Doc walked around the garage areas in search of Lightning. He would stop and ask a few people if they had seen him, but most everyone hadn't. Doc walked up to the 95 garage and walked in. There was Lightning. Sitting on the floor of the room and leaned up against the wall. Lightning looked up at Doc. Lightning's eyes were a glossy and red, his nose was all red to. This told Doc one of two things. Lightning was sick, or he was.. Crying. Doc shut the door and asked "Why did you skip qualifying?" Lightning looked really upset. Doc could tell he had been crying as he walked up a bit closer. Lightning sniffled answering "Sally and I got into it.. I had to talk to her instead of qualifying." Doc sighed then reminded "You'll be starting dead last." "I don't care." The kid snarled quietly. Doc thought for a second before asking "It's none of my business, but what was the fight about?" Lightning shrugged answering "I just.. I pushed Sally too far.. Now she doesn't know if... She says this might be it for us. If she'd just stop being stupid about all of this, things would be fine!" Lightning growled with slight anger. Doc snickered. "Sally is many things. Stupid is not one of them. Remember that lesson we had? About not letting emotions get the better of you during races?" Doc asked. Lightning glared asking "You can't be serious right now Doc?" "I am.. You need to control those emotions before tomorrow's race." "I will.. I'll talk to Sally again later.. I just... I needed to get away from her for a little bit." Admitted Lightning. Doc sighed saying "Women are difficult, but you and Sally love each other and I'm sure you too will make up." "I hope so.. I don't know what I'd do without her Doc? I mean we already live together.. What am I suppose to do with that!? And than there's Bandit.." Lightning said with a frown.
Doc chuckled a little saying "It'll work out, I'm sure. I'll go talk to her." "No, don't.. Please don't." Begged Lightning. Doc stared at the kid. The kid was really hurting right now and this was effecting his racing. It let Doc see a bit of a side of Lightning that he never really saw. The side that finally let pain get the better of him. This was only a glimpse of what was to come when Doc would pass. Doc hurt thinking about that. The kid was going to have to go through much worse than this and.. He was going to need Sally when that time came. "Okay.." Doc replied then left the garage before his own emotions got the better of him. Doc then walked to the trailer and knocked. He wanted to talk to Sally regardless what Lightning wished.
Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock.
Sally opened the trailer door. "Doc? Are you, are you looking for Lightning?" Sally looked worse than Lightning! "Um.. Yes.. What's wrong?" Doc asked. Sally wiped her face for what felt like the millionth time then answered "Nothing. Lightning and I had a little fight. He's not here though. Sorry." "It's alright, I'll find him later. He skipped qualifying." "I know.. I told him not to." "What happened?" Doc asked softly. Sally teared up. She began to cry again answering "I can't even really explain it, but.. I.." "Woah, woah.. are you two breaking up?" Sally shook her head, but also shrugged answering "I.. Part of me wants to.. I mean we are not that great for each other and we want different things. And Lightning can be so... Different sometimes. I just can't handle it." "What are you talking about?" Doc asked with a raised brow. Sally shook her head answering "I just have had the time to really evaluate our relationship and I don't know if there is much more to it. When I analyze his patterns and his focal point of what he wants when it comes to.. Things.. I just don't see our relationship moving forward any longer. We reached a peak. And now that we have, it's starting to blow up in our faces. I'm not.. It's not that I'm not happy, but Lightning can't be happy. I'm making him change into someone he isn't and that's not fair. But being with him makes me have to do things that I don't want to do and that's not fair. But I know there are plenty of women who would do anything to have him and I know there are men that don't treat women like he does." "What? Wait.. Are you saying he's treating you badly in the bed? Or that he's sleeping around on you?" Sally closed her eyes and took a deep breath before answering "I'm saying that we are two different people when it comes to.. Sex. We want different things Doc." "Oh." Doc was stumped. If this was about sex, there was really no way he could help them work it out. This was something they'd have to come to terms and agreements on, but he could say this. "When you love someone, you make sacrifices. Not just little ones either. Maybe talk to someone who's been married a while." "We aren't married. We don't need marriage advice." Sally corrected. Doc nodded explaining "I know that, but.. You need advice from someone who's been in a relationship with a single partner for a very long time in my opinion. Try to keep drama off the tracks Sally." "Excuse me?" Sally snarled. Doc sighed and explained. "Lightning can't have emotional distress during races. Do you understand that if he hits that wall or makes the wrong move or turns to sharp, he will crash and he will get hurt." "And then you'll blame me!?" "No.. But if you can help him not be so stressed before a race, that is your job as his partner. To keep him safe. Just as it's his job as well." Sally shook her head. She did not like Doc trying to put her into her place like that! It was not her responsibility! Without another word, Sally slammed the door in Doc's face. Doc sighed. That went well...
In time, Sally needed some air. So after cleaning her face up, she stepped out of the trailer and began to walk. She just needed a walk. Problem was, she'd have to be on guard for any reporters ready to jump her at any moment. She noticed though that a few reporters were talking to Josephine not too far in the distance. The red head was easy to spot in the crowd. She just stood out. Sally sighed. It wasn't that she wanted to look like Josephine. With her easy C, maybe D cup breasts and her rounded, bubble butt. Sally didn't look like that. Sally was so flat chested and basically had no ass. She was extremely tiny to the point you would think she was never eating meals. Sally sighed with a frown. The things Lightning liked were just not for her. Sure, he says he is willing to give all that up, but once some time had passed and they had began having sex again.. Would he be able to fight that urge in himself? Because Sally could always see it in his eyes. He liked the feeling. The control he could have over a woman and to take that away from him would probably not wind up a good thing. He would either eventually lose his mind and explode one of those times and be extremely rough! It scared Sally to think about what would possibly happen in that scenario. Or he would be unhappy.. And that was not okay. She couldn't live with him seeing that she wasn't satisfying his needs. She wished she could find a medium, but after what he had done last week, Sally didn't even want him to touch her. Should she break it up? Like she had told Doc, part of her wanted to. Lightning was just.. Too much for her.
Sally walked over to the different vendors inside the pits for the drivers and ordered herself a cold coffee with ice. She continued to walk and think about things. She had been with Lightning for years, but sometimes years have to come to an end. Sometimes things just don't work out and that's okay. They lived together though. She worried about that. She would have to leave. It was Lightning's house. He bought it and she was just the girlfriend. She could easily go back to living in one of her motel rooms until she had more money. Or she could go ahead and get a mortgage. Maybe. What about Bandit? Oh poor Bandit.. She'd get the dog right? I mean, Lightning did buy him for her. Sally's eyes teared up, but since she was in public, she kept the tears in. Trying to hold them back. It was just the thoughts of what might happen, what might become of the couple and what ifs that had Sally breaking apart right now...
It was late. Lightning returned to the trailer to find a note on the inside of the door.
I went ahead to our motel. See you later tonight. Love you.
-Sally
Lightning sighed as he removed the note. At least it didn't say anything bad. "I thought I might catch you out here." Josie. Lightning shut the trailer door and stared right at the red head. "You shouldn't have treated Sally like that." "Yeah, she's quite delicate that one." Josie said as she walked up closer to her ex boyfriend. Lightning frowned saying "I can't give you what you want." "I don't need you to, it's fine." Josie assured. The two stood there for a moment. A little awkwardly. Then Josie aked. "Is that what you like now? Someone who's fragile and tiny and.. More like a child than a woman?" "What? No. Don't say it like that. It's not her body I like, but her. She's an incredible woman. I mean I love her body, I do. She's... Firm.." Not the best way to describe your girlfriend, but okay. Josie snickered hearing this and asked "Do you miss me?" Lightning stared at Josie answering "Not... Not really. I did once. After we broke up, but not now. Please don't be like this." "Like what?" "Like all the other women. Leave then come back now that I'm happy and try to fuck with me. I hate girls like that. You are better than that so please.. Don't do this to me." Lightning begged. Josie sighed with a frown replying "I'm not Baby. I just.. After dinner last week, I wanted to talk to you again and.. I know you say you're happy, but.. I know you're happy.. I'm sorry." she apologized. Lightning stared at Josie. Thinking about it now. Giving up what he liked to do. What really turns him on and the fun of fully controlling a woman like he had so many times. It would never happen again with Sally where as with someone like Josie.. He could. He could and he could push Josie unlike Sally. Josie was a brat. A fun, playful, wild brat about it and basically teased him to the point he'd lose control of himself. Where as Sally was this flower that you had to be so gentle with or she'd fall apart and pushing her had caused.. Well.. This. The possible doom of their relationship.
Didn't matter. He didn't want Josie. He wanted Sally. "Well... If you change your mind.. I'll be around tomorrow. Can't wait to watch you race Baby. You've really become a great driver and you've made me proud. Really showed all of those old Dinico girls huh?" She giggled. Lightning smiled and nodded saying "Yeah, I guess so." Josie flashed him one last smile, then grabbed his shoulder, leaned in and kissed the side of his face before walking away quietly. Lightning sighed and looked at the note in his hand. Sally.. He really messed up and he really wanted to fix this...
Lightning got to the motel room where he used his key to open the door. It was quiet inside. He shut the door and locked it calling "Sally.. Sally, I'm here." Nothing. Lightning would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid that she might have just ran off and left back to Radiator Springs. Lightning made his way to the bedroom where he found Sally sitting on the bed in a fluffy, white robe and reading some book. "Hey." Lightning greeted as he leaned against the doorway. Sally set the book on the night stand then motioned for him to come over then patted the bed next to her. Lightning asked "You sure? I smell like motor oil and sweat." Sally only smiled nodding answering "Yeah, that's my favorite smell." Sarcasm at it's best there. Lightning snickered then walked around the other side of the bed and sat down next to his girl. Sally cuddled up against him as he wrapped an arm around her. "You okay?.." Lightning asked nervously. Sally swallowed loudly before answering "Yeah.. I've been thinking a lot though." "You have?..." Lightning asked quietly. Scared she would wind up breaking them up. Sally nodded against his chest answering "Yes and.. Well... I love you and I don't want to lose you." Lightning felt some relief there! "but I think we should take things slow for a while.." "Slow?" "Yeah.. Like.. No more sex.. Just for a while." She explained. "Maybe work our way back to that.. That or just sex. I don't want any foreplay." She added. Lightning sighed asking "Is that really what you want?" Sally hesitated. That hesitation wasn't a short, few seconds either. "Sally?" Lightning called. Sally shrugged answering "No, but.." She stared at his hand, his hands. "I just don't want you touching me.. Down there.." Man he really fucked up. Lightning nodded replying "Okay... Is.. Never mind." He stopped himself. Sally looked up at him saying "I don't think this is going to work though honestly.. When a couple stops having sex and they stop being intimate.. They stop loving each other.." She stated. Lightning hurt hearing that. Is that how she felt? That they were a lost cause now. Wow, that really stung.
"I don't believe that." Lightning replied. "We can make it through anything." He assured. Sally smiled saying "You really have changed throughout the years I've known you, haven't you?" Lightning shrugged, but come on. Obviously he had. Looking back, he use to be more laid back about this sort of thing. He use to want the sex first, love second. He use to judge and look at women. Now he was turning down models, MODELS for this single woman. He use to shiver and gag at the idea of marriage and now he was thinking about that white dress on her and wedding rings and seeing her all dressed up, the honey moon, the years to come and all that was falling apart because he tried one stupid thing! It wasn't fair to him in his eyes! He swore never to do it again! He threw out everything he was! Literally getting rid of the things he enjoyed sexually with Sally FOR SALLY! That's it! That's all it took! The mental thought of losing this woman and all of that being gone forever! Lightning broke down, began to cry, held onto Sally tighter than ever and begged "Please don't leave me.." His eyes teared up, the tears ran down his cheeks as he buried his face into her hair. Her amazing smelling hair, her natural scent that was the most alluring scent of all. "I love you and I won't do anything like what I have done again.. Please.." He sniffled, no, he then cried. Cried and whimpered, his chest vibrated from his pain and emotion. Sally never saw Lightning like this. Not that she could remember. Not this upset! Sally hugged him tightly. Her eyes tearing up as well. "I don't want this to be the end either Stickers.." She whelped. "Than don't let it be, please.." "I can't promise that." She then pulled away.
Lightning wiped his eyes, his face before replying "I can be the man you want, the man you need, okay? Just give me the chance." "Of course.." Sally sniffled. Lightning breathed heavily. Trying to calm down and relax. "Sorry.. I'm sorry.." He said as he looked away. Ashamed of crying like that and acting so.. Unmanly in front of Sally. Sally smiled some and lifted his face up, forcing him to look at her as she said "No, it's okay. It's good to know you're not all testosterone and a jerk sometimes." She joked. Lightning chuckled a little. He wanted to kiss her, but withheld that urge. He was afraid to push her in any direction at this point. "So.. Are we still on for dinner after the race tomorrow?" Lightning asked. Sally nodded and wiped her eyes. "Yes. Yes, of course. We aren't breaking up right now. We'll just.. See how things go okay?" Lightning then nodded. Sally then pushed him away a bit and teased by plugging her nose and saying "Now go shower! You smell like burnt oil and tar!" Lightning nodded saying "Oh no, no, no. I warned you and you said you like the smell. So I think I'll skip the shower and lay right here." He then made himself comfortable right next to her in bed. Sally's jaw dropped. "You shower or I will shove you out of this bed." Lightning snickered playfully "Go ahead and try." As he closed his eyes. Sally did. She pushed on his side and hip. Nothing. No way she was moving the beast out of the bed. "Dammit.." She growled. Lightning laughed then THUMP! She used a pillow to hit him! THUMP! "HEY!" THUMP! "OKAY! Stop!" THUMP! "I'm going! I'm going!" He said as he jumped off of the bed. Sally fluffed the pillow and placed it back on the bed. Lightning sighed and gazed at the woman he loved. "I really do love you Sally. I hope you know that. I love you more than anything else in this world." He assured. Sally just smiled and then softly replied "I love you to.." Lightning nodded then grabbed some clothes and headed to the bathroom...
Race day.
Lightning pulled the Bolt around and into the pits where Doc and his team were waiting. Lightning got out and set the helmet on the roof. Doc then adjusted his head set and asked "Pass inspection?" Lightning nodded answering "Yep. Like always though.' "Where's Sally?" Doc asked. Lightning frowned a little before answering "Oh uh.. She was tired.." "It's nearly one.." Doc pointed out. Lightning nodded. Doc sighed. Wow. These two really were having a rough time. "Well listen kid. I don't want you all worried and thinking about whatever is going on with you and Sally, okay?" "Yeah.. I got it Doc.." Lightning answered in a depressing way. Doc hated that. He just knew Lightning was going to let his emotions drive him today. They were already affecting him some. Then the red head walked up. "Hey, good luck today." Lightning's eyes widened. Doc and the team stared at the woman. Who was she? Lightning cleared his throat then asked "What... I thought you'd be in the stands." Josie smiled all cute like answering "I bought a pit pass silly!" Then she lifted the pass around her neck up and showed it off. "Oh.. How.. Great.." Lightning complimented in a sarcastic, but gentle way. Josie then winked saying "Win this one Baby." Before walking off. Doc and Lightning stared at each other, Lightning quickly explaining "So not what you think." "I don't even want to know. Just get lined up kid. Starting dead last today, so you're going to have a lot of ground to catch up." "I can do it Doc." "Oh I know you can, but let's give them a show Rookie." Doc winked. Lightning smiled replying "With pleasure." Then grabbed his helmet, put it on and hopped into the Bolt...
Lightning McQueen, placed 13th.
After signing a few autographs, getting a few photos taken, doing a few ' kachows' and then two statements and a few questions about the race from a reporter, Lightning drove the Bolt over to the garage. Car was giving a few troubles in the turns. Even with fresh tires, he was going to have to clean it up. After parking the Bolt there, he walked across to his trailer where he saw Sally standing outside waiting for him. He smiled upon seeing her. Just thankful she stayed with him. "Hey beautiful." He complimented as he walked up. Sally snickered replying "You did good in the race. Thirteenth is nothing to be ashamed of when you already have three cups." "I know that." He said as he stood in front of her. They stared at each other for a moment. Not sure what he was allowed to do or try without asking right now. Sally smiled asking "Are you going to shower before dinner?" Lightning nodded. "Yeah, I'll just use the showers here." "Okay. I saw you put the Bolt in the garage. Everything okay?" asked Sally. Lightning nodded explaining "Yeah, just had a few problems in my turns." "Ew.. Losing your touch there Stickers?" "Ha! Never." He laughed as he crossed his arms. Sally rolled her eyes then opened the trailer door to help Lightning grab some clothes, but then of course.. Josephine. "Hey, great race out there Lightning." The red head model complimented. Lightning and Sally both stared at her. It was starting to get old. Sally quickly asked "What are you doing here Josie?" With an angry expression. Josie cocked her head to the side a bit and corrected "It's Josephine, but.. I wanted to see Lightning off." Sally's brows lowered more. As if they could. "Well you've seen him, now go.. Please. We have a dinner to prepare for." She growled. Josie looked at Lightning and walked up to him asking "You let her speak that way to your friends?" Lightning looked over at Sally, back at Josie, back at Sally. Sally was pissed at the sight of Josie. Back at Josie, he answered "I don't control her." "I doubt you could." Josie giggled as she looked at sally. Sally was still glaring at her though. Lightning frowned. He liked Josie, but this side of Josie.. Ha had never saw this before and he didn't like it. He cleared his throat, getting Josie to look at him again then said "I made a mistake messaging you. We can't be friends Jos-Josephine." "..What?.. What are you talking about? Of course we're friends Baby." She said nervously. Lightning shook his head and explained "No.. No, we're .. We broke up and we moved on and this thing you're doing now. Coming over here and messing with my girlfriend is not okay." "But I knew you first." Josie defended. Lightning nodded continuing "Yeah, well.. Sally loved me first." "Are you serious right now? Oh I get it.. She's making you do this. She's one of those type of girls that get a little defensive around women that are.. More.. More independent and stronger than she is." That hurt Sally some there, but Lightning defended his girl. "No. No, Sally is the most independent woman I know. I mean she doesn't need me she's just honored me with the fact that she'll have me. Unlike you, I mean you're thirsty enough that you bought a freakin pit pass just to see me leave. That is extremely weird." Josie's jaw dropped. "It is not! It's like the only way I can see you." "Yeah, well.. Like I said I don't do long distance relationships." "So what's she!?" Josie yelled as she pointed at Sally.
Lightning glanced over at Sally before answering his ex saying ".. She's... Worth it." Josie glared saying "Really? Not trying to sound like a bitch here, but how in the hell does she handle your needs? I mean... Come on? That? She flinched at the smallest little thing earlier.." She reminded. Lightning stepped up into Josie's face and he just snapped! "That's enough Josephine! Sally is my girlfriend! I was happy remaining friends with you when you respected me, but now you come to my races and think just because you're easier than her that I'll give her up for you!? It's a good thing your dam pretty because you're not smart! Now don't ever come near me, my girlfriend, my trailer or garage again! Not here! Not any track! What we had is over! I do not want you again and I'm sorry I'm being mean, but I obviously have to put my foot down with you! Get lost!" Josie broke into tears. She broke into tears and ran away. Lightning sighed. He hated that. he hated doing that. Josephine was a smart and beautiful woman and he hated putting her down like that. Like.. really hated himself for doing that because Josephine did not deserve that. Lightning looked at Sally and sighed apologizing. "Sorry you had to see that.." Sally nodded. It was quiet for a moment. Not exactly awkward, just quiet. "So.. Shower and Dinner?..." She asked softly and reminded. Lightning nodded answering "Yeah. Dinner sounds really good right now..." And it did along with a strong drink. Some alone time. Just the two of them. They needed something like this right now more than ever probably. Sally smiled and walked into the trailer and grabbed out some clothes for her boyfriend then walked them to him and handed them to him. She kissed him on the cheek then said "I'll be waiting in the trailer." Lightning smiled back a little and watched her go in and close the door behind her. Lightning sighed and his smile faded. He wanted to apologize to Josie, but.. It was best not to he realized.
Sally leaned against the door after closing it. Thinking about after dinner. She.. She wanted to try having sex with him. Making love with him. Sure, he was.. Scary.. A different person last week, but.. He was still that caring and tender lover to. He swore no more rough sex. Still, Sally's heart beat hard and nervously inside her chest at the thought of even getting in that position with Lightning again. Her eyes teared up.. Her breathing became rapid.. She felt like she couldn't breathe! Like the walls of the trailer were closing in! Smashing down, coming down on her! It was intense! Too much! She closed her eyes and fell to the ground in a ball. Holding herself. If this is what happened at just the thought of sleeping with that rough, mean, awful, woman hating, emotionless side of Lightning.. Could she even look at him as the caring and gentle man he was sometimes?... That's when she really thought about it though. The why. why was Lightning into that sort of thing? Was there some deep secret? Was he abused? Did someone tell him he had to do those things? Was that something he was taught or something he took out on a first woman? Or was he just naturally a monster? She only knew of one person who might actually know... Well.. Two... Minty might... And Mollie.