If anyone had ever told Sally she would see Lightning McQueen and Jackson Storm standing in close proximity without threatening to kill the other she would have laughed in their face. She was glad she'd never put money on it, though, as she watched the two both standing near the newly repainted 'Rust-eze' Next Gen.
Their stances mirrored each other, somewhat at least, and she wondered if that was just a Piston driver thing. That arms crossed and leaning back posture. She didn't want to stare but it was still strange to see them being amiable toward each other. Especially when she saw them both laugh over something before Lightning put a headphone to his ear briefly, apparently listening for any updates on their timetable.
Whatever had happened in the last week, she was going to need the full story, every detail down to the last muttered comment and seemingly insignificant bit of body language. Her skill as a lawyer had given her an edge when it came to reading and dealing with people, and she'd always prided herself on figuring out what made them tick. Something drastic had to have happened, she just couldn't think of what it might have been.
Jackson still seemed a little aloof but he was definitely not the rival they'd faced the year before, not when every now and then he'd actually crack a smile, a real smile. Stranger yet, he was actually listening to whatever Lightning had to say. They must have been looking over the car, they both had their attention drawn there and now and then someone would point. At what she didn't know, that seemed to be another Piston thing. Someone was always pointing at something on the cars.
"I'm going to point this out, it's a tire, and aside from the brand and size has no significance to anything whatsoever but from a distance I look like I know what I'm-" She stopped her narration, knowing that she had no idea what they did and didn't know, that wasn't really fair to them, but it was fun to do when she was bored.
Sally went back to her silent scrutiny of the two drivers. How in the course of two years time, had things changed so much? She used to think Lightning looked flashy, with his bright red jacket and expensive licensed sunglasses. When he'd shown up in Radiator Springs she'd found the glamour a little over the top. Now though, compared to these new drivers, the style paled in comparison.
That was definitely a Piston thing. Bigger, brighter, shinier, faster, more expensive and definitely more glamorous.
If there was one thing she'd learned about this sport was that when it decided to move on, it moved on, no matter who or what it might leave behind.
It made her feel old, she wasn't old was she? That was a scary thought. Comparing the two as they waited for word from officials, the age gap was apparent. Lightning wasn't really that much older but they were two different generations. From their hair styles, to their suits, even down to the shoes they wore, Sally could spot the differences.
Lightning had told her before he left for that week of training, what Cal had told him. Maybe it really was time to step back and let the new kids move in.
Drivers were called back to their cars, it had taken longer than anticipated and the spotlights on the infield backlit drivers and crews as they set back to work. Lightning had climbed back up in to the pit box and got himself situated. This certainly wasn't what he'd expected, but even as the new #95 left pit row and he took in the view from up above everyone else, a strange feeling of... well he couldn't even find the right word as he mulled it over.
That feeling, whatever it was, deserved a better word than, right.
But it did, it felt right.
He took a deep breath, eyes fixed on the field as they came around for the restart.
Is this what it felt like? Did Doc feel this way at the tiebreaker race so many years ago? Did he secretly hesitate because the newer cars made him feel obsolete or had he just jumped in to the role without a second thought, because he was The Fabulous Hudson Hornet and Piston Cup would just have to make room for him once more.
Racing wasn't the best part of his life.
With Jackson suddenly racing for #95 and not against #95, Lightning had no real concerns over the kid not taking the field. He was good, the previous season had shown him that and now that Lightning found himself watching from the box, he wasn't sure what his response to Sterling would be after the race.
Jackson Storm was a powerhouse, this race was practically decided already and racing under #95 meant the Lightning would still technically win.
But what if he didn't want to drive anymore? What if this was the next chapter?
"Yo, are you watching from over there? Or am I running the rest of this solo?"
He was shaken from his thoughts and directed his attention back to the track, that would have to wait anyway. Jackson had a race to finish.
"Jackson Storm back in first place, and I know it's been mentioned a number of times already but I think the Rust-eze logo looks good on that car."
"We're putting the cart before the horse there, Bob." Darrell for once was the one to reel them in. "I think everyone's been taken by surprise with this move but it's more than likely just the one race."
"You're right of course there, but stranger things have happened."
Smokey couldn't help but shake his head with a faint grin from where he stood near the radio.
AN: Less than a week and I can get Cars 3 on DVD! I am sooooo hyped! :D