Chapter 27. - The Win And The Proposal -
Three days later: Lightning sat in his trailer, awaiting his first race in almost a year. As the ramp lowered, Lightning grinned, sank down on one wheel, sending a beam of light streaming from his chrome sticker.
"Ka Chow!" Lightning exclaimed "I'M BACK!"
The crowd around him erupted, louder than ever before.
"You ready?" Doc asked "It's time to go!"
"I'm ready." Lightning replied "I can do this!"
He looked over to his pit. The pit crew looked back at him proudly, the head pity smiled and nodded. Lightning saw his and Sally's parents, Sophia and Sally were on the sideline. He was surprised to see a car that looked like him, but she was pure white with the McQueen trademark, sapphire blue eyes.
"Minion! It's a wonderful surprise to see you! When did you get here?" Lightning asked driving up to the car "How have you been?"
"BOOGER!" Merida squealed as she hugged him tightly "I'm doing great! I'm on a three week break. Mom and dad said they were coming to the race, so I decided to tag along."
"I see you still haven't grown up." Lightning said, pointing to her coloring "So I guess you're going to be my 'baby' sister forever."
"Just because I have our grandparents coloring doesn't make me your minion and don't think about painting me a bright yellow…again." Merida said playfully "My natural color makes me highly sought-after as a model. Besides, I make more money strutting down the catwalk, than you make running five hundred laps."
"I would never think of painting you yellow." Lightning said "Mom nearly had an engine attack when she saw what I did. It was one of the only times she spanked me.
"She actually spanked both of us." Merida said "You for paining me and me for letting you do it." Lightning and Merida hugged again.
Lightning drove to the rest of his family.
"Hey!" Sally said "Are you ready?"
"I hope so." Lightning said "I'll see you in five hundred laps."
They kissed once before he drove over to Sophia. She was still wearing her purple paint job.
"I like the color." Lightning said "It really brings out your eyes."
"Thanks Light, Doc likes it so well, I'm keeping it." Sophia said just as the loudspeaker called the racecars to the track. "Good luck! I'll be cheering for you!"
Lightning hugged Sophia and Lilly before shaking tires with Lance.
"Luck maith, tiomáint sábháilte agus go tapa. (Good luck, drive safe and fast.)" Riley said "Tá mé bródúil as sin de tú. (I'm so proud of you.)"
Riley surprised Lightning by giving him a hug. Not knowing what else to do, Lightning hugged him back.
"Daidí go raibh maith agat. (Thank you Dad.)" Lightning said, then he saw Bella crying her eyes out "Mom, please stop. Nothing bad is going to happen… I promise."
"I know… I'm just so happy." Bella said as she hugged and kissed him "I don't want you to go!"
"Bella, a ligean Lightning dul, tá said ag glaoch air an racetrack. (Bella, let Lightning go, they are calling him to the racetrack.)" Riley said "Ní féidir leat dul ar aghaidh go deo. (You can't hang on forever.)"
"Ní féidir liom cabhrú liom féin. (I can't help myself.)" Bella said "Is mise a mháthair tar éis an tsaoil. (I'm his mother after all.)"
Lightning managed to peel himself away from Bella.
"Lightning wait!" Sally said as she drove up to him "Your mom knows Irish?"
"Uh, yeah…we all do." He said "Irish was the main language spoken when I was living at home… so I'm assuming it still is."
"Good luck, be safe… Booger." Sally laughed as Lightning kissed her "After the race, I'll meet you at victory lane."
"Don't worry Sweetheart." Lightning said, as a single tear slid down Sally's hood "I'm more worried about what Doc will do to me if I screw up… I got to go."
They kissed one last time before Lightning headed out to the track.
"Doc, can you hear me?" Lightning asked as he took his spot on the grid "I'm in position."
"I hear you loud and clear." Doc replied "As soon as the racing officials get their shit in gear we'll get this fucking thing going."
Lightning smiled when he heard Doc cussing. It was comforting to hear that. Lightning felt like his life was getting back to normal. All of Lightning's family headed to the skybox as the call to start your engines was made.
"Remember Rookie." Doc said "Float like a Cadillac…"
"…and sting like a Beamer!" Lightning said "I'm ready, let's get it on!"
Lightning started his engine and watched the green flag being raised by Dexter. It was then suddenly dropped. Lightning shot out onto the track, along with forty-two other competitors. Lightning was in first place for ten laps before Chick passed him.
"Let him go." Doc said "It's too early to engage him in a speed duel."
Lightning drifted between the leading pack and the secondary pack of cars for most of the race. With twenty laps left: Lightning shot to first place.
"Good Kid." Doc said "Now, don't let anyone pass you."
With five laps remaining: Chick passed Lightning on the inside.
"No, you don't!" Lightning called "I didn't do all that training to come in second."
With one lap to go: Lightning caught up to Chick. However, lapped racecars were blocking the way. All that was open was a narrow space between Chick and the wall. Lightning gathered his courage and entered the space. Once he was hood to hood with Chick, Chick slammed into Lightning. Sparks flew as the cars pushed and shoved each other. Suddenly, Lightning felt buzzing coming from his engine. It was the same kind of buzzing when he was chasing Chick through the desert. Lightning closed his eyes and concentrated harder than he's ever concentrated before. Suddenly something clicked inside his engine and Lightning felt a tremendous surge of power race through him. Going into the backstretch Chick tried to push Lightning into the wall. Lightning pushed back and right before turn three he pushed Chick so hard, he pushed him right off the track. Chick spun out and came to a stop a few feet from the wall. Lightning then turned his attention to Sapphire. She had taken advantage of Lightning and Chick's duel and was now in first place. Lightning revved his engine and easily caught up to her. Their sides touched as they exited turn four. Lightning let out a burst of speed that took him by surprise. He won the race by a full car length.
"Yes!" Lightning cried happily "I won!"
"Good job Rookie!" Doc said "How do you feel?"
"Awesome!" Lightning said happily "Before you ask, no I'm not in pain. I'm not really that tired either."
"Great Kid!" Doc said "I think you're officially back."
As Lightning drove into his pits, he was congratulated by most of the other racecars. Sapphire rolled up to him.
"Did you really have a severe wreck last season or did you fake it so you could take some time off?" She said playfully making Lightning laugh "It looks like I'm going to have to step up my racing if I want to defend my Piston Cup. Great race Light. I'm glad you're back."
"Thanks Sapphire. I'm happy to be back." Lightning said, looking at the leaderboard, there was an 'inquiry' by his name "What's that all about?"
"I don't know." Doc said "Head to victory lane and I'll find out."
At Victory Lane: Lightning was doing an interview with Kori when Doc arrived. Lightning ended the interview as quickly as he could and drove over to him.
"So what's the hold up?" Lightning asked "I thought they would have made the race official by now."
"Chick filed a complaint against you. He said that you deliberately shoved him off the track." Doc said "That's why there's an inquiry by your name. The racing officials are reviewing the tape to see if you broke any league rules."
"I did and I didn't, besides he's the one who made the first move." Lightning said "I don't know how to explain it, my engine started buzzing… like it did when I was chasing him through the desert. Then something in my engine clicked and I felt a wave of… of power flowing through me… I-I-I… It's like… I don't know… It's like I had a super power or something. When I pushed Chick to get him off me, I pushed him right off the track. Then I caught up to Sapphire like she was standing still. *Doc smiled hugely at him.* You knew this would happen, didn't you?"
"Yes, eventually." Doc said "I knew sooner or later you would tap into your engine's true power. I didn't say anything, because you had to learn it on your own. It's something that can't be taught."
"Oh! Okay." Lightning said "I think I understand what you're talking about. How long will it take for the officials to make a decision about the inquiry?"
"Hopefully not long." Doc said as Sally and the rest of the family reached Victory Lane. "In fact here they come now."
Doc drove over to them. The officials spoke with him for a few minutes before Doc drove back to Lightning and the family.
"I have good news." He said "Since Chick initiated the contact between him and you, the officials are dismissing Chick's complaint. Head to the stage, it shouldn't be long until they make the results final."
There was a new regulation starting this racing season. All racecars must undergo a drug test after every race.
"Lightning McQueen!" A racing official said as Lightning and Doc reached the stage. "We need your drug test before the race results can be made official."
Lightning groaned. "You forgot, didn't you?" Doc teased "I knew you would."
Lightning and the racing official drove to the official's tent. The official scooted a medical specimen cup over to him.
"Not to sound stupid." Lightning said "Do I pee in this?"
"Yes." the official said "Don't make a mess like Chick did."
Lightning headed to the back of the tent. He removed his codpiece and spread his rear tires. It took a few moments until he could urinate. Lightning's aim was off and he missed the cup completely. He peed on his mechanical arm that was holding the cup.
"Oh, great, I just pissed on myself. Good thing that Doc isn't around; he would tease me senseless." Lightning said to himself "Or worse, make me practice peeing in a cup."
Lightning moved the cup into the urine stream. A few moments later he came back out with the cup filled to the rim.
"Lightning!" A track nurse said "I don't need that much."
"Oh, I didn't know how much you needed, so I filled it up." He bashfully said "I'm sorry that it looks like a cold beer. It came out kinda fast… I really had to go."
"It's okay, you're not the only one to give me a sample that looks like that. The next time, I need only about half that." She said "You can head to the stage. I should have the results in about ten minutes."
A half an hour later: The officials made the results official. Lightning finished in first, Sapphire in second, and Frank Hollister in third. Lightning drove up to the podium and grinned as thousands of fans roared loudly. After all the awards were handed out, Lightning rolled up to a bank of microphones.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Lightning said as his voice echoed around the stadium. "Almost a year ago as you know, I was severely injured in an accident. It has been a long road back… I won today doesn't mean I was the best racecar out there... I guess what I'm trying to say is don't give up… If you ever hit an obstacle that seems impossible to go around. Don't quit, fight to overcome it… I need to say thank you to a few people. Firstly: To my trainer, crew chief, and physician, Doc Hudson. I wouldn't be out here if it weren't for you and your talented staff. You have my heartfelt gratitude. I know I've tried your patience at times, and for that I'm truly sorry. It's your wisdom and knowledge that allows me to stand here today. To my best friend, Mater: Thank you for making me laugh and keeping my spirits up during my darkest days. Without you, I wouldn't know what a true friend looks like. To my parents and sister: I know we haven't been close for a long time. Hopefully we can continue to grow as a family. To the entire town of Radiator Springs: I would be here all night if I thanked you individually. So I'm going to just say thank you for giving me such a wonderful place to call home. *Lightning glanced at Sally.* Finally: Can I ask my girlfriend, Sally Carrera to join me on stage?"
Sally's eyes were huge as her parents ushered her on to the stage. Lightning grabbed her tire and pulled her next to him. "Sally, love of my life: If it hadn't been for you keeping me in line, I would have re-injured myself a lot more than I did. So Sweetheart, I can't thank you enough. This victory is for you. Finally, I want to ask you a question. *Lightning dropped down on one tire and opened the box that held the engagement rim.* Sally, will you marry me?" he asked "Would you make me the happiest car in the world?"
The stadium roared with approval.
"Yes! Yes." Sally cried without having to think about it "I thought you would never ask!"
Lightning grinned and kissed Sally. Lightning drove up to the microphones again. "I apologize, ladies and gentle cars." he said "I made a mistake. I want to thank Sally Carrera my fiancé: not my girlfriend, for keeping me from re-injuring myself."
The stadium roared even louder.
Later that evening: Lightning had gotten VIP passes for his family to attend the after-race party at the track restaurant. At dinner: Everyone made toasts.
"Sláinte Gaelach, An Irish Toast." Riley said "If you cheat, may you cheat death. If you steal, may you steal your lover's heart. If you fight, may you fight for a brother. If you drink, may you drink with me."
Everyone took turns and made their toasts. Dinner was then served. After dinner: A band started playing and the couples danced the night away. It was close to two in the morning before the party started to wind down. Lightning escorted Sally back to the hotel. Her engagement rim sparkling in the moonlight.
Moments later: They arrived at Sally's room.
"Wow! What a day!" Sally said as she passionately kissed him "I want to celebrate your win! That's if you're not tired."
"I'm more drunk than tired." Lightning said "More than my victory, I want to celebrate our engagement."
"I think we can do both." Sally said as she removed his codpiece and fondled his manhood "It's been forever since we have had some 'alone time'. I want you so bad I can taste it."
Lightning eagerly followed Sally into the bedroom. Later that morning: Lightning said his farewells to his parents and sister as they left the speedway and headed to the airport.
"I don't know about you." Lightning said to Sally, after they left. "But I plan on sleeping most of the morning."
"I'm sorry I rode you hard… but I needed it! I was a desperate woman." Sally laughed, then she saw his blood shot eyes "Hung over, are we?"
"Yeah, it's hard not to drink myself stupid when dad is around. One of these days I'm going to learn that I can't out drink him." Lightning said "Doc is going to have a fit when he notices I drank too much."
"I wouldn't worry about that." Sally said smugly as Doc and Sophia pulled up beside her "Good morning, Sophie, Doc!"
Doc's eyes were just as blood shot as Lightning's.
"Well look who has a hangover!" Lightning playfully said "It looks like someone had too much to drink last night."
"Don't fuckin' start with me." Doc growled; his hood was pounding terribly. "You don't look much better yourself."
Just then, Sally's parents arrived.
"Sally, we need to get going." Lance said "I have a trial coming up next week and I need to get to the office."
Sally went to her father and gave him a big hug and kiss. "I love you." She said "I'll miss you and Mom."
"I'll miss you too." Lilly said, hugging Sally. "When you get home, call me and we can start on your wedding plans."
"I would love that." Sally said as she escorted her parents from the speedway. When she got back, Lightning and Doc was done loading their trailers.
"All right everybody, load up." Mack said "It's time for us to hit the road."
They were going to the next race in Palm Beach Florida. Lightning knew this year was going to be great.
COMMENTS:
Guest 2
Lightning certainly has the respect and charm from that meeting with Sally's parents. Really flattered Sally's mum. - You're always nervous when you're meeting your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents for the first time.
Lance sees good potential in Lightning. Lance likes Lightning already. Good when people get straight to the point of the conversation rather than beat around the bush.- Yep, I couldn't have said it better myself.
I guess Doc had no choice but to bring Chick in for the practice providing he behaves otherwise he'll add more to his criminal record.- Doc also wanted to see how Lightning reacted when Chick put him in a tough position.
As aggressive Lightning can be on the track he's got a kinky side and he so desperately wants to make love to Sally. Sally's got plenty of time for him after the race.- And she got what she wanted after the race.
Keep your time balanced and don't rush things. No doubt Distractions is gonna be way longer than Sidelined. Keep Lightning and Sally amused plenty with each other's presence and love sessions- I plan too,
To everyone: Have a safe and wonderful summer. I'll be back in a few months with another story!
I do not own Cars or any of its characters. PIXAR AND DISNEY CLAIM THAT RIGHT. READING ENJOYMENT ONLY
Please read and review! I need criticism and encouragements! Rated M for language and sex.