For their first christmas, the new couple agreed on no physical presents. As they had only been dating about a month anyway. Both visited their own families. Lightning was back first. Then Sally. Ofcorse the town had their own little Christmas party as well. It was the beginning of the new year. Lightning only had a few weeks before season started again and he would be on the road constantly. So he'd have to enjoy the time he and Sally for sure had together. The other thing that started happening was visitors and customers to the little town of Radiator Springs! Mostly fans of Lightning's at first. But the town was becoming known to the world! Which was exciting for all the towns folks!...

Lightning was already sitting at the diner, waiting on his girlfriend so they could try having breakfast together. At the moment, Sally was busy with customers. Doc came up to Lightning and asked "Enjoy your break?" Lighgning nodded answering "Yea, still got a few more weeks though." "Not if you wanna get back into shape. I want you at Willy's butte every morning starting tomorrow. See if I can teach ya a few things." Lightning smiled woth excitement "Great! I can't wait!" he replied. Doc nodded.

A fancy car pulled up to the diner. Whoever owned the car took a moment not to get out. Doc then asked the kid, "When is qualifying anyway?" Lightning looked over toward the cone to see if Sally was on her way yet before he answered "Um two weeks from now." "Good. That seems like plenty of time to get you ready." Doc replied. Lightning smiled explaining "I think I can handle it? Even without training? I mean technically I would have won the cup? I'm fine, I got this." Doc snickered and scolded "Don't be over confident. It's not cute." Lightning raised a brow and just stared at the old man a moment. Then he saw Sally on her way up. She looked beautiful. No skirt this time. Some kinda dark black pantsuit. But she still looked sexy. She was stopped by the man in the fancy car but she was busy lately with all kinds of customers. Flo seemed to be a little extra nosy and watched them. Doc continued his conversation with Lightning asking "And you sure you feel better? Not sick anymore?" Lightning sighed admitting "I feel great now. Probably shoulda... Listened to my doctor sooner.." Doc chuckled saying "You don't argue with me. The sooner you learn that the better." Lightning only nodded. He noticed Sally was takin a long time talking to the man then?.. Hugged him? Who was that guy? Seeing that Flo was extra nosy, Lightning thought she may know and asked "You know him?" Flo glanced at Lightning then Doc. She wasn't sure if she should answer. Doc glanced out the window at Sally and the man and answered "Mmhmm." Then went back to his coffee. Loghtning stared at Doc a moment before asking "Are you gonna tell me who he is?.." Doc sighed but before he could say much else, Sally walked in greeted by the folks, "Morning Sally," She friendly greeted back "Good morning!" Then she walked right up to Lightning, laying her hand on his shoulder and leaned forward for a kiss. The two kissed sweetly and Lightning greeted "Well good morning." with a charming smile. Sally sat next to her boyfriend. "How did you sleep?" Sally asked. Lightning chuckled "Terrible. I'm gonna have to file a complaint with the manager." Sally smiled and rolled her eyes, ignoring that joke.

Then Lightning asked "Who was that guy?" "What guy?" Sally asked. Lightning glanced over and pointed out the fancy car answering "The only guy that stands out around here?" Doc spoke up "You stand out.." Lightning glared a bit at the older man than back to his girlfriend, awaiting an answer. Sally thought a moment. She could be honest or avoid it for now..But Sally was naturally an honest person. So she sighed answering "Um.. That was Ben. My ex husband." Lightning's brows lowered and he glanced back at the guy. Kinda comparing himself to Ben. Sally must of noticed a hint of his insecurity because she grabbed Lightning's hand and explained "You got nothing to worry about Stickers. What he and I had is over. Okay?" Lightning stared at their hands. But didn't feel easy about it. This guy Ben, had history and years with Sally. Lightning had only had a little over a month and hadn't even told her he loved her yet. Not that he didn't! He just.. Was waiting for the right moment to say it.. Whenever it felt right. Lightning stared at Ben who was filling his car up with gas then said "I'm gonna introduce myself." He began to get up but Sally grabbed his arm asking "Not now okay? Come on? Let's have breakfast." She suggested. Lightning kinda glared asking "Does he even know you have a boyfriend?" Sally hesitated answering "Not this very second?.. I'll introduce you after breakfast? okay?" Lightning sighed but agreed and sat back down with her. The two ate breakfast. Lightning did ask "Why is he here anyway?" Sally shrugged though. That didn't sit well with Lightning. After breakfast Lightning immediately wanted to meet Ben. See who this guy was. Sally honestly rather not deal with it right now but she told Lightning she would and she would keep her word.

So the young couple walked back to the cozy cone motel, where Ben was outside the office. Maybe waiting? Lightning thought that was odd. Sally spoke up, calling him, "Ben." Ben looked over at the two of them. Ben was a dark haired man. Darker eyes. Not as fit as Lightning. Not as skinny or tan... But was very well groomed with pricey clothes.Lightning snickered to himself. He looked stuck up. "Hey, I wanted to introduce you to.. To someone." She said with a smile. Ben stared at Lightning. Lightning stared at Ben. "This is Lightning. M,my.. Boyfriend." she barely said it. Ben lent out his hand to shake but Lightning kinda rudely placed one arm around Sally and the other in his pants pocket. Ben put his hand down repeating "Boyfriend? Well, I'm glad you're doing well.. Lightning? That's an odd name?" Lightning faked a smile greeting "Yeah well most people call me McQueen." Ben's eyes widened asking "McQueen?... Your name sounds?.. Familiar? Were you a patient at Saint Cadillac's in LA?" Lightning raised a brow confused a bit. Sally explained "Ben is a doctor. A really good one." she added. Ben snickered with a smile "Awe nah.. I'm not all that great." Being modest. Lightning rolled his eyes but Sally defended "Yes you are? Don't put yoursel"-"Sally don't?.. He was just being nice.." Lightning interrupted. Sally immediately caught on now. Lightning may have been a tad?.. Jealous? That, she never thought she'd see that out of him? He was a celebrity? It was just?.. Surprisingly... Sally placed her hand on Lightning's shoulder and spoke to Ben "It's nice to see you.. I'd love to talk later.." Ben smiled "Alright, I look forward to it." They stood there a moment. Ben then added "Um.. I need a room." Sally's eyes widened with embarrassment! "Right!.. Be right back.." She then scurried off, inside the office. Not even thinking of how she had just left Lightning alone with Ben. The two men stared at each other. "So a doctor huh?" Lightning exclaimed. Ben nodded, "What do you do for a living?" and asked. Lightning ofcorse snickered with a proud smile "I race. I'm in the piston cup league." "Like Nascar?" "Exactly." Ben seemed impressed and joked "That's cool, I can barely put oil in the right place in my car!" and chuckled. Lightning faked a laugh. Honestly the joke made Ben look dumb to him. Sally returned handing Ben a set of keys. "Cone number 6." she smiled.

Ben pulled out his wallet but Sally rejected the payment with "No, no. You can stay for free this trip. I insist." Ben's eyes widened "Are you sure?" Sally nodded happily. Lightning rolled his eyes. Ben then sighed with a smile "I'm proud of you Sally. You've done good! Last time I was here you were talking about buying this odd place. Now you've done it!? I'm truly impressed." He smiled. Sally giggled thanking him. Then Ben went off to his cone. Lightning glared a bit, watching the man leave before speaking up "You do remember me? Right?" Sally giggled, rolling her eyes. She wrapped her arms around Lightning's neck and answered "Ofcorse Stickers. How could I forget you. I mean it. Don't worry about anything. I would never go back to him even if you weren't around." She reassured. "But I am around." "So don't worry than?" She added. Lightning sighed. Sally stared into her boyfriend's eyes continuing "Have I ever given you a reason not to trust me?" Lightning shrugged, answering like a little kid "Well?.. No?.." "So calm down. Don't go all defensive?" she patted his ass or maybe slapped it gently? Lightning only asked "Okay... But?.. A race car driver is way cooler than some doctor right?.." Sally giggled and nodded. Then began to walk back to the diner. Lightning stood there a moment.. "I have to pay for my room?.." He mumbled to himself. He hesitated before turning and following Sally to the diner...

The following morning, Lightning was out at the butte with Doc. Training, practicing, whatever Doc had in mind. So Sally headed to the diner and sat down to eat breakfast alone. She was fine with that. Going through her organizer was fun. Sense she has REAL CUSTOMERS for the first time! It made her truly excited. Ben walked over with a plate of his own and asked "This seat taken?" Sally smiled answering "No." Ben sat next to her and set up his place before making a conversation "So?. McQueen?.. He's a character?" He exclaimed with a bit of a chuckle and smile. Sally smiled back nodding, "He is. But he's great." "How long has that been a thing?" Ben asked. Sally thought a moment before answering "Hmm.. Sense late November." Ben raised his brows a moment then commented "Oh so it's nothing serious yet." He then took a few bited of his own breakfast. Sally stared a moment. Leaning backin her seat she was suspicious and asked "Why are you here Ben?.." It was so quiet and soft the way she asked. Ben sighed with a frown answering, explaining "Well.. For.. For our son?.." Sally snickered "Well that was stupid. He's gone." She suddenly became so cold. Ben grabbed her hand adding "It's okay to hurt?.. You don't always have to be so strong?..." His eyes were glossing over. Sally stared into Ben's eyes. So much heart ache. Sally frowned and turned away. Snatching her hand away. Ben sighed continuing "Sally... Come on?.. You're not the only one who lost so much?.." Sally held it together and quietly snapped "I know. Excuse me." She shut her book, took her coffee and left. And the way she walked. She was really upset. Ben sighed and noticed Flo glaring at him. He shrugged asking "What?" Flo have the motions of pointing at her eyes then him. Watching you. Ben sighed again and rolled his eyes snarling "Bunch of weirdos..." The. finished his breakfast...

Lightning hit the brakes hard to stop next to Doc. "Alright alright! We got work to do." Doc griped. Lightning sighed and got out the window of the race car and took off the helmet "Come on Doc? I'm perfect?" Doc snickered correcting "Far from it. You're doin great rookie. But you arent perfect until you stop." "Stop what?" Lightning asked? Doc stared a moment. Hesitating to answer. "Go again." Lightning sighed then asked "Woah, wait a minute... Can I ask you something?" Doc nodded once. "What happened with Sally and this? Ben?" Doc thought a moment before asking "What did Sally tell you?" "Well they lost a child? Divorced for no reason?" Doc rolled his eyes explaining "You can not fathom what the loss of an infant feels like. That is something that can hurt a marriage. Changes people. Sally found peace here. Didn't I tell you not to push her?" Lightning shrugged a bit. "Don't fuck that up being nosy." he scolded. Lightning's eyes widened as he defended "Alright?... sorry?..." "Now go again." Doc ordered. Lightning slipped the helmet back on and got in the car. Ready to go again and stop?.. Stop doing whatever it was Doc wanted him to stop doing? It wasn't clear..

Late evening, Lightning and Doc returned from practice or training or whatever to outside the diner. Lightning smelled. Was covered on dust. Sally approached him immediately holding her nose "Wow. You.. Smell great!" She sad sarcastically. Lightning glared and replied "You try pleasing that old cook over there? I still don't understand what I had to stop doing?!" Doc chuckled at that. Sally sat next to her boyfriend anyway and patted his hand sayinf "Well please shower. Then maybe I can help ease that tension." She winked. "Now I like the sound of that.." Lightning added. Then he noticed Ben walking up to the diner.He sighed. Annoyed. Sally gently slapped Lightning's shoulder scolding "Be nice." Lightning only muttered back under his breath "Easy for you to say.." Sally glared with a smile. Ben approached them and spoke up to Sally "Hey.. I'm sorry if I hurt you earlier... I promise I didn't mean to?.. I feel pain too okay? And.. And I don't know?..Maybe I was just looking for?.. Closer myself?.." Sally sighed and she and Lightning stared at each other a moment.The look she gave was a?.. Can I get a minute look. Lightning sighed and.. Reluctantly got up saying "I gotta shower.. See you soon.." Then walked away. Ben began sitting where Lightning was but then grabbed a napkin.. A few napkins from the table outside and wiped it down and set some in the seat then sat down. "I am sorry Sally. I love you and I just?..I thought you might be hurting this time of the year?.. I am?.."Ben explained. Sally nodded admitting "Okay... I am. But?.. I'm trying to forget?.. I don't want to think bad of this okay?" Ben smiled and agreed "Me too! You shouldn't! Why don't you come back with me? We can visit our son at the cemetery?.." Sally stared. She swallowed hard. "It's okay to be a little weak?.. I'm not asking you to come home with me? Just?.. Let's moarn together.." He grabbed her hand. Sally didn't pull away. Actually she kinda really thought about it..

Sally came back to her hotel and knocked on Lightning's door. He opened it happily, inviting her in. Sally didn't come in though. "What's wrong?" Lightning asked. Sally had a frown. She looked so?.. Sad?. More so than he had ever seen her before. "Sally?.." He began to wonder if.. If she was indeed leaving him for Ben.. "Sally come on?.. What's wrong?" he asked again. Sally took a deep breath before answering "I'm gonna go to L.A with Ben for a few days.." Lightning's eyes widened.

Now Sally had to go in before their beginning fight was heard through town! The couple quickly faught, "No?! No you can't go back with him!?" Lightning scolded. Sally snapped "Its not actually with him? I just meant with him.. Like seperated ofcorse!?" Lightning was furious and yelled "No! I won't allow it!" Sally immediately yelled "You don't have a choice!?" "Than I'm coming with you!" he yelled! Sally stared a moment. Unsure what to say. Maybe she could let Lightning go with her. "You would want to?" she asked softly. Lightning was completely confused as to where the fight just went? But nodded "Yes?.." Kinda unsure sounding. Sally sighed and sat down on thw couch in the room. Lightning sighed and sat down next to his girl and apologized "I'm sorry.. I just?.. I don't want to lose you because.." He stared, gazed into Sally's eyes. She was listening.."What? Because Ben's a doctor? My ex? Please? I don't want him and don't want to go back to him? I'm with you?" she said happily. Lightning nodded and kinda smiled. Sally leaned forward and kissed Lightning ever so sweetly. The kiss turned a bit more passionate..Then Lightning pulled away and explained "It's none of those things Sal?.." Sally raised a brow and laughed thinking of their little stupid fight than asked "Okay so what is it than?" Lightning shrugged answering "I don't wanna lose you because I love you." Sally's eyes widned. It was the first time he said it. "Don't say it unless you mean it..Please.." She begged. Almost in a soft and hurting tone. Lightning chuckled and lifted her chin up "Okay. I love you." He repeated. Sally smiled. "Well I do create these feelings in people that they themselves don't understand?" She joked. Lightning rolled his eyes asking woth a playful smile "You're never gonna let that go are you?" Sally smiled shaking her head. The couple began kissing thoroughly. Lightning pulled away and asked "This mean we're goin to California together?" Sally nodded answering "Yes Stickers.. But stop talking while I'm trying to fuck you.." She ordered. Lightning was surprised but quickly jumped on the opportunity and kissed her with a lustful and begging heated passion!...

Haha Got ya! Thought i was gonna write another love scene that quick! lol. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.Getting into Lightning and Ben finding out about each other.I hope y'all are really enjoying the story! Thanks for all the love of the previous chapter. I actually was a bit unsure with them talking so much but I'm glad it turned out well!

As far as i have planned so far...I plan on this story going all tthe way to the end of cars 3 and beginning of Come back to me before it ends. So this will be an extremely looonnggg story.!!! Loottsss of fun drama and comedy and sex! Lets not forget that! Even putting cars 2 in. But may change a few things when I get there Idk. The movie was very revovled around Mater and I would have to put it in Sally and Lightning perspective more. Alot of grey area for the movie itself.