Sally sat at her desk forever waiting on Jackson. Part of her wondered if he would even show up. If he was just blowing her off. She looked at the time and sighed. If Jackson lost his trial, then Cleo would be released and gain compensation! He had to win. Sally needed to win this one. At least Dianna was off the case. She was rail roading everyone. Sally picked up her phone just as the assistant opened the door and announced, "Mrs. McQueen.. I.. Do I call you that now?.. Again?.. Right?.." He asked. Sally stared and nodded answering "Yes, that's fine. What is it?" "Jackson Storm." "Send him in!" Sally exclaimed! The assistant stepped aside and Jacksom walked in carrying files. He sighed and walked up to the desk.
"You have your own files?" Sally asked oddly. It was odd that he would have them. Maybe this was good though. That meant Jackson wanted to help keep Cleo in prison. Jackson set them down and Sally reached for them, but Jackson stopped her growling "I want immunity." "Immunity?" Sally asked. "Why would you think you even need that?" She added with concern. Jackson swallowed loudly which showed his nervousness. Sally and Jackson stared at each other for a minute or so before Jackson released the files and turned away. "Please.. Don't judge me.. I know I'm messed up.. I know I have failed as a human being.." Sally stared at him in curiousity and fear. What could he have done to be speaking like that?
"I failed at being a son, a racer, a friend.. Honestly I want to die. I have nothing worth fighting for. Or I didn't.. Until McQueen reminded me why I live and breathe. If he knew that"-"What did you do?" Sally interrupted in a growl. Jackson looked at Sally pitifully. She was already growing angry. Jackson didn't answer. So Sally opened his files. Jackson once again exclaimed "She took my eyes away Mrs. McQueen.. She took my eyes and caused me to be a pawn in her games. She used me to try and take out McQueen in that accident.. I just didn't know it at the time.. I made deals with her before.. It's all there.. Please.. I just don't want McQueen to kick me out of the academy, the school." the man begged. Sally read over the files.
Reading Jackson's testimony from before. Jackson had made deals and done a lot of dirty work for Cleo. It was before the remote, before the accident. So now the question came up of, "Why?.. Why would you do all of this?.." Sally asked on a whimper. Jackson frowned and stared down before a shrug and answering. "I.. She promised me things.. That she could get rid of Cruz and McQueen.. Not like killing or anything!.. Just.. Cruz took my title, my fame and McQueen basically handed down his fame to her like she was sooo worthy of it!.. I despised her and him for it. Because Cruz never had to work like I did! I worked hard to become a champion! While all she did was get lucky and learn all the secrets of the great Lightning McQueen!" He hit the desk!
Sally shook her head and shut the file snarling "I've read enough. The only reason I will help you is to keep Cleo in prison. You don't have to worry of immunity. Cleo used you, hurt you. But I wouldn't count on getting to stay in the academy and school.. I will not hide anything from my husband." Jackson's brows lowered as he snarled "But you both knew I worked with Cleo before!" "Yes, but not to this extent!" Sally snapped back! Jackson felt tears coming to his eyes. "And you also don't know half of what I went through! Forget it! I can't take being thrown under the buss anymore! I wish that bitch had just killed me! Goodbye!" Jackson shouted and left! Slamming the door! Sally sighed. She opened the files back up and had to read it all. Eveything. The story of Jackson Storm's trauma and betrayal and revenge. And what she read was so disturbing...
Lightning and Cal were going over some papers themselves as they were having to deal with lawsuits. Cal was writing checks to the parents with a hand written letter of apology from Lightning. Lightning sighed asking "Is this really necessary?" Cal onky shot a glare and reminded, "You kicked out hundreds of kids. Write the dam letters.." He growled. Lightning frowned and continued. It was quiet for a moment. Cal glanced at Lightning, back at his work, back at Lightning then sighed. "How are you doin?" Cal asked. Lightning froze. Thinking. "I'm.. Fine.. Sally will help Jackson to keep Cleo in jail." He answered and went back to work. Cal felt bad. Not just for Lightning. The way Cleo or well, Dianna treated everyone in court was awful.
"Wanna get drinks later?" Cal asked softly. Lightning looked at Cal and shook his head admitting "Probably shouldn't.. I do some pretty shitty stuff when I drink anymore.." Cal nodded and wasn't gonna argue with that. They continued working on checks and letters. Cal stopped again and looked at Lightning saying "You know what, stop writing those letters." Lightning looked at Cal confused. Cal shook his head, took the checks and ripped them in half. "I've had enough of giving in to the whiny ass parents of these pathetic wanna be kids." Lightning stared at Cal a little unsure what got into him. "I'm also tired of not standing up for my school. I keep letting these kids run the place and look what happened! I let Cleo do what she wanted because I thought I could trust her and look what happened!"
"Okay?..." Lightning replied. Still unsure what Cal was getting at. Cal stood up and threw the ripped checks away. "Let's make some real progress and turn these kids into real drivers. Racers." "Um... Okay?.." Replied Lightning again. Cal thought for a moment then looked at Lightning saying "And i can't do that..." He frowned. "I am not cut out to be in charge.. I'm too afraid to say no.." He admitted. "But you. You are far more strict than me." Cal pointed out. Lightning glared a bit and kinda saw where Cal was going with this. "No, you are great. Very organized and very.. Neat." "Nope. As much as I loved being in charge, I can't anymore. It has caused stress between me and my family, my life and took the joy out of racing for me. This school has only caused chaos at my home and put a wall between me and Megan. I'm done." Cal announced then went and grabbed some papers from a cabinet.
Lightning watched a little confused. Was Cal just going to quit? For real? Cal leaned on his desk and signed the papers he had then placed them in front of Lightning saying. "Sign this and it's yours." Lightning looked up at Cal shocked. "What? No! Stop being a child!" Lightning scolded. Cal crosses his arms and corrected, "That's just it. I'm not this time. This is probably the most mature and adult thing I'm doing in a long time. This School isn't what I thought I wanted. I thought I wanted to be like you. A champion who handed down his legacy to the young racers of tomorrow. To be looked up to for my knowledge of racing. But what I need is to be a husband and a father and a friend. I'm not like you. My uncle may have groomed me into a racer, but I'm no teacher."
Cal sighed, smiled and continued, "Doc groomed you to hand down his legacy. You are the great Lightning McQueen. Take this please. It's a burden to me... But to you?.. It's your dream. You have a nack for this. Because you were right before.. I was born into this sport. I was taught to follow the rules and stick to the books. That the goal is to win and get to the top. Not that I didn't or don't enjoy RACING! But we both began our careers on different paths Light. You have a passion that I will never have. That's what this place needs. And.. You know, I've always wanted to take Megan around the world. And now I have a daughter to share that with to! Think it's time I did that."
Lightning stared at the paper then asked. "What would happen to the school?" Cal shrugged answering "Shut it down. Move everyone to your academy. I mean, this place is filled with everything a school needs... Except for a real race track though.. Was suppose to make dorms and another school to help the town out before eveything went down with Cleo." Cal reminded. Lightning thought about that. Which gave him the idea, "Don't sign this over to me. Take this to the mayor, Sally. Tell her you are closing it down as a racing school and donate it to the town. The town needs a school for the kids. Our kids. Or else we'll have to move and leave town." Cal snickered and smiled. "See. You will be perfect for this. Alright. I'll take it up with Sally. Go ahead and get the tranfer sheets ready. Gotta get everyone moved over." Cal ordered. Lightning nodded and watched Cal take the papers and leave.
Lightning partially couldn't believe it. Cal was quitting the racing school, shutting it down and converting it into a regular school for minors and now Lightning's academy would be the only racing school around. Suddenly Lightning's phone rang. It was Sally. He smiled and answered it sweetly with "Hello Beautiful."
Turn on the news!
"What?"
Just do it!
"Okay, okay..." Lightning grabbed the remote and flipped on the tv and tuned the channel to the news to see the blonde newswoman speaking in the fuzzy microphone.
While firemen work to put out the fire, paramedics race to save the life or former cup champion, Jackson Storm.
Storm? Lightning couldn't believe it. Jackson crashed? A very bad and burning crash over the side of the road? This didn't make sense. "I'm going to the hospital now." Lightning said and hung up. It didn't make sense. Maybe Jackson's eyes messed up. God, Jackson must of been so scared! He was already a little fragile and broken and after what he had just been through, Jackson didn't deserve this did he? If he died because of what Cleo did to his eyes! She would burn in hell! She was already responsible for so many young racers' deaths. And after how much work and help Lightning had put into Jackson, helping him heal!? This couldn't be Jackson's end!..
Cruz couldn't believe it either! Jackson crashed off a road! She was devastated. Because it seemed Cleo was some how killing every young racer at this point. There wasn't many drivers left after that accident and now another?..
Daniel and the students stared at the tv. A few students felt Jackson desrved this again. But most had learn to forgive and accept Jackson and knew the accident wasn't his fault. A few wanted to see Jackson and rushed to their cars and to the hospital. As Lightning walked by, Daniel ran up shouting "Wait for me! I'm coming with!" And followed Lightning out...
Dianna dropped the remote. In shock and heart break! She fell on her couch, her dogs running up to her as she began to cry! This was all her fault! The dogs licked at her face and hands. Dianna pushed them away gently. Watching this horrific event. Jackson had his sight back though? What happened? She was afraid and hurting and feeling so guitly. She had to grab her bag and jacket and run to him. But no one would watch her dogs in such short notice! She stared at them. Three. All mixed breeds. Boris, a large grey german shepered like breed with green eyes, Sasha, a very small little grey dog with no tail, fluffy pointed ears and long snout, brown eyes, a very funny looking. Then her old dog, Warrior. A bigger husky like dog. Big fluffy black fur with dark grey and some white tips, one yellow eye and one icey blue. He was a little bit of an ass and lazy.
Dianna sighed then smacked her hip and ordered the three of them to come with her. That was totally not gonna cause any sort of problems. Jackson would surely want to see her.. Right?...
Lightning waited for the nurse or the doctor to come out, along with Daniel. The two if them waited for a while, but not too long before Jackson's doctor came in. Lightning stood asking "How is he?" The doctor happily answered "Minor injuries. He'll be fine. You can see him if you like Mr. McQueen. He's a little tired from the pain killers and medications though." Lightning nodded then he and Dan were escorted to Jackson's room. They knocked before entering. Jackson looked at them and sighed. "What are you doing here?" Jackson asked. "Both of you.." Dan lookes at Lightning who answered "How did you wreck? You're lucky you're okay. Was it your eyes? Did they mess up?" he asked.
Jackson shook his head answering "My eyes aren't the problem.. Can you just go.. Both of you please... Leave me.. Doctor says I'll be out tomorrow.." Daniel and Lightning looked at each other then Lightning nodded replying "Alright.. Yeah.. You get some rest.. We're.. Here if you need us, just call." Jackson didn't reply to that. Just sat silent with a blank kinda frown. Lightning shut the door behin them. Jackson was really depressed. Suddenly Dan and Lightning heard a woman's voice apologizing and making her way through the hall. "Dianna?" Lightning exclaimed and looked down the hall. Sure enough, she saw him and ran over asking "Is Jackson in there? Jackson!?" She called.
Dianna went for the door, but was stopped when Lightning grabbed her. "Hey!? Don't you touch me! Let me see Jackson!" She snarled and yanked away from Lightning! Lightning only growled back. "No! You've done enough! He needs to heal!" "I need to see he's okay." "Well he's not!" Lightning shouted! Dianna glared at Lightning asking "What do you mean?" Snapped Dianna. Lightning sighed and frowned before admitting "I don't think this was an accident.." Dianna immediately crossed her arms and raised a brow asking "Oh what? You think Cleo had something to do with to?" She snickered and shook her head. Lightning shook his head admitting "Jackson maybe a little loose, but he knows how to drive a car. I think Jackson wrecked on purpose.." Dianna snickered again.
Dan spoke up asking, "What?.. Wait, you think Jackson wrecked for attention?" Lightning once again shook his head and answered his racer in training. "I think this was a suicide attempt.." Dianna's eyes widened. Jackson? Suicide? No. Dan glanced at the door then asked his mentor. "You really think that? Jackson?" Lightning nodded. Jackson was emotional and in pain and honestly, Jackson seemed suicidal at times. Lightning hated that that could be a possibility. But it was right now...
The following day, Jackson was released and he took a cab back to town and to his motel room. Lightning decided to visit the kid and check up on him. He knocked and called. "Jackson. Jackson, you up!?" Lightning heard a thump then Jackson called back "It's open! I think.." Lightning grabbed the handle and sure enough, it was. Lightning walked in and the smell of alcohol was just overwhelming. He shut the door and walked over to find Jackson all hunched into the couch drunk, bottle in hand. "Seriosuly?.." Lightning growled. Jackson looked up at Lightning and licked his dry lips before answering "I'm in pain.. So I drink. No big deal." "No big deal!? You represent my academy and the rehabilitation center!" Lightning scolded.
Jackson rolled his eyes, alonf with his head and joked. "You could use a drink, my friend. Here." He held up the bottle. "Take what's left of this one.. I could use a freshly popped one on the rocks anyway." Lightning took the bottle and thud it down on the table. "What happened yesterday?" He asked. Jackson wobbled as he stood up and smiled. "What do you mean old man?" As he made his way to the fridge. Lightning rubbed his eyes and followed. Jackson opened the fridge to find it empty of alcohol. "Dam.. The alcohol is gone.. It's always.. gone.. Here.." Jackson said and took out a wad of cash. He shoved it to Lightning's chest saying "Make a beer run huh champ?" The cash fell to the ground and Lightning had enough.
He grabbed Jackson by the shirt and slammed the kid into the fridge! "Snap out of this! You are better than this!" Jackson only laughed and said "You know.. Some people would see this as sexual contact. I kinda like it.. This how you roughed up those women?" He was drunk. Lightning growled and flung Jackson across the floor! Jackson lay there a moment then sat up and admitted "I even asked your wife if she wanted to fuck once.. She said no, but.. Maybe if I were Italian." he joked. Lightning growled and hit the table asking "What do you want!? Why do you do this to yourself over and over!? This self destructive behavior and, and.. CHRYSLER! You are like a child Jackson!"
Jackson snickered adding "A drunk child that you hate to see on holidays.." Oh god! Lightning was so frustrated with this kid! Lightning stared at Jackson a moment before asking again. "What happened yesterday.. How did you wreck?.." Jackson frowned and sighed before looking up. He didn't answer. Lightning nodded and stated blunty then. "You wrecked on purpose.. Didn't you?" Jackson hesitated answering that one. Lightning shook his head and sat down on the floor next to Jackson. "Talk to me.. I've been depressed.. I get death seeming easier.. But you can't just leave everyone who has cared for you.. You have people Jackson."
Jackson only stood up and snapped "What people?! You have an entore town of people behind you, while I only have myself! Granted, I fuck up a lot and push people away, but.. I have nothing.. Who cares about being a champion.. Who cares about a dam cup when theres no one to share it all with." Lightning sighed and stood up. "So this is about Dianna.." He replied. Jackson turned away. Lightning didn't know what to do. "Look.. Stay with.. Me.. Until you feel better again. You have me. Hmm?" He offered. Jackson stared and asked about Sally and what she would say. But Lightning assured he would handle it. "I'll come by after work.. Don't kill yourself before I get back.." Lightning growled.
He began to leave, but Jackson stopped him admitting "I wrote those letters.. The ones Cleo said you sent.. I stole your stationary.. Cleo gave me.. My sight.. In a time frame and if I didn't deliver her those letters, or send them.. As you. She was going to destroy the remote for good.. You understand.. Right?.. please say you do.." He begged in a whimper. Lightning stood there. He was so angry. He turned around and firmly stated. "So you mean.. You could have admitted to sending those letters.. Proving me innocent of that.. You could have testified that Cleo did indeed have that remote in her cell and knew I never had it before I gave it to you and yet.. You told the jury it was possible I had it all this time?.. You lied to them.. To me." He growled.
Jackson stood there. Sort of waiting for the punch. He brethed heavily. Waiting silently. Lightning stared and had to tell himself to calm down. "You.. You just... You're not worthit.. You.." Lightning mumbled. Jackson only felt more broken and Lightning saw that. He knew Jackson was hurting and was scared and was used by Cleo. He was a victim. The kid looked as if he were going to cry. So then next thing Lightning said only shocked and changed Jackson completely. Showing Lightning's true colors.
"I forgive you.."