Chapter 3: Lightning's Advice

Chloe took a deep breath as she neared the town limits of Radiator Springs. I know I can't tell him about the name of it, she thought to herself, but I just need his opinion.

When she finally reached town everyone gave her a warm welcome.

"Great to see you Clarice, you look great" Lizzie said.

"Thanks Lizzie, you look great too, and it's Chloe." She said politely. "Anyway, where's Lightning?"

"He's sleeping in from a night of tractor tipping with Mater." Sheriff said.

"Again?"

"Well, he has been keeping a close eye on Mater since that whole spy thing." Ramone said.

"I understand I'll just wait until he wakes up."

"You don't have to wait long." Sally said.

Lightning's garage door opened with him yawning.

"Hey everyone, hey Chloe… Chloe, when did you get here?!"

"A few minutes ago, anyway I'm not staying here for long, just overnight to catch a flight for a new job."

"Really, I didn't know you had a new job, what made you quit your old one?"

"Well, that's what I wanted to talk about."

"What about the job?"

"Well, could we talk privately?"

The other cars got the message and drove away while Chloe and Lightning went into his room.

"Well, I didn't exactly quit as rather being let go for being 'overqualified', and I didn't really mind that job, I just didn't feel right at it."

"I can understand that being in a cubicle can be pretty boring." Lightning said sympathetically. "Still, you can take it easy now."

"I don't want to take it easy; I want to have a job that I'm passionate about."

"You feel this job is right for you?"

"I'm sure of it; I've never felt a passion like this."

"Chloe, look, before I give you my blessing, I want to know what's the job about?"

"Just traveling the world, photography, and a little bit of reporting. I'm going to be an anonymous travel columnist."

"Really, I thought that you would critique movies instead."

"There are enough critics in the world to do that."

Lightning laughed. "Good point, anyway, what are your cover name and the magazine you're going to be writing for?"

"I told you it's anonymous, so I don't want a big celebrity like you blowing my cover."

"Alright then, I just don't want you to get hurt."

"I know that, I feel the same way whenever you're racing and when… you know."

Lightning was silent for a few moments, and then he said. "I can understand, mom and dad were like that when I visited them. But through all that, I wasn't even thinking of myself, I was thinking of Mater.

"When I had that fight with him and after I saw his letter, I didn't think for one second that he was putting his life in danger just for me. It was the closest that I had ever gotten since Doc to lose someone close to me. This wasn't just dying of old age, this was Mater nearly being killed by bad guys by being tied up in a clock and almost falling to his death and having a bomb strapped to him. I would've never forgiven myself if he died at my expense and anger. He's always been there for me no matter what and to think that the words 'I don't need your help' would've almost been the last Mater heard from me is just so…so…"

Lightning finally broke down and cried.

"It's alright Lightning, it's alright." Chloe said as she hugged him.

"Thanks, it's just stressful 'sniff' to think about that."

"He's fine now, and he forgives you."

"I know, anyway, this is about you sis. If you feel that this is the job for you then you go and do the best you can, of course I know you will."

"Thanks, like you on the racetrack, I won't quit until the end."

They both hugged and Chloe went to her own Cozy Cone.

Now Chloe was more confused than ever. She saw how still torn up Lightning was with Mater's incident, and she couldn't imagine how he would feel if Chloe was a secret agent full time.

Then she remembered about him saying to never give up and how she could handle him in those races.

I'll have to keep it a secret as long as I can, she said to herself, and do my best.

Later at around 2 in the morning Chloe left, after kissing Lightning on his cheek. She went straight to the airport and found a private plane looking around.

"This is it." Chloe took a deep breath and said a coded phrase 'Diesel is easier.' To the plane

"But steam is more fun, hurry and climb aboard." The plane said.

Chloe climbed on and looked out of her window as they took off.

"I just hope I can make it." Chloe thought to herself and drifted off to sleep.

From there began her training. I can't tell you about it because that type of stuff is classified, but I'll tell you about her first mission in the next chapter. Until then, wish Chloe the best!