Sally awoke and saw Lightning on the floor. Asleep. She sighed. Laying in the couch and remaining silent. Were they just to broken? Would they ever be okay? It seemed like they were okay in spurts. When things were good, they never lasted. Sally frowned and stared at her husband. Her eyes filling with tears. Her heart was broken. The way he yelled at her last night… The way he was so embarrassed and disappointed in her. She hated herself for trying that. She should have never talked to Bobby. Lightning awoke hearing her whimpers. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Looking over at Sally, he frowned. "You okay?.." He asked softly. Sally wiped her eyes and snapped, "Like you actually care." Lightning's brows lowered. He got up and folded the blanket he had. Tossing the pillow on the chair across the room. "Fine. Be that way." He snarled at her. He then walked into the bedroom and closed the door.
Sally sighed and lay there. Hurting so much. She hated herself. Her emotions were overloaded right now. He heart was in pieces at this point. She was so sorry, but was prideful right now. Of what? Why? Suddenly Lightning opened and walked out of the bedroom. Carrying a suitcase. Sally immediately asked rudely, "Where are you going?" "Home." "Our flight leaves tomorrow." Sally reminded. Lightning stopped and sighed. Thinking before turning and speaking to his wife. "Not that home. I'm going to Texas.." "Because I brought a woman to you?" Sally asked in a whimper. Lightning stared at Sally. He hated her right now. What was he suppose to do. If he stayed he'd just scream at her. "Fuck…" he groaned before taking a deep breath and admitting, "I'm so mad at you right now that if I stay another minute with you, I'm going to say something I'll regret… I… I can't… deal with this.. With you… I'll just… I'll just go back home to radiator springs for you.. But… Whatever. I'll just see you back home tomorrow sometime…" And like that… He left her….
Lightning walked down the garages. Walking past different racer's spots. He passed a couple that was having fun together. Just holding each other. Kissing all over each other. He kept on walking not wanting to look like a perveert. Where did the years go? He and Sally use to be all over each other. It was the some of the best times of his life. Why were those times long gone? Or so it felt that way. And Sally bringing another woman last weekend. That was ridiculous. Lightning dated that she did that. And talking to Bobby about their problems. Their personal problems. That really hurt him. But.. She was just trying after all. They hadn't talked much sense that event. Lightning just didn't know how to talk to Sally right now. After how he yelled at her.. That was harsh.. He knew better than that. Lightning just needed to relax, that's all this was. At least, that's how Lightning really felt...
Inside the Bolt, Lightning pulled out onto the race track for a few practice laps before tomorrows race. Pulling onto the straight away. Picking up speed and coming round the first turn, second turn, another straight away, third turn, fourth turn. Again and again. Gaining speed as he found his line and his rhythm. Lightning did about ten laps or so before coming around the third turn and feeling the Bolt pull towards the wall a little. He shifted gears and pushed the car. The passenger rear scraped the wall. Lightning pulled away from it, but not without some visible scratching. He pulled the race car into the pits where one of his fellow racers chuckled and joked, "Think you hit the wall a bit, McQueen." Lightning just hung his hand out the window and flipped his fellow racer off as he drive the Bolt by. Parking the car In his garage, Lightning got out to examine the damage. He tossed the helmet into the car then walked around and saw the bright silver under the paint near the passenger rear wheel. He sighed. The car was pulling. He knew it was weights. He needed to fix this soon or things could get rough out there and may actuality be difficult for him on the track. Lightning stepped outside his garage where press, mics, cameras jumped on him! "Will you really be breaking the 7 cup record this year?" One reporter asked. Lightning smiled into the cameras in his charming way as usual before answering, "Of course. I'm not only gonna break it, I promise I'm gonna make it unbreakable after this." "How?" Asked one of the reporters. Lightning snickered, "I'm Lightning McQueen for god's sake. Come on now, guys. Have a little faith in me." He then walked away. Press and reporters, cameras following him around a little bit…..
Sally sat in the waiting room of her doctors. Alone, as usual. After the little burst she and Lightning had last weekend though, she was fine going alone. Today, she discussed how she was doing coming off all of the fertility treatments and medications. Seeing how her body was adjusting to being normal again. "Sally." Called the nurse. Sally stood up with a smile and followed the Nurse tot he back. "This way and I'll get your weight." Sally stepped on the scale, it beeped and onto the room. Sally was use to the routine. She walked into the room and sat down, letting the nurse grab her vitals. "What are you here for today, Mrs. McQueen?" Asked the nurse. Sally sighed before answering, "I guess to discuss Lab results. See how things are going." "Great, Can you leave us a urine sample?" "We aren't trying anymore?… Do I really need to?" "I mean.. It's just a standard, you can refuse. That's up to you." The nurse explained. Sally sighed and stood up, "No, it's fine. I need to go anyway." Sally answered. The nurse escorted Sally to the patient restroom, where Sally left a sample then back to the room. Waiting for the doctor to come in. Sally grabbed out her phone. Pulling up RSN, seeing her husband all over the news feed. She sighed. She would have went with Lightning, but after that little shouting spell he had at her.. They hadn't talked much sense that. 'Knock, knock' The doctor walked in with a smile and asked, "How are you doing?" Sally put on a smile before answering, "Good. I mean.. Good." Lost her words there.
The doctor nodded and asked, "How do you feel you are adjusting? Think the depression and anxiety has went down?" Sally nodded. The doctor sat down and asked, "Have you spoke with your husband about these things? I know you said before you didn't want to and you two were going though some things.." "Yeah, well.. No. Lightning could not handle knowing I have bad anxiety and stuff right now." The doctor sighed and nodded. Trying to understand with the patient. The doctor woman then asked, "Well.. Of course I recommend talking to him, but not if you don't want to… But.. Labs. So, things look pretty good. A few things are still a little high. Somewhat expected. I'm going to take you off the anxiety medication for now and change your depression treatment to Zoloft." "Oh, okay. That bad?" "No, Sally. No, not at all, but…"…..
Lightning took another drink of the alcohol at the party. Bobby walked up and asked, "What you think?" Asking about his new place. Lightning sipped his drink, checking out the scenery of the party. Large pool a few feet from them, girls everywhere having fun and screaming as they played in the pool. People dancing to loud music and just all the people there having a great time. "It's nice. Who are all these people?" Asked the 95 driver. Bobby snickered with a shrug. Cal walked up and loudly said, "Think I might call it a night! It's like 2 am." Bobby chuckled and replied, "Come on party pooper! Have another drink and relax!" Cal looked around then said, "Nah. I'm gonna get back to my wife. See y'all at the next race." Smiling and heading out. Bobby waved Cal goodbye then looked at Lightning and asked "How are you doing there tipsy?"
Lightning swayed a bit as he stood. He looked at Bobby answering, "Fine. Why?" "How many drinks have you had man?" Bobby asked. Lighting glanced down at his alcohol, drank the rest in a quick chug then crushed the cup before answering "I lost count." Bobby chuckled then asked, "You ain't still mad at me for talking to Sally are you?" Lightning laughed, "Nah.. Kind of blew my chances there. I mean she would have hated it, but she was going to let me fuck some random person with her." "Woman. Not person. Don't say person. Sounds gay." "Whatever man." Lightning replied. Bobby snickered at the way Lightning was already a bit drunk. "Glad you're not mad." He said. Lightning just nodded with a smile. "Where is the Mrs. anyway?" Asked Bobby. Lightning shrugged then shook his head a bit before answering, "Home. Just a few hours out…" "oh okay. Crashing here for the night I'm guessing by the way you look." "Sure, but yeah. Yeah, probably."
Jesse then came up and tapped Bobby on the shoulder and asked, "We have a slight situation upstairs. One of your drunk friends decided it would be funny to throw the statue we bought from that casino over the railings and it's shattered everywhere. Someone is going to get hurt." Bobby nodded saying, "Relax, baby. I'll go take care of it. Light, you good?" He asked his racing companion. Lightning swayed a little before giggling, "Yeah, yeah. I'm great." Jesse raised a brow and asked "You sure he's okay?" Bobby nodded, brushing it off with, "Yeah, he's just drunk. Come on." He began to leave when suddenly a loud splash made him turn around. Lightning fell into the pool. A few people gasped. Some cheered him on. Bobby stood there a sec.
Lightning could feel the bottom of the pool. The music above muffled, the pressure in his chest bursting.
Bobby stood there and shouted, "Come on, you made a funny. Haha. Get back up here!"
Lightning could hear Bobby, but… It was peaceful. Sitting on the bottom of the pool. Rather floating below, weightless. His body instinctively gasped in though and his lungs burned as they filled with water. Everything was so slow motion. He didn't struggle much, just let the water consume him. Maybe dying wasn't so bad. Maybe letting go wouldn't hurt so bad. He was wrong though. It felt like burning and pain! It felt as if his insides of his chest were about to explode… But the alcohol made it easier to handle.
Jesse grabbed Bobby's arm and muttered, "He's not coming up." Bobby's brows lowered, "Fuck." He growled as he took off his shirt then jumped into the pool after Lightning. He swam down, grabbed his friend and pushed him up to the pavement surrounding the pool. And suddenly everything in time rushed back! Lightning rolled over onto his hands and knees and coughed hard! Water came out some with each cough. Jesse knelt down and patted Lightning's back as Bobby got out the pool. Lightning coughed a bit more before looking up at Bobby. Vision blurry. Heart beat hard. So hard he could feel it in his throat. "You okay?" Bobby asked. Lightning sat up and patted his chest a bit before choking slightly as he answered, "Yeah… I…" he coughed again. "I'm tired.." he barely got out. Bobby nodded and helped Lightning up.
Taking his friend into the house and to the guest bedroom to the bed. Lightning sat down on the bed. Soaking wet. Bobby went to the bathroom and grabbed a towel, tossing it to Lightning. He didn't catch it though, it just smacked him in the face. "Sorry." Bobby apologized. Lightning took the towel and wiped his face. Realizing he was soaking the bed, he stood up. Woozy like, but stood. Bobby then asked, "I know you're not that drunk. Why didn't you come up?" Lightning stared at his friend a moment before answering, "I… I don't know. I just… Felt… I don't know, Bobby." Bobby crossed his arms and asked, "Were you going to let yourself drown?" "What? No.." "You sure!?" Bobby snapped. Lightning stared at his friend. Was he going to let himself drown? "No, Bobby. I just.. I'm tired…" Lightning said. Bobby didn't feel right about something.
Bobby lay a hand on Lightning's shoulder and reminded him that he could talk to him about anything. Lightning nodded, "I know…" "Sleep in. I'll call Sally and let her know you stayed the night with me." Bobby announced before walking towards the door. Lightning sighed and added, "She's going to think I stayed here to cheat… I better just go home.." "What!? You can't drive in this condition!" "I'll get a cab." "Hell no. I'll take you if you have to go. Like you said, it's only a few hours." "You've been drinking to, Bobby…" Lightning reminded. Bobby sighed then nodded, "Fine. You're right. Jesse can take you. I know she won't mind. No choice, Light. Jesse can just stay with you two for a bit then. Deal with it." Then walked out the door. Lightning knew that Bobby was only looking out for him, but he felt like such a burden. But why didn't he come up? Why did he let himself do that? Would he have let himself drown? Sure, sometimes he still felt like he wanted to die, but not really. Right?….
Lightning woke up with a huge headache and his lungs on fire, his throat sore. He sat up in bed and looked around. Remembering some of last night. He sighed and rubbed his head. God it hurt. He got up, walked to the bathroom for a piss, walked out and put on a shirt before heading to the kitchen in his lounge wear. He walked in to find Sally sipping coffee and working on her laptop. She looked up at her husband and asked, "Rough night?" Lightning rubbed his eyes before answering, "Kind of…" his voice hoarse sounding. Sally frowned and asked, "You okay? Bobby told me what happened. Jesse said you were pretty drunk." Lightning rubbed his neck as he answered, "I feel like I got kicked by a horse, but other wise I'm fine." "Okay… You'd tell me if… Anything was so bad that… You'd… Hurt yourself… Right?" She asked gently. Lightning immediately responded, "Yeah, of course. The pool thing was an accident. I'm fine." "Okay… I love you." "Love you." "I'll make you some coffee." Sally said with a smile. Lightning smiled, "Thanks, that would be great."
Sally quickly made him a cup and handed it over to her husband as he sat at the table. Sally sat back down with him and asked, "What's bothering you?" "Um…" "Look, I'm sorry for what I did with that woman. I shouldn't have done that. I honestly didn't think you'd be so mad about it though." "I'm not mad… Not really… I was… Just… I know you did not want that and I hated that I made you feel like you had to do that for me. I don't want that, Sally. I don't want to do the things I use to. I gave that up and I'd like to think I've grown up a lot in that area. I only want you. And I definitely don't want to share you." "Really?" "Really." Lightning reassured. "But.." He continued, "This no talking thing every time we get mad at each other.. It's got to stop.. It's me… I know.. I have to learn to talk to you and not be so angry all the time. I hate it so much.. It hurts not talking to you." "Really?" "Really." He reassured again.
Sally sighed with a smile. Gazing at her husband a moment before frowning. Lightning noticed and asked, "What's wrong?" "Oh… Well… um…" she was hiding something. "Stickers… I…" she paused again. This of course only worried Lightning more. He grabbed Sally's hand, she could feel his worry in his touch. Crap. Sally sighed before saying "okay. I"-Lightning suddenly covered his mouth and ran to the nearest trash can. Vomiting what seemed to be his very guts out. Sally worried about him. He needed to cut back on the drinking. At least she avoided what she was hiding for now…
Lightning parked his corvette near Willy's butte track where he and Sally got out and decided to walk the track together on this cool evening.
The couple walked side by side up the track. Sally starting with, "I'm glad you agreed to walk with me today." Lightning smiled, "Of course. Kind of nice to get outside for a bit." "What happened yesterday was bad, Lightning. Bobby told me you almost drowned." "He's exaggerating." Lightning growled. Sally's brows lowered, "He had to pull you out. Lightning… What's going on?" She asked as they walked.
Lightning was silent for a moment. Thinking maybe. "Sal… I've told you. I'm just "-"Tired… Yeah, I know.." Sally said with such disappointment. Lightning frowned. He didn't know what else to say. He didn't know what was going on really either. The couple continued to walk down the track. Both rather silent. Sally looked at her husband and began, "There is something I should talk to you about." Lightning glanced at her then forward as they walked. Sally sighed, "Um… So I uh.. I went to the doctor. My doctor to check up on the hormones and stuff sense coming off all of the treatments." "Everything okay?" "Mostly. She said some levels were still a little high and she wants to look more into that." Sally explained. Lightning nodded asking, "Is that all?" Sally frowned before continuing, "Um…" she stared at her husband and hesitated before saying, "Yeah, that's uh… That's it really…"
Lightning stared at Sally. She was hiding something. Was this the thing Carson mentioned? How she was hiding things from him. It made Lightning feel bad. Sally feeling like she had to hide things, brining other women onto their lives. Oh god.. He really hoped she didn't talk to Carson about that one. Sally stopped and took Lightning's hand in hers which stopped him. She looked up into his eyes and said, "I love you." Lightning smiled at his love and replied, "I love you to…. And I hope… One day… You won't feel the need to hide things and try things that we both know you are not comfortable with for my sake. I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy. Okay?" He meant that too. Sally nodded and hugged him. Lightning wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead so sweetly. Taking her embrace in and enjoying this peaceful moment with his wife….
Lightning pulled the Bolt into his pits with Bobby behind him. Bobby jumped out and slapped the back of Lightning's race car before taking his helmet off. Lightning crawled out and took off his own helmet before speaking, "Great practice run out there, Bobby." Bobby snickered and tossed his helmet to one of his crew members. "Swift never disappoints." He said proudly. Lightning rolled his eyes then as the two walked to the garages, Lightning asked, "Why did you talk to Sally about the threesome?" Bobby sighed, "You should have seen her. She was begging to know what sort of stuff we talk about. Asking if there was something she could do to help you get a spark between the two of you back." Lightning jumped in front of Bobby, stopping them both in their tracks, "Why a threesome. You could have told her anything. Why that!? She brought another woman. Do u know that?" He asked.
Bobby crossed his arms and snarled, "First off, yes. Because you told me while you were drunk. You also told me you blew your chances with it and sounds to me, like you wished you did fuck the both of them. Secondly, you should be thanking me. You told me how good it was with the sisters and how you had day dreams of Sally fucking another woman with you." Lightning motioned for Bobby to quiet down before he replied, "Day dreams… I don't actually want Sally to do those things. She's to innocent and perfect. I'm not ruining that." "Too late for that one." Bobby growled. Lightning rubbed his eyes and continued, "Please.. Just.. Do me a favor and if Sally ever talks to you, stay out of it. Don't say anything to her and don't give her advice…" "Fine. Ain't my fault you ain't doin it for her anymore though."
"She said that?" Asked Lightning. Bobby glared at Lightning before answering, "Not exactly. But why else would she come to me for sex advice?" Lightning frowned and had no idea. It wasn't like Sally. She knew that Bobby was the worse for anything that dealt with a relationship. Why did she? "Start fucking your wife, Man." Bobby snarled before shoving Lightning out of the way. Lightning watched Bobby walk. Why was Bobby mad at him? He's the one that gave the bad advice! Lightning rolled his eyes and moved on to his own trailer to work on some things for the race….
"And Bobby Swift takes the win for the day!"
"What a great win from Bobby!"
"Cal taking second and in third we have Lightning McQueen!!!"
Lightning made his way to the medic tent. "Hello?" He called. It seemed empty. Suddenly someone walked up behind him which made him jump! "Mr. McQueen." The woman said. "Everything okay?" She asked. Lightning frowned a bit then asked, "Can I get weighed? I used my scale, but… No way it's right. I need to know for sure." "Um, oh. Okay, sure. Right this way." She then escorted the racer to the scale where he stepped up and it beeped a few times before reading. 120. Lightning sighed. "How did I lose more weight?…" he whined. The doctor looked at the number then asked, "Is there anything else going on?" Lightning stared at her a moment. Thinking before answering, "Not really. I'm more tired I guess. But that's normal, right?" "Like a nap here and there tired or?…" "Like it's affecting everything in my life tired and… I get… These… Pains…." He then grabbed his old shot wound.
The doctor frowned a bit then patted the exam table. Lightning sat up there and the doctor lifted his shirt. Looking at his scars. "I mean it looks great. Barely can tell it's there anymore. What are the pains like?" She asked. Lightning put his shirt back down before answering, "Sharp. Sudden stabbing pain." "Hmm. At random?" "Yeah.." "How many hours of sleep are you getting?" "Um…" Lightning had to think a moment. "When I do sleep, I always oversleep or wind up napping in the day. I'd say at least fourteen to eighteen hours…" The doctor nodded then asked, "How much alcohol are you drinking?" "What? Um…. The usual, I guess." "Maybe cut the alcohol out of your diet. Sometimes it can cause you to feel tired even with the best hours of sleep. How are your medications?" The doctor asked.
Lightning shrugged, "I'm only taking the anti depressant when I need it." "Oh… Um… alright. Nothing else?" She asked. Lightning shook his head then mentioned, "It's… Starting to affect my emotions and my relationship with my wife." "Irritable easy?" She asked. Lightning nodded. The doctor sighed and continued, "irritable, Not eating well, sleeping too much, not taking medications like you should… I'd like to send you to a mental health specialist. Sounds like you're still depressed." "What? No. I don't need a mental doctor. I just need…" He stopped because he didn't know what he needed really. The doctor sighed and continued, "You are depressed. It's okay. As for the pain, I'm gonna send you in to get an ultra sound and maybe an x ray. Okay?" She smiled. Lightning nodded and hopped off the table as the doctor added, "I'll have you an appointment scheduled and see you next week after the race. Okay?" Lightning just nodded" the doctor handed him orders and instructed Lightning to see the radiologist before next week's race. Lightning agreed before heading out….
"And here comes McQueen down the third turn." "It's gonna be close! Looks like Cal Weathers is right on his ass!"
Lightning came around the third turn when he felt the back end of his car turn more than he wanted towards the wall. Cal coming up the outside, The corner of Lightning's car met Cal's fender enough that Cal backed off. Lightning's car swiveled back and fourth a little, but not enough to throw him off track or anything.
"Here they come down the stretch! And Lightning McQueen takes the win!" Fans and crews cheered for the racer. The winner and the fellow drivers.
Lightning was taking in the attention of the cameras when Cal walked up and snapped, "What was that, McQueen?" Lightning aged goodbye to the fans and press and placed an arm around Cal as they walked towards the garages and trailers. "Cal.. I did not mean for that." "Really? Pretty dirty move. I could have made you fish tail!" Cal whined with worry. Lightning nodded saying, "I mean it. I didn't! The Bolt keeps turning weird ever sense I've lost some.. Weights on the car.." He lied, not wanting his friend to worry. Cal shoved Lightning's arm off his shoulders and snapped, "Well put them back on, McQueen. Before you cause a wreck or somethin'." Cal walked away and up to his wife who was waiting near their trailer. Lightning sighed. Yeah, something was going to have to be done…..
Lightning made his way to the medic tent, again. He sighed as he entered the tent. The doctor looked over at him and smiled as she asked, "How are you doing, McQueen?" Lightning shrugged, "Better." "Alright. I got the images you had done. Honestly, everything looks great in there. I don't know what the pains are coming from. Are you eating anything different? Trying a new diet?" She asked. Lightning shook his head answering, "No, not at all. If anything, I'm eating less." "Hmmm… Well, there we no obstruction, no blockage, no clots, nothing. I mean, there was some scar tissue, but.. That shouldn't be causing the type of pain you are describing." Lightning sighed. The doctor then handed Lightning a new prescription bottle, already filled. "Anti depressants that are a little better than what you were taking and approved by the board. Also,"
She handed him another pill bottle. "This should help with weight. Slows down a few things and helps the body absorbing certain things from meals. Take it before each meal. Again, approved. And then these for the anxiety and panic attacks." She handed him another. Lightning stared at the three bottles and asked, "Why? I didn't;t say anything about"-"Your wife told me. Can't have you panicking out there on the track. The president ordered you be put on them in order to drive." Lightning sighed. Staring at these pills. He was tired of needing medications. "And lastly a few vitamins for energy and a good mood." She handed him two more pill bottles. Lightning hated this. He just wanted to be happy and healthy again.
The doctor gave Lightning a card that had a date, time, and place on it. "Mental health. Honestly, I feel like you should have been seeing them a long time ago, Lightning. Start seeing them. They can help you better yourself and your mental state, okay?" She said. Lightning just nodded, leaving with the ridiculous amount of pill bottles. Five. Five bottles. He was finally down to just one and now he was back at it again it seemed. He sighed.
The doctor quickly rushed out and reminded, "No alcohol with these. I have to make sure you understand that, okay?" "Right. No more drinking." "At all." "Got it." "Okay, I'll check in with you next week." She said with a smile before returning into the tent. Lightning sighed. Walking to his trailer and tossing the bottles onto his couch. He plopped down next to the bottled and leaned his head back. Glaring at the pills. He grabbed one of the bottles and read over it. The Anti depressants. He growled in frustration and threw it across the trailer in anger!…..