you teaching." She asked. Lightning stared at her and thought of how badly that could end with Sally. "Better not.. I think I can manage it myself. But uh.. Thanks.." The elevator stopped and Lightning stepped out.
So did Cruz. Lightning turned and stared at her. She looked like she was just trying to look like Sally with this outfit. He sighed and asked "Alright.. What else do you want Cruz?" Cruz shook her head. Staring at the car Jackson rebuilt. "Just.. saying hi.." she answered nervously. Lightning stared. No, she wanted him. "You know.. Some people find an open marriage a good thing. It can really help keep a couple.. Faithful.." Lightning's brows lowered. "Excuse me?" He asked. Cruz was nervous, it showed. "I just.. Um.. Was told by.. The internet.. That some couples find.. Open marriage a uh.. A good thing.."
Lightning glared and shook his head. "I have to see Jackson." He growled as he walked around Cruz. Forgetting why he even headed up here in the first place. "I'll come with." Cruz offered. Lightning turned and snapped "No!.. No.." firm and sharp. "I need to go by myself.." so he left. Cruz frowned. She was so sure the outfit and new cut would do it..
Lightning stood in front of Jackson's door a moment. Holding that check in his hands. He sighed and knocked. "Jackson.. Jackson it's me.. Again.." He announced. Nothing. Pure silence. Lightning sighed again and put the check in his wallet, pocket, then knocked again. "Jackson." he called. Still nothing. Lightning turned and was about to leave when the door opened. He looked back and saw Jackson there. "I was uh... Sleeping.." Jackson explained. Lightning sighed. The kid looked bad today. Must of been having a rough day. "Could I come in? Talk?" Lightning asked. Jackson nodded and stepped away, using his cane to guide him through the slightly messy home. Lightning shut the door behind and followed.
The two walked to the living room where Jackson sat down and asked "Are you here alone?" Lightning nodded, then answered "Yea. Yeah, Sally's back home." Jackson sighed. He was depressed today. It was obvious. Lightning sat down ans began, "I got the check. You did send a check, right?" Jackson nodded silently so Lightning continued, "Okay. So.. You should know, I only spent about a hundred and fifty thousand on your rehabilitation. You can have the difference back." Jackson shook his head and explained "Cal told me you might be uh.. Closing your academy. That money is just mostly settlement money anyway. Um.. Most racing schools cost about one hundred and ninety thousand a year per student.. Thought that check could keep your academy running and let you give out a few scholarships or whatever. Teachers.. Safety rails on that old dirt track.." Lightning was surprised.
Jackson was giving Lightning the ability to not only keep the school running, but hire more help and giving out scholarships!? "Are you sure?.. because this is plenty. More than I need!" Lightning asked. Jackson nodded. Lightning thought a moment before the idea, "Than.. At least come back. Not to the school, but to my academy. I mean if I'm gonna be giving out uh.. Jackson Storm scholarships. The students coming should get to meet Jackson Storm himself!" Jackson frowned and shook his head.
"No.." he replied. "The students at Cal's place didn't even want to be around me.. Doubt any new students would want to meet me or know that I paid for their scholarships." Lightning sighed, thinking of how to convince this guy. But then Jackson continued "I think... Not only are my racing days over.. But.. I think I'm out completely. I don't fit in with that world anymore McQueen. That is your world now. Take your money, get the students you need and don't worry about me anymore. Keep my name out of it.. This is my life now. Don't keep pulling me back into a world I don't belong." Lightning felt so bad for Jackson. It was clear the kid really gave up. Lightning's brows lowered as he stood up saying "You do belong.. You just don't feel it right now.. I'll be back." "Please don't .." Jackson pleaded. Lightning then left. Jackson heard the door shut. He sat there a moment. He really was hoping Lightning wouldn't come back again anymore...
Lightning walked through with the guard and sat down at a table. Waiting. Nervous as he tapped his foot uncontrollably underneath the table. He swallowed hard, almost choked. The door squeaked open and the guard escorted Cleo, in handcuffs to the table. Cleo smiled almost proudly as she sat down. The guard turned but Cleo stopped him reminding "Oh.. These will not be needed sweetie." holding up her cuffed wrists. The guard glanced at Lightning who hesitated then shrugged. So the guard stepped back and took off the handcuffs.
Cleo rubbed her wrist and smiled at Lightning. "Must of paid a lot of money to see me alone.. Late.." Cleo heard the door shut behind her and glanced back. Her eyes widened. They were alone alone!? She smiled back at Lightning "Completely alone now?.. Is this a?.. Conjugal visit I hope." she said and bit her lower lip. Lightning turned away for only a second before looking and saying "The remote. You said the hint was in the mayor's office." "Ha!.. I knew you would be back Lightning. Now, if you're done crying rape, can we just cut to the chase?" She asked. Lightning glared. Thinking how to play her. "I found it. Not the remote, the hint." he was bluffing. Cleo raised a brow and leandd in her chair. "Did you now? So.. Then you know where to look next." Lightning nodded answering "Yep, and I already did. I don't get the second hint." Cleo cocked her head to the side. "How? I thought it would be pretty obvious sense Chick.." she paused and watched Lightning's reaction. She licked her lips stating "You are lying."
Lightning shook his head. "You are lying.. You never even found the first hint." Cleo exclaimed. Lightning shook his head and snickered. "And you just told me who I need see. Chick." Cleo sighed. Staring at Lightning. "What if I make you a deal?" she asked. That was too easy. Lightning shook his head and snarled "No deal. Tell me where the remote is.. Please.." Cleo snickered with a smile. "Did you just?.. Ask me? Are you gonna beg me?" she asked. Lightning swallowed loudly. "I like these visits Daddy.." "Don't.. Don't call me that." "Why?" Cleo laughed. "Cause you have your own little girl that calls you Daddy?" she asked. Lightning glared. She was pushing it. "Is that what you think about? Your precious little girl calling some other man Daddy?" Lightning stood up and grabbed Cleo by the throat. Lifting her to make her stand up!
Cleo tried loosening his grip. No use. He was latched on tight! "You shut up.. You do not speak of my daughter. Tell me where the remote is." He ordered. Cleo laughed. It was a strange reaction to him holding her throat. Lightning growled and again ordered "Tell me where Cleo!" His grip tightened. She choked a little, making a gurgling gag sound. "I.. I.. Rather you choke me daddy.." she smiled. Lightning had enough and grabbed her hair, slamming her face onto the table then lifting her back up and yelling "Where is it Cleo!?" Her nose was bleeding. Cleo coughed and tried to release his grip from her hair. "Fuck you." She answered. Lightning slammed her face on the table again hard! Lifting her back up, her nose and lips bleeding. Cleo breathed heavy and spit blood at him. He flinched.
Lightning flinched enough that Cleo slipped away from his grip! She stepped away and shouted "Fuck you! You truly are stupid McQueen! I said first hint in the mayor's office!" "And I will not watch that tape to find the one thing you had there as a hint!" he yelled. Cleo laughed! Wiping the blood off her face. "It never left you idiot!.. What is the one thing that has ALWAYS been in that office huh?" Lightning had to think a minute. Cleo panted, wiping more blood she answered for him. "You.. You have always been there." Lightning stared more confused than ever. Him? He was the hint, the clue? "But what does that have to do with Chick?" he asked. Cleo shook her head. She wasn't going to say any more.
Lightning was furious. Furious and confused. "For Chrysler's sake Cleo, just tell me.." He growled softly. Cleo sighed. She shook her head continuing "You want something I have... You have something that.. I'll never get for years.." She was trying to flirt. Lightning stared at the ground. Nope, he wasn't giving her that again. Lightning took a deep breath then walked up to her. Cleo stepped back nervously until she was back against the wall and Lightning had her pinned there. She stared up into his blue eyes. "Go ahead Lightning.. Fuck me.. Or kill me.. I know you want to do both... I know you think of doing the very thing I did to you.. To me.." She rubbed down her breasts and took his hand, attempting to make him touch her he pulled away and slapped her face!
"Fuck you." he snapped. Cleo held her face. "Jackson doesn't deserve what you did, what you are keeping from him. You like these games and it's obvious. I don't give a fuck this much about him. Fuck, the kid gave me millions to leave him the hell alone." Cleo wiped her face then asked "So why are you here huh?.. Why do you keep coming back to me?" Lightning stared down at her and after a second or two. "Why did you do what you did to me?" he asked quietly. Cleo stared at him. Why did she? "Why did you attack Sally and hurt my friends and rape me?" he asked. Cleo shook her head correcting "I never raped you.." "Yes you did." "No! i didn't! Why can't you see and feel what I did!?" she yelled She wallowed before answering back with tears gathering in her eyes "I loved you.. I wanted you so badly!.. But you had that precious Sally.. And your whore Cruz.." Lightning rolled his eyes and stepped away.
"I have had some crazy fans, but you? You top the cake!" Lightning shouted. Cleo ran up to him and explained "Don't you see!? We could have been the most powerful couple in town! On earth!" "Let's not forget you were married the entire time!" Lightning yelled and shoved her away. Cleo shook her head and admitted "Ryan was no one.. I only needed his money, but you?.. You were so perfect.." She caressed his face. Lightning slapped her hand away. Cleo's expression changed. "Fine.. But if I can't have you?.. No one will." She threatened. Lightning snickered. "You are in jail.. I'm not worried." He then tapped on the door for the guard. Cleo hesitated but spoke up threatening "You should be... Because I won't be here forever.. And when I get out, your precious sons will be on their own..And you will not be around to protect them.." The door opened and Lightning slammed the door shut behind him. Leaving Cleo for the guard. Thinking of what Chick and even himself had on this hint for that remote...