It was early. A few hours before sunrise. Lightning was already up and dressed and quietly snuck over to the room Sally was staying in. He quietly opened the door and called. "Sally..." No answer. He walked over to the bed and smiled seeing her peacefully asleep. She was so beautiful that she just made him smile looking at her. "Sally.." He whispered. She moved around a bit then opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Lightning? What are you doing in here? Is it time to get up already?" She asked. Mostly sense they had planned to leave earlier to head out for breakfast before riding the trails.

Lightning shook his head answering "No.. But I want to show you something." Sally whined a bit saying "Honey.. I love you, but I don't want to see your member right now.. I'd much rather sleep.." "What? No." Lightning said with a chuckle. "Nothing like that. Come on.. Get up, please." He begged. Sally whined a bit asking "Do we have to?..." "Yes, it'll be worth it." He assured then leaned over her and kissed her lips softly. Sally sighed and smiled. "Okay. But go so I can get dressed." "You mean I can't watch?" teased Lightning. Sally glared and grabbed her pillow and threw it at him. It made Lightning laugh and reluctantly leave...

Lightning drove while Sally fell back asleep in the passenger seat of the car. She was tired and Lightning glanced at her a few times. She was just so beautiful and he knew that what he felt was real for this one. Even if Sally didn't know it or feel it, this trip definitely grew Lightning closer to her. Lightning drove out a few hours when the jeep finally came to a stop. "Sal.. Sally, we're here." He announced, waking her up. Sally yawned as she opened her eyes and looked around. She had to rub them a bit to adjust. "Where are we?" She asked. Some wide open field on a hill. Lightning began getting out of the jeep as he answered."A few hours from my Mom's. Come on." He coaxed.

Sally yawned once more and got out as well. Lightning sat on the hood then helped Sally by pulling her up and next to him. The couple stared out in the distance where the sun was rising. Gold blooming from the horizon like petals of a flower. Filling the sky with orange, pink, amber and peach colors, only th warmest of colors. It's Ray's reaching out, touching, gleaming onto their skin, the car. Shining into the empty field they were parked in. A slight breeze playing through Lightning's golden hair and only making his gold hue shine. Sally gazed at him and smiled saying "It's beautiful out here." Lightning nodded agreeing. Gazing back at her, the sun glistened on her skin, making Sally look even more bronze skinned and her beautiful platinum hair blowing gently with the wind. Lightning smiled and lay his hand in hers before asking "May I kiss you?"

Sally smiled with such happiness and nodded. The two slowly leaned into each other and kissed ever so softly, so passionately. The sunrise seeming more romantic and more beautiful than any sunset before. Their lips parted with a quiet smack, both smiling and gazing upon each other. Sally spoke up suggesting "We should start every morning like this one." Smiling. Lightning chuckled and agreed. "Most definitely. There isn't anything like a good ole Texas sunrise." He added.

Sally leaned her head on his shoulder as they watched the sun continue to rise over the field. "Your family is really nice Monty." Sally teased him with his birth name. Lightning wrapped his arm around his love and smiled. "Yeah, I guess. Maybe one day you could be a part of it." he exclaimed. Sally sat up and looked at him with such wide, but loving eyes. Lightning snickered and feared scaring her so assured quickly "Not yet. Don't worry. We've had this conversation. Totally not ready for that kind of commitment, but.. One day. Maybe?" "Think we'll stay together that long?" Sally asked. Lightning pulled her close, leaning his head on hers as they watched the last of the sun rise. "Well... I'd like that.. You know.. Have what Strip and Linda have one day."

Sally loved hearing those things and it was very romantic in the warm Texas sun. "I love you Lightning." "Oh I'm Lightning now?" He joked. Sally snickered and sat up off his shoulder. "This is a good way to ask someone to marry you though. Nice beautiful sun ruse, alone, quiet." "Until about an hour from now. Cows will be all in this field tearing it up. Not so romantic then." He admitted. Sally smiled then asked "I'm hungry. Wanna grab breakfast?" Lightning nodded and hopped off the jeep. He reached out for Sally, taking her by her hips and pulling her own the hood. They stood and stared, gazing into each other's eyes. Lightning knew that he could marry this one day, not yet, but one day. Sally then thought of something and asked "Could I make a quick call before breakfast on your phone. Once we get back into town? I need to call Hank and check on something." Lightning raised a brow and reminded, "Thought you gave Hank and the guys time off?" He asked. Sally nodded then explained "I did.. But.. There were a few little details I forgot to mention and you know me! It'll bug me for the rest of the trip if I don't tell him as soon as possible." "Yeah.. That's true.." Lightning mumbled so handed her his phone.

So after a few phone calls and riding trails for a few hours, Lightning and Sally began heading back and had to stop and fill up before returning to Minty's home. Lightning got out and started pumping the fuel when the woman next to him saw him and stared. Lightning saw her staring a few times, but minded his own business. At least at first. She just kept staring as she pumped her little blue car up with gas to. The pump clicked and, so Lightning put it back up and shut the cap. When he turned back around, the woman was straight in his face and made him jump! "Woah! Hey, hi?.." Lightning greeted. Sally watched from inside the jeep as the woman looked Lightning up and down then asked "Why do you look so familiar? I've seen you before.. Somewhere..." Lightning shook his head.

This was a town outside of Small Town and right now his mind was blank. "Sorry I.. Don't think we've ever met." He replied to the woman. The woman thought hard and started talking on about how familiar Lightning looked to her. As she went on, Sally's eyes widened as she saw a large truck for the Rusteze brand with none other than Lightning's face on it with that chizzling smile of his written 'You to, can be like me! Piston cup champion!' drive by and she quickly shouted "Lightning!" He looked back at her and saw her point out to the road. Lightning looked that way and saw the truck. Wasn't Mack, just a product truck. Lightning's jaw dropped slowly. Was he really becoming that famous? He wondered. The lady just couldn't remember and shrugged as the truck drove away. "Oh well. Sorry to bother you young man." She said. Lightning assured her it was fine then got into the jeep with Sally. "I was not expecting to see my face on a truck." He admitted. Sally giggled asking "Does it feel weird?" "Nah.. I mean sort of.. But, no." He answered then he started up the jeep and headed out for the few hours back to Minty's...

The couple walked back into the house to find dinner done and Minty just dishing up plates. "Hungry?" The Mother asked. Lightning and Sally glanced at each other then one asked "What's for dinner?" Minty snickered and answered, "Well, I didn't want Sally to feel left out or go hungry, so I looked through the stuff you brought and cooked up some Spaghetti with the stuff you bought with my famous Bison meat balls. Pretty sure you'll like them Sally and I even made a fresh salad." Lightning raised a brow asking "Hold on, you made salad?" Lightning asked with a chuckle. Minty glared snapping "Hey! Just because I grew up a meat eater don't mean I can't make a green salad. I did have to look up what all goes in a salad, I'll admit that.. But Sally will eat all this? Won't you?" She asked the girl.

Sally nodded answering "Oh yes mam. You didn't have to make a special meal just for me to eat." She assured. Minty shrugged replying "Well I couldn't live with myself other wise. You are like family round here." Sally was happy and a little surprised to hear that. Lightning loved hearing that, also scared to hear it. Things were getting real, real quick. Maybe even starting to move a little to fast all of a sudden. This trip was making him fall in love with Sally more and more, like a sick feeling in his stomach. His stomach knotting up and he felt like he could throw up all of a sudden. Was it hot? Was he sweating? Is the room spinning? Minty must of noticed her son feeling strange because she gave him such an odd look as she asked "Monty? You okay? Look a little pale son." Sally looked at Lightning and he really did. Lightning stared back at Sally then his Mom answering "I.. I'm.. F-fine.. I just.." Felt dizzy, sick to his stomach, like he was about to pass out!? PANIC ATTACK!? "I'm fine." He said with a high pitch crack in his voice then cleared his throat and in a deeper voice repeated "I'm fine."

Sally and Minty looked at him with weird expressions. Chad walked in and greeted "Hey guys! So how was riding?" "FINE. Fine! It was fine, I'm fine." Lightning jumped. Chad's brows lowered as he then looked at Sally and asked "What did you do to him?" "WHAT!?" Sally snapped! Minty sighed and butted in "She ain't done a dam thing Chad." "Yea, she did." He replied. "What did I do?" Sally asked. Lightning jumped in saying "I'm fine Chad. Don't." "Don't what?" Sally asked, purely lost. Chad crossed his arms and looked at his younger brother for a moment. "What?" Asked Lightning. Chad just glared at him. Chad's glare faded away as he said. "Nothing. If you won't admit it." "Admit what?" The younger one asked. Chad shrugged it off and let it be. Minty rolled her eyes and with that ordered Chad to grab Kristine and for Lightning and Sally to go shower before the family ate dinner together...

Minty heard someone knocking like a crazy person on the front door. To the point it woke everyone up in the house. Early, very early. Minty walked up to the door when Chad appeared asking "Who the heck is out here at this time?" Minty shrugged answering "Probably the neighbor lookin for his horses or cattle again." Lightning rubbed his eyes as he came out and looked at Chad asking "What is going on?" Chad crossed his arms and shrugged. "Neighbors.." Minty peeked out the window then turned to her boys answering "No.. Not neighbors.. Bunch of out of towners it looks like.." "What?" Asked Chad confused. "What happen? A bus break down or somethin?"

Minty shrugged and opened the door to the crowd of folks. Probably about ten or so people. The one in the very front was the woman from the gas station. "I knew you looked familiar!" She shouted happily and pointed at Lightning! Minty and Chad looked at Lightning with the expression of 'what did you do?' The woman looked at the crowd behind her shouting "SEE! I told you! It's Lightning McQueen! That young rookie who gave up the cup for the King!" Well Lightning was awake now! "Could we have pictures!?" Asked one man! "I want an autograph!" Another yelled. Lightning was speechless at first, then it clicked and she shook his head to almost wake up into reality. Sally walked out at this time asking "What is going on?" "LOOK! IT's his girlfriend!" One yelled! Another pointed at her yelling "KISS!"

Sally tared at the people then hid behind Lightning slowly. "SHOW US THE BOLT! DO THE BOLT!" Another yelled! Minty only snapped at the crowd "GO ON AND GET OUTA HERE! THIS IS FAMILY TIME! AND IF YA'LL COME BACK HERE YOU'LL BE GREETED BY MY SHOTGUN NEXT TIME!" She slammed the door. Chad laughed saying "Little harsh there Mom." Minty glared at Lightning then snapped at him quick "HOW DID THOSE HUNGRY FREAKS GET MY ADDRESS!?" Lightning raised his hand up at his chest as if surrendering answering "I don't know!? Honest!" Chad slapped his forehead. "My jeep..." He whined. Minty glared at her older son and ordered "You get rid of them." Then stomped off back to bed.

"Wow.." Sally whispered. "Why is your Mom so angry?" she asked. Chad spoke up answering "Never liked crowds.. Just hits her hard I think." "Why?" Asked Sally. Lightning looked at her answering "Robert.. Reporters were all over the house when he died." "Oh.." Sally hated that for Minty. Chad sighed and looked outside. Crowd was still there. Lightning peeked out saying "They won't leave unless I give them what they want." "What exactly is it they want? And won't more show up if you do that?" He asked. Lightning nodded. It was a loose loose situation. Chad rubbed his eyes whining "I'll just call the sheriff..." Then stepped away to grab the phone. Sally walked over and stared out the window with her boyfriend. "Might be another way to get rid of them and make sure they don't come back here." "How?" He asked.

Sally smiled answering "Give them what they really want." Lightning raised a brow asking "Pictures and the ole kachow?" Sally giggled and said. "Sort of.. But I was thinking more of a race." Lightning smiled brightly to that. "Now you're talking my language." He said proudly and wrapped an arm around his girl. "Just one question." He added. "Who and what will I race?" Sally giggled and shook her head answering "We're in Texas Lightning. Don't we know some big fancy sponsor that lives in Texas and that would happily do just about anything for you?" Lightning thought about it for a moment then nodded "Tex Dinico." "Exactly." Sally smiled proudly then ordered him to "Go on and get dressed. If you are up for it, I'm gonna set this up. Does Tex have a track?" She asked. Lightning snickered answering "Yeah. Where do you think Cal practiced at?" He asked before chasing after Chad. Sally loved seeing Lightning getting all excited over a little track time. It was rather cute..

Tex slapped Lightning on the back saying "So glad you called and said you were out here Light! Man I can't believe you grew up in the greatest state like me." He laughed. Lightning chuckled and thanked the Dinico owner. "Yeah, hey, thanks Tex for letting me borrow one of the cars." "Oh it's nothin. Not only are you one of the kindest sportsmen I've met, but Cal and you seem to be good friends. Can't say no to you. And It is a delight to meet your family!" The texan added looking at Chad, Kristine, and Minty. Minty glared at the sponsor and just asked "What do you get out of this?" Kind of rudely really. Lightning frowned and scolded. "Mom.. Please.. Tex is a good friend and very known contributor to the sport." Tex snickered hearing that and said "Please, I'm more of a glorified fan. Names Tex." He introduced.

Chad happily shook hands with the man. "It is so awesome to meet you Mr. Tex!" Chad was excited to meet him. "My brother's and I have always admired your sponsorship and The King growing up." Tex chuckled and nodded "Yeah. My boy made me proud. But let's be honest, for you younger men, it was the dinico girls that got ya'll hooked." He joked, but it was a little true. "Speakin of them, wanna meet them?" He asked. Chad's eyes widened. "The.. Th-the Dinico girls? Are you serious?" He asked. Tex laughed and nodded. "Ricardo." Called Tex. A man walked over to the wealthy man. "Take um.." "Chad." "Chad here to meet the girls and get a picture." He ordered all friendly like. Ricardo took Chad to meet the girls while Tex then introduced himself to Kristine and Minty.

"So you must be the young champion's Mother." He assumed. Minty glared at the man answering "I am." "You raised one slick of a boy here Mam. I admire him." "Thanks.." She just didn't like big sponsors and it was clear from the start. Tex sighed and "Okay.. So Light!" He called. "I got everything set up as Sally here asked. Pictures, autographs, the car, and emergency vehicles in case. Can never be to ready and careful. OH! And with one added bonus." "What's that?" Asked Lightning curiously. Tex smiled answering "Well I got you set up to race this evening because I am flying Cal out here." "Really!?" Asked Lightning. Tex nodded. "Whose Cal?" Asked Kristine. Lightning was the one to answer "Just one of the racers I race. He's a great guy, you won't like him."

Tex's brows lowered as he said "Now I don't now anyone who don't like Cal." Lightning chuckled and added. "Phhhh believe me, Kristine likes no one." Tex snickered and looked at the young lady. "Well why don't I let her run one of the training cars?" Kristine shook her head answering "No thanks. I'd rather not. I'm not into race cars." Tex nodded. "Well, it's not for everyone." He said. "Cal should be here in a few hours. For now, let's get some photos and autographs done." "Are you charging people?" Asked Minty. Tex nodded and explained "Yes Mam, but I'm donating all the money to the children's hospital. Press eat that stuff up." Minty just glared at Tex. She wasn't liking him all that much...

Lightning signed the last autograph, with Sally standing next to him. "That wan't so bad." He admitted. Sally smiled and nodded agreeing. She looked over in the stands near them and asked "Your Mom isn't mad at me for having this idea? IS she?" Lightning looked over his Mother who didn't exactly look all that happy. "No. She's.. Just.. I'll talk to her." He assured and stepped away. Lightning walked over and sat down next to his Mom and asked "Hey?.. Why do you seem so mad?" Minty looked at her son and frowned answering "I'm not really Mon.. I just.. I worry about you and this just reminds me of Robert." "I'm sorry Mom.. Maybe this was a bad idea." "Oh no. I see how happy you are and how much you love it out here, and that makes me happy seeing that. I'm fine really. But promise me you will always be careful." "I promise Mom. Always and forever." Lightning assured.

Tex walked up saying "Cal just got here if you wanna head to the track." Lightning nodded and smiled at his Mom. "Come on, you have to meet Cal. If anyone understands how you feel about racing at times, it's Cal," he pulled his Mother along and out to the pit area of the track. Sally, Chad, Kristine and Cal were there already. Tex walked up and said "I'm gonna be up in the box. You two boys suit up and introduce them all Light." "Will do Tex." Lightning replied then smiled at Cal and greeted. "How you doin Cal?" "Great. Gotta say I was pretty excited to get the call from Tex. Nice to get some pre season practice in." "I couldn't agree more. So let me introduce you to my family. This is my brother Chad, my sister Kristine." Kristine waved at Cal and smiled weird like. "And this is Minty, my Mother." Lightning introduced. Minty smiled saying "Nice to meet you Cal." "And you mam." Minty raised a brow and said. "That's a strong accent son Where are you from?" "Carolina My whole family grew up there." "Oh alright." Minty nodded.

Kristine butted in saying "I like the way you talk." Cal looked at the teenager and chuckled replying "Uh, thanks." Lightning looked at his sister and shook his head saying "That's a stupid thing ti say." Kristine only snapped with "Well your face is a stupid thing to look at." Cal looked at Lightning all wide eyed. "She's blunt." he said. Lightning snickered saying "You have no idea. Alright, let's do this! I'm so ready for this!" "Yeah, me to!" Agreed Cal. Kristine let out a long and deep, loud sigh. Sally caught it and asked "Think he has a cute accent?" Kristine smiled answering "I could listen to him talk all day.." Then realizing what she had said and who she had said it to! The young girl blushed and snapped "What?! NO! EWE! He's so lame and old. He could be like older step brother or something.. I'd totally play stuck step sister for him." "What?" "Nothing. God you are so annoying." Kristine griped at Sally. Chad heard that to though and gave Kristine a nasty little look.

Then one of the Dinico girls walked over carrying a box of snacks and asked of anyone would like anything. She was cute. Wearing what could be resembled as a revealing blue cheer outfit with the words Dinico in big white letters on her but. "Is it all free?" Asked Minty. The girl looked at Chad and flashed a white smile, flipping her wavy red and orange hair before answering towards him, "It is for you darlin." And winked at Chad. Chad blushed and smiled awkwardly as Minty glared at her son. "Haha.. They are with me." Chad admitted. Kristine took out a sucker and Sally a water before the Dinico girl walked away to give out snacks to other people. Cal and Lightning were both suited up and had helmets and into the race cars, darted off together to race a few friendly laps together, one on one for the fans. This was also the first time in a long time that Lightning's family got to see him on a real race track and with another real racer...

Once the two friends were done racing, they met with a few more fans and had some pictures taken with some while Sally, Chad, Kristine and Minty watched from the side. "Isn't he just the sweetest.." Complimented Kristine. Chad raised a brow asking "Who? Monty?" Kristine blushed and snapped "What? No. I meant Tex.. Donating all the money from this to the sick children.. Poor sick kids that are dying all the time.." Chad shook his head and ignored his sister. Lightning glanced at Sally as he smiled for a fan, standing next to Cal. He then waved her over saying "Come on. You're a part of this to." He reminded. Sally was surprised and shook her head. Cal then smiled and added. "Yeah, come on Sally. Get in on here." Sally blushed a little then walked over and stood with Lightning. Lightning wrapped his arm around his girl and the fan next to him, and Cal on the other side of the fan. It really was the first big racing picture Sally had had with Lightning and Cal to. Kristine bit her lips and asked "Think he likes role play?" Chad's brows lowered as he looked at his sister. "You are under eighteen." He reminded. "Besides, the guy is married." "That only makes me want him more." She replied. Minty glared and scolded "Stop it. I don't want to hear this Krissie." Kristine just stared and day dreamed a bit about Cal.

Once the last couple fan photos were done, Sally had to ask "Where's Megan? Thought she just traveled around with you?" Cal nodded and answered. "Usually yes, but this was a little short notice. Besides, I'm flying back tonight." "We should go out again sometime." Sally suggested. Cal nodded agreeing. "For sure! Well, Lightnin, this has been great! But don't think it'll be this easy for you once the season starts." Lightning chuckled with a smile. "I wouldn't want it to be Cal. Thanks for coming out." "Of course. See you later." As he turned to leave, Kristine stopped him and asked "Could I maybe have a photo with you?" Cal happily nodded answering "Sure. Anything for Lightning's sister." Kristine stood next to Cal, holding up her phone and placing her hand on his back saying "Say something dirty." "What?" Cal asked with a strange face then felt Kristine's hand on his ass. Needless to say, Cal made an odd facial expression in the photo...