The following morning Sally dressed had a good breakfast. She couldn't get that man off her mind... The things that happened. Maybe he could be sweet and kind. Surely there was more to him then his cocky ego? She noticed he was over at the pump near Flo's. Sally drove her Porsche over and started filling it up. Then turned to McQueens race car and started filling it up. Lightning noticed and turned and stared. Sheriff spoke up "Hey! What are you doing!?" Sally smiled and answered. "It's okay Sheriff you can trust me?" Sheriff glared and replied. "I trust you. It's him I'm worried about?" Sally hummed a moment then spoke standing next to McQueen. "I trust him." Lightning's eyes widened. He looked at her. Checked her out a bit.. this girl could be surprising at times. "Come on let's take a drive." She offered. Lightning's expression changed. "A drive?" He asked. Sally giggled a bit and explained "Yeah? A drive? Don't you big city race car drivers ever just take a drive?" Lighting answered "Um no?.. no we don't?" The pump clicked full. Sally got into her car and revved the engine up. Pulling around. McQueen hopped into his race car and pulled forward.. he faced the wide open road.. he thought about it. Freedom.. he could go!?.. to his race!.. sheriff turned on his light. The townsfolk waited for the big chase about to go down. Sally called out "Hey Stickers!? You comin or what!?" She revved the Porsche and sped off. McQueen turned his car around and chased after her.
They drove up to wheel well. Sally explained why she stayed in the town. How she one day hopes and dreams of getting the place back on the map. It got quiet. Staring out at the view. Lightning then awkwardly mentioned "Look, Sally?.. About last night?.." "I think it's best we don't talk about it actually." She quickly said. "It was a.. A one time thing. Please.." she added. Lightning frowned a little "I mean.. It doesn't?... have to be?.." Sally raised a brow and explained back "Yes. It does. Face it Stickers?.. in the end?.. You just.. Youre the kinda guy thay? cares about yourself first.." Lightning let it be. That hurt. Sally walked over to Wheel well. "Come on. I wanna show you something." She said. Opening the creaky old door. Lightning swollowed hard.. he kinda thought some.. not very clean things here. But when he walked in and looked around. A gleam of sunlight beamed through a hole in the ceiling and rooftop. Sally was staring at something. Lightning stood close beside her. "Whats all this?" He asked her. It was a bunch of old photos. Of the town. People who stayed in the motels. Customers. Some were famous people. Some were the townsfolk he recognized. Like Mater. And Flo. And Red..
Sally spoke up. "This town means a lot. To everyone. It's not just some random abandoned town? This place was forgotten to soon.." she frowned. Lightning sighed and replied asking. "Well.. what was it like?" Sally smiled answering. "I like to imagine it. The neon lights. The music... you know, some the best music came from the 50s." Lightning chuckled a bit. Sally continued. "We danced. Everyone got their old cars out. It was amazing. Just felt.. it felt like a place to call home. You know?" Lightning frowned. He didn't answer. He looked at the photos. At Sally's eyes. They sparkled. She really cared for the town. A lot.. Sally sighed. "Well.. guess we should get back huh?" Lightning frowned. Back to work.. he didn't wanna leave her.. he wanted to kiss her again honestly. But.. maybe it was better not to anyway... He didn't need to get attatched? Lightning grabbed Sally's hand and softly said.. "I hope your dream comes true one day..". He smiled. Sally smiled back. "Come on Stickers." She said. Heading back to her Porsche. McQueen spoke up. "By the way. I took you for more a corvette kinda gal?" Sally rolled her eyes and answered. "No? Now Try and keep up this time." She revved her car. Lightning smiled. He was falling for her..
Once back down town. McQueen and Sally sat staring at the town. Sitting on their cars hoods.. "Hey thanks for the drive." Mcqueen thanks and smiled. Sally gazed into his eyes.. "it's kinda nice to slow down every once in a while." He added. Sally answered "You're welcome." And got back in her car and left back to her office. She felt so happy so? Satisfied. And a little upset. Talking about the town.. her dreams.. made her realize how unrealistic it was.. She may never get to see the town in it's Hey day...
Lightning chased after a loose cow. "Come on.. That's it.. No wait!?.. Where are you going!? You cant just go wandering out here all?..." He stopped and stared out at the old man in the car. "Alone?.." He finished in a mumble. Lightning hid behind a bush and watched and whispered "Come on.. Go.. What are you doin?.." Suddenly the car started. A smile crept onto the rookies face. Doc then just as suddenly took off in the car! Lightning's eyes widened seeing the old legend! Then came that turn! Lightning watched eagerly. No way the old guy couod make it? But... He did! Turning right to go left! Doc came to a stop and stepped out of the car. It felt kinda good though he wouldn't admit it. Lightning revealed himself saying "Woah... That was amazing!" Doc glared and got back into his car and sped off quick from the kid.
Lightning headed back into the town and rushed straight to Doc's garage and opened the door to find the old man kinda pouting in a corner, "Doc hold it seriously! That was amazing!?" Lightning complimented. Doc sighed growling "Wonderful. Now go away." Like an angry old man. But the kid was persistent "Doc I mean it!? You still got it!?" "I'm askin you to leave?" Doc scolded. "Oh come on I'm a racer you're?.. A.. Much older racer..." Doc rolled his eyes as the kid continued "But under the hood, you and I are the same!?" That angered Doc. How dare the kid compare himself with him! Doc stood out his garage and held the door open scolding "You and I are not the same now GET OUT!" But that rookie snapped back asking "How could you quit at the top of your game!?" It got quiet. Doc then walked up close to Lightning and asked in a deep kinda scary tone, "You think I quit?" Then flipped a switch on that.. Turned on a light over a poster.. A news article of.."You're big wreck in 54..." Lightning mumbled softly. Doc nodded once explaining "They quit on me. When I finally got back you know what they told me? You're history. Moved right onto the next rookie standing in line." It fell silent. Doc frowned continuing "There was alot left in me.. I never got a chance to show them.." Then his brows lowered and he explained "I keep that. To remind me never to go back. I just... Never expected that?.. that world.. Would find me here?.." Lightning glanced at photo then replied "Hey look Doc? I'm not like them?.." "Oh yeah?" "Yeah?" Doc shook his head then asked "When's the last time you cared about something besides yourself hot rod? You name me one time? and I will take it all back." Lightning was silent. He couldn't think of a time off the top of his head.. "Mmhmm.. I didn't think so." Doc growled. "These are good folks around here? Depending on one another. I don't want them depending on someone they can't count on." Lightning frowned. that Hurt. "Especially Sally." Doc added. That made Lightning angry so he snapped "Oh like you? You've been here how long and your friends don't even know who you are? Who's caring about only himself?" Doc naturally snapped back "Just finish the road and get outa here." Then stomped off. Lightning felt so mad. But.. His anger turned to sadness. Doc.. Sally.. They were right...
The following morning, like pretty much every morning. Sally went to the diner for breakfast. She sat down after getting her food and coffee. Oh how she drank coffee alot. She began eating. Slowly finishing when Lightning walked over and asked "This seat taken?" With a charming smile. Sally stared at him a moment before answering "Uh.. No.." She watched him sit down. She stared.. He stared.. Lightning then asked "So?.. How?.. How long have you lived here in Radiator Springs?" Sally was unsure why he wanted to know but answered "Hmm?.. I guess about Two?.. Years maybe? Why?" "Just glues to the puzzle again." He answered with a shrug. Sally raised a brow and sipped her coffee. Lightning continued "What kind of law did you practice? In LA?" Sally answered slowly "Um.. I was a city attorney.. I more less just handled contracts and business for the.. City.. Some small petty crimes.." "Like destruction of a road?" Lightning asked with a chuckle. Sally giggled answering "Yes especially that." Lightning snickered. "How did you find this place?" He asked next. Sally's expression changed. She suddenly shut down and seemed sad? "Um.." She muttered "You know you should be working. I.. I got to make sure your paper work is ready so.. So when your done you can go back to California.." She got up and left. Lightning didn't mean to touch what was obviously a painful memory...
So Lightning was back to work. Sally was in her office. Lightning did touch a nerve. It hurt thinking back to her past.. Ben.. The baby.. Sally stared down at the bottom drawer of her desk. She opened it and grabbed out a photo album. She flipped through... Seeing photos of her and Ben.. They weren't even married two years and she was pregnant.. She flipped through... she saw how slowly she just.. She even looked unhappy. What begins with pictures of a happily married couple. Who loved each other so much.. Slowly.. Sally's smile faded more and more in the photos until... Their just wasn't any more pictures.. She sighed and shut the book. She looked out at Lightning who was taking a break getting a drink outside the diner with the sheriff. She was falling for him.. So.. Sally decided to approach him and be done with this and murder the feelings they were feeling so it wouldn't be as hard when he left!
Sally walked over to Sheriff and Lightning and asked Sheriff "Can I get a moment alone with the guilty party?" Sheriff's eyes widened but he shrugged "Uh.. Sure?.." kinda confused. Lightning chuckled asking "Guilty party?.. Did I do something else wrong now?" he was amused.Sally grabbed his arm and yanked him across the street and into the office of the cozy cone motel. Immediately shutting the door. Sheriff, sarge and Filmore all looked at each other a moment. Flo stared and glared at the boys then cleared her throat loudly. Sarge began whistling. Filmore pretending to look another direction. Sheriff the same as Filmore. Flo nodded once and glared at them once more before headed back into her diner.
Back in the office, Lightning was confused and in a cocky way joked "If you wanted me alone that badly youjust had to ask?" Sally rolled her eyes then admitted "I have been with your type!" Lightning rolled his eyes snarling "I doubt that. I don't have a type." Sally only continued like he never said that, "Men who think they can do whatever they want and get away with it?.. I came here to run away from my husband!" Lightning's eyes widened. He didn't expect her to had been MARRIED!? "I was married.. Unhappy.. I didn't mean for this place exactly?.. Just broke down here?.. And Doc?.. He. He told me I was pregnant..." She frowned. Lightning immediately thought shit.. Married and had a baby.. Where's the kid?..
Sally sighed continuing "I'm damaged?.. I have baggage.. An ex husband that.. didn't deserve me leaving him?.. I lost.. I lost the baby.." Lightning felt horrible. This poor young woman had lived an entire life in a few short years it seemed. Sally turned away saying "So you see?.. This town?.. it's the only place I'm happy.. I love this town.." Lightning didn't answer. Sally turned back around and the two stared at each other. He stepped closer and cupped her face and smiled. "Why are you smiling? You find my pain? My past amusing?" Sally asked rudely. Lightning shook his head and answered "I.. I just.." he couldn't find the words. Sally frowned. Lightning lifted her chin and leaned to kiss her when the office door swung open and interrupted them! "Doc!?" Sally yelped! Doc scolded "Back to work! Break is over!" Lightning had to leave. Doc gave Sally a disapproving glare then slammed the door shut. Sally stood there a moment. Kind of a?... what just happened... Moment...
That night for dinner. Sally made her way to the diner like her usual routine. She opened the door and the little bell rang above the door. "Hey flo I.." She greeted but stopped. The lights were off. Candles and christmas lights lit the room. "Um.." She stared at ome of the middle tables all set up for a dinner. Lightning stood there and asked "Are you hungry?" Sally was really unsure about this. Then she heard another man. A deep groggy sound of a man clearing his throat. She looked to her side to see Sheriff. Sally raised a brow and asked "What?.. What is this?" Lightning shrughed explaining "Well I knew if I asked you out you would say no?.. So I asked Flo to help out with this." He walked over and held his hand out to Sally. Sally stared and glanced at Sheriff again. Lightning explained that to saying "And Sheriff is supervising. You know? Sense I'm a criminal and all?" he joked. Sally snickered and shook her head with a bit of a smile. Then let out a deep breath and took Lightning's hand. Lightning pulled out her chair and the two sat down.
Flo brought out drinks. Sally gave Flo a look. Flo winked and went on. Sally sighed "Thank you.. This is.. This is nice Stickers." Lightning smiled and the two ate quietly. It was a bit awkward. Especially having a Sheriff supervise your dinner. "So.." Lightning asked cautiously "You were married?" Sallt glanced at Sheriff before answering "Yes.." Everyone in the town knew and met Ben. Lightning nodded and asked "Did he?.. hurt you?" Sally's eyes widened some and she quickly answered "No!?.. No.. Nothing like that?.. i just.. Things didn't work out.. He was.. I was.. I married to quick.. He didn't do anything wrong. He was.. He was a perfect gentleman." Lightning raised a brow and asked "Do you still talk to him?" Sally stared a moment then asked "You seem awful curious about me and my life before here? What about you? You always been famous?" Lightning chuckled answering "Nah.. I.. I grew up in foster homes." Sally frowned "Oh... I'm sorry.." she softly apologized. Lightning asked "For what? My parents abandoned me. It happens." Sally was surprised at that answer. She definitely didn't expect this guy to be the foster child type? But he probably didn't expect her to been married and had a miscarriage either...
Tney finished dinner. Sally thanked McQueen, "Dinner was nice. Thank you." Lightning smiled saying "You're welcome. Walk me home?" He asked and held out his hand. Sally blushed a little then glanced at Sheriff. Who said "Just be ready for service in the morning." Lightning joked back to the man "Oh ofcorse. Wouldn't wanna miss that..".He shook his head with a glare. Sally and Lightning walked to the cozy cone slowly. Her hand around his arm. Doc watched carefully from a ways away. He didn't like this at all! The two stopped at come number one. "Well.. This is me." Lightning exclaimed. Sally smiled and replied "Thanks again. But.. Why?" she asked. Lightning answered easily "You should be happy? You deserve to be Sally. I wanted to see you happu at least once before I head out?" That reminded her.. He was leaving.. She frowned. "Yeah well... Goodnight..." She began to leave but Lightning stopped her by her hand and pulled her back, kissing her softly. Sally pulled away. They stared at each other silently. His blue eyes... Her teal eyes... "I.. I should go..".Sally stuttered. Lightning nodded and watched her leave..
Later that night, Doc knocked on her office door though.
"Hey Doc!? How are things going?" She greeted. Putting away some paper from cleaning her desk. Doc spoke up "What did you do that for Sally?" He asked. Sally stared a bit confused. Doc continued "What were doing up the pass with him? He had work to do. That way he can leave." Sally frowned and answered. "Doc?.. I know I just.. I wanted to show him the town. The highway?" Doc nodded and replied. "Tell me you didn't?.." He sighed. "His type will hurt you Sally. I don't wanna see you hurt." Sally read Doc a bit better than that. Sally answered "Hey I didn't tell him your secret? I'd never do that?" Doc smiled and said "Oh I know Sally. I know you didn't. That kid found his way into my garage. I'm gonna have to find a better way to keep people out." Sally chuckled a bit. Doc continued "Be careful Sally. The sooner he leaves the better." Sally replied "Okay Doc.." she frowned. Doc knew it. He could see it in her eyes. She was falling for him. Good grief.. Doc spoke up "No more messing with him. You don't wanna get close to a racer!" Sally lowered her brows and yelled back "I'm close with you?! You were a racer? How could you say that?" Doc shook his head and said back "Just listen to me Sally. Once he's gone things can go back the way they were!" He left angry. Sally was upset a bit to now. "Yeah.. at least I don't hide things from everyone?" She mumbled to herself. And maybe she didn't want thing back like they were...