Lightning shifted again as he came to the peak of the turn, hoping he could gain some speed coming down. Suddenly as he turned coming out, he felt that rear swing on him slightly! He panicked and tried to grip the wheel! Slamming breaks! He down shifted and the car revved loudly! Trying to drift the car back into line! His eyes widened as the rear swung around hard out of his control and he knew what was about to happen.
BAM!
The nurse stood by Lightning's bed with Sally and the crew next to her. She looked at Sally and frowned. Shaking her head. Sally's eyes filled with tears. Lightning stared at them. He didn't understand. He sat up and reached for her, but Sally turned away and nestled into Ben's chest! "Sally, I'm right here!" Lightning shouted. But Ben brushed her hair as she cried into his chest and arms. Lightning didn't understand. The nurse then announced, "I'm sorry.. There's nothing we can do." Lightning ripped the Ivs out and jumped out of bed, wearing his 95 race suit. "Sally!" He shouted and tried grabbing her arm, but Ben pulled her away and said, "Come on… Let's go…" Taking her out of the room! "Sally!" Lightning shouted and took a step, falling through the floor!
"Aah!" He screamed as he fell through the floor then hit some more floor! Thud! Right on his face. He sat up on his knees, looking at Sally's shoes. He looked up to see her holding hands with Ben! "Stop!" Lightning shouted! She looked down and glared at him saying, "But you're dead to me." Lightning shook his head and panicked! Tears gathering in his eyes! "I'm right here!" He shouted at her. But she looked at Ben. Gazing into his eyes. Leaning in to kiss him! "No!" Lightning shouted! He reached for her but then she was so far away suddenly! Lightning got up and tried to go to her but was stopped by what was like chains in his arms! He looked back to see the Ivs in his arms.
Chained down to the hospital bed. The doctor looking at him, shaking his head. "You need to go back to sleep." The doctor said. Holding an injection up. Lightning panicked! "No! No! I have to stop her!" He explained! He looked back to Sally but she was gone! "Sally!" He screamed then suddenly he felt someone behind him tap his shoulder. Lightning turned around and Ben smiled at him. "I'll take care of her." Then punched him right in the chest! Everything felt slow motion as Lightning fell to the floor! Sterling explaining, "Your racing career is coming to an end.." Jackson laughing and asking, "Where'd all your friends go?" The announcer shouting, "McQueen is fading! Fading fast!" Sally frowned and said, "He was just there.. I thought you were dead." Jackson laughing! The young racers at the training center laughing at him! Sally looked away. Turning her back to him!
Lightning fell and hit his back against the ground! The sound of him hitting the floor echoed. He felt dizzy. He blinked a bit slowly. Looking up. Was he in a hole? Above him, Sally was crying into Ben's arms. "He will be missed. I'm so sorry for your loss.." A man in a suit said to Sally. She wiped her eyes. Crying in her black dress. Lightning realized he was in the ground. Ben tossing the dirt over him. Lightning closed his eyes. Giving up. "Sally…I'm…. Here…" He muttered before taking once last breath. Accepting his death. Ben whispering into his ear, "You left her to go off racing.." Lightning opened his eyes. He was suddenly tied up and sitting in an old wooden chair in the dark.
Ben walked around him. "I'm going to take back what was mine." Ben snarled. Lightning's brows lowered, "No!" "It felt so good fucking her.. Being inside her again.." "Stop!" "And the way she tasted… Just divine. She was begging me to knock her up. Just beggin me to get inside her.." "No! She wouldn't do that!" Lightning shouted as he fought the restraints! Ben snickered and looked Lightning in the eyes, face to face, "But she did.. The one person you trusted with everything. And she wanted more and more of me.." "Stop! Get out of my head!" "She wrote you off!" "No!" "She didn't care what happened! She marked you off the list and already started sleeping around on you, kid!" "I said stop!" Lightning screamed!
Sally then walked up and grabbed Ben's hand, smiling at him. Lightning froze. Seeing her. "Come on.. He's not going to make it anyway.." She said. Lightning shook his head. Tears running down his face. The doctor then appeared behind him. He had an injection. Lightning looked to Sally but she was leaving with Ben! "Sally! I'm still alive! Please! Don't do this!" But she was leaving… With Ben! "No! Don't leave me! Please!" He begged!
Then he heard Sterling chuckle and say "Come on, Lightning… Your days are coming to an end.." Cruz then appeared and said, "Based on your file, you can become pretty emotional.." Lightning stared at her. "Cruz?" He questioned. Then he felt the injection in his neck! Ben leaned over onto Lightning's ear and said, "Face it, Lightning… You left her to go racing.. She's mine now." "No… No!.. Sally! I'm sorry!.. Don't leave me here! I'm still here!" Lightning closed his eyes and screamed!l for her! "Sally!!!"
Suddenly he opened his eyes and was home? Lightning stood at the entry way of the home. He looked around. Everything seemed. Normal. "Sally?.." He called. He heard something fall in a room down the hall. He followed the sound. Walking into the bedroom to see Sally cuddled up with Ben on the bed. "Sally…" He called. Sally got up out of bed and walked across the room to the crib. Gettin the baby.. Ben's baby. Lightning frowned. Feeling defeated. Ben then walked up to Lightning and said proudly, "He looks just like me, don't you think?" Lightning felt dizzy. He was going to pass out! Sally looked over at Lightning. Holding the baby. She cocked her head and asked, "What's wrong?" But her voice.. It didn't sound like her. She sounded demonic almost. Lightning shook his head, his breathing quickened and he finally admitted, "I thought I could do this… I… I'm sorry.. I can't.. I can't do this."
Lightning suddenly opened his eyes and sat up on the couch. Breathing heavily. His chest hurt. His breathing. Oh no. He knew this feeling! He grabbed at his chest. Panicking. Barely able to breathe! His panic woke Cruz. She sat up from bed and stared. "Mr. McQueen?" She questioned. When he looked over, she saw the panic in his eyes! Cruz instantly jumped out of the bed and ran to him! Jumping in front of him on the couch! "Mr. McQueen! What's wrong!?" She asked. Lightning just breathed heavier and heavier. Faster and faster! "Mr. McQueen, you're having a panic attack!" She screamed at him! He was gone. Panicking. "Hold on!" She shouted!
Cruz ran to the bathroom and grabbed a wet rag. Rubbing back she placed it around his neck! "Look at me!" She ordered! He did. But his breathing. Cruz looked around and said, "What's that!?" Pointing to the bed. Lightning looked over answering, "Bed." "And that!" She pointed to the ceiling. "Ceiling." "What's my name?!" "Cruz…" "um…" She continued. Running over to the bathroom again and grabbing air freshener and spraying it in between them. "What's it smell like!?" She yelled! Lightning took a deep breath, "Mountain breeze? Perfume .. Leaves?" He questioned. But he was calming down. Cruz grabbed his face. Smiling as she sighed with relief. "You're back. You're okay." She assured. Then hugged him.
Lightning was breathing heavy still but… He was okay. He wrapped his arms around Cruz. Thankful for her and her training. She knew what to do. Cruz hugged him tightly as his breathing began to normalize. Worried about him. Hugging him. Feeling his body in hers. His breathing against her. She closed her eyes and embraced him. Worried for him. Smoky then ran in with a bat! "I heard screaming! Did the raccoons get in again!?" He asked! Cruz's eyes widened! "Raccoons!?" She yelped! Lightning stood up and cleared his throat before answering, "No.. I just… I…" Smoky lowered the bat. Staring at Lightning. He sighed. Lightning frowned and admitted, "I had a panic attack.. From a stupid nightmare.. I.. I'm sorry.." He whimpered and covered his face with his hands. Embarrassed, defeated.
Smoky sighed again then nodded, "Well.. Try and get some sleep. We begin training in a couple of hours.." Closing the door behind him as he left. Cruz walked over and grabbed Lightning's arm as she asked, "Mr. McQueen?… Please talk to me…" Lightning looked at Cruz. He was so broken. He could talk to her about it, but he rather not. So he tried smiling. "I'm fine.. Now… Thanks to you." He said. Cruz smiled back a little. But she wished he would open up to her. Cruz understood though and didn't push. If he wanted to talk to her about whatever it was, he would when he was ready….
Lighting was putting on his shoes when Smoky knocked. Lightning calling, "Come in." Smoky walked in and asked, "You ready to start training?" Lightning smiled, "Yes, SIr." "Come on, Cruz is already at the track garage." Smoky announced and motioned for Lightning to come along. Lightning followed Smoky. Closing the bedroom door behind him. "You have these anxiety and panic attacks often?" Smoky asked. Lightning frowned admitting, "That's the second one.. It's not bad though. I think that one was just brought on by a dream.. I'm fine." "Good. So let's go." Smoky exclaimed and walked out the door. The two heading to the truck and then to the track….
Smoky and Lighting walked over to the garage where Cruz was inside with Luigi and Guido. River, Junior and Louise standing outside. Lou teasing, "Bout time you showed up." Smoky then began explaining, "If you want to beat Storm, you need someone to stand in for him. Like a sparring partner." The lift lowered Cruz's car and she nervously reminded, "I'm not so sure… Not a racer! Just a trainer." She smiled awkwardly. Smoky snickered, "Just go ahead and cut it." Cruz glanced at her car that was souped up to look a little like Storm's car at the moment. She got into her car, turned the key and revved the engine! And that sound made everyone grab their ears! "OH yeah!" Cruz shouted with excitement before turning it off and getting out of the car.
Smoky chuckled, "With no muffler, you even sound like Storm." Cruz smiled with excitement! Walking up to Lightning and teasing, "Oh you're going down, McQueen! " Poking him in the chest, "Get that arthritis wheeled keister onto the track, so I can put you in the old folk's home against your will!" Lightning stared wide eyed at Cruz. She then took a step or two back and blushing asked, "How was that?" Lightning swallowed nervously answering, "That'll work." Louise adding, "Worked for me." River then with, "I'm, I'm good." Junior adding, "Yep, that'll do!"
And the three took off to the track, River asking his friends, "Did you hear what she said?" Laughing and teasing about it. Smoky smiled and followed his friends. Cruz blushed and apologized to Lightning. Lightning chuckled as he replied, "Nah, it's okay. I kind of like it." "Really?" "Yeah, you just might wanna work on presentation a bit. I mean, unless you were going for super aggressive, crazy, lost her mind type." "Ha.. ha… Very funny, Mr. McQueen."…..
Smoky set up a walkie-talkie ate. Handing one to Cruz and one to Lightning, then one for himself. "Alright, you didn't show up to qualifying in Florida. So you'll be starting dead last." Then handing Cruz a helmet and he motioned for Cruz where to start. Cruz walked off and headed to her staring line. "I'll give you three laps to catch her." Smoky explained. Lightning however, began whining, "What!? Go through the entire field in three laps!?" Smoky walked LIghtning to the Bolt. Handling Lightning the helmet. Lightning put it on and hopped into the car. Smoky then asked, "You want to beat Storm or not?" "Yes, of course I do." "Well, then…"
He stepped away from the car and pulled the walkie up and shouted, "GO!" Cruz spun out and gunned it! Lightning revved up and shifted the Bolt! Chasing her down! "Come on!" Smoky coaxed! Lightning couldn't do it the first lap, nor the second. Third lap.. Everyone watched as LIghtning still couldn't;t catch up to Cruz's car. Smoky realized then and there he was going to have to try something different. "Guido!" He shouted grabbing Guido's attention. "I'm gonna need some help." He admitted as he walked to his truck…..
So he took Lightning out to an old trail. "Reflexes are the first thing to go." He began as he pulled the truck to a stop. Lightning didn't understand as he pulled the Bolt over. "I'll go ahead, you follow behind. We're not racing, but Guido here is going to be throwing obstacles at you. Dodge them." Smoky instructed. Guido and Lightning glanced at each other. This would be interesting..
Lightning followed Smoky from behind. Guido on a trailer being pulled, throwing bales of hey at Lightning! Lightning tried to miss them but wound up running into every single one!
Once Guido ran out of bales, Smoky pulled over, Lightning pulled over next to Smoky and got out the Bolt shouting, 'That was ridiculous!" "I'm trying to help you, kid." Smoky reminded. Lightning sighed. Keeping his cool as he was reminded of that. This was Smoky! The one who taught Doc. "Did you throw bales of hay at Doc!?" Lighting asked. Smoky crossed his arms and snickered before answering, "No. Now, come on, I got another idea." Lightning groaned, but back into the car, he followed Smoky out to a cow pasture….
Cruz and Lightning sat in their cars, parked next to each other. Smoky outside the gate. "Sneak through that window!" He announced in the walkie. Cruz glanced at Lightning and asked, "What does that mean?" Lightning answering, "I don't know." Smoky then honked the horn of hiss truck "GO!" and cattle began running all around! Forcing the two ' racers ' to move! Slowly. Cruz grabbing her walkie and shouting, "Not cool, man! Not cool!"…..
That evening they were all back at the old dirt track. Lightning desperately trying to catch Cruz! "Faster!" Smoky yelled at him! The cars flying by. Still not catching up! "Come on, kid!" Smoky shouted into the walkie! LIghtning growled with frustration! Shifting the bolt and pushing that pedal down at the very end of the turns! Cruz was so far ahead! He was getting no where! "DO you even want to be out here?!" Smoky asked over the radio! LIghtning hit the steering wheel! He was trying his best! IT just wasn't good enough! "Bring it back in!" Smoky instructed! Lightning hit the brakes and came to a dusty stop. Smoky walked up and scolded, "Only two days left, kid! You gotta work harder!"
Lightning growled at himself, hitting the Bolt's door inside before cutting her off. Smoky leaned in the window and said, "Alright, alright. Let's call it a night. Same thing first thing in the morning." Patting the roof of the red race car and walking back to his friends. Lightning leaned in the seat. Breathing and taking it in for a moment. Then he took off the helmet in a frenzy! Tossed it out the window and it hit the ground with a thud, rolling a bit. LIghtning crawled out the window and fell to the ground. Getting up, he dusted himself off and kicked the side of the Bolt. Everyone stared at him Watching him and his little tantrum.
Louise snickered and muttered, "Well, that's attractive." River reminding, "Hud did say he was emotional." "Emotional is an understatement." Louise teased. They all chuckled a bit. Smoky then snapped at them, "Hey! Did I ask for your comments. Kid is just frustrated. You all were the very same when it came down to it." River, Junior and Louise all frowned. Yeah, when it came down to the end of their careers and Hud's crash….
Lightning collapsed onto the bed. Exhausted! Cruz walked in and closed the door! She was buzzing with adrenaline. "Wooh! That was fun, wasn't it!?" She asked with a huge smile on her face! Lightning sat up on the bed and scolded, "Fun? This isn't suppose to be fun! It's suppose to be getting me faster!" "Yeah, but… I mean.. You can have fun while getting faster. I mean, that was some crazy training. I have never thought about training anyone that way. I was taught to use the simulators and treadmills." Lightning just rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Mr. MCQueen. That felt good and you know it." She replied. Lightning stood up and snarled, "I'm gonna clean and tune up the Bolt." He grabbed his keys and began to the door. Cruz followed asking, "Can I come?" Lightning stopped and looked at her. That was kind of his thing back home. His alone time, but.. She just made the cutest little please face. He sighed and answered, "Fine, just… Don't get in my way." Walking out. Cruz jumped with excitement before following her idol to the garage….
Lightning rolled out from underneath the Bolt. Cruz standing in the corner. Just watching and keeping out of his way as he walked to the tool box and grabbed a few tools before walking over to the Bolt and opening the hood. He stared at the engine. Quietly. Cruz walked up and asked, "What you doing?" "Thinking…" He growled. Staring at the engine. Cruz opened her mouth to say something, but Lightning stopped her by holding a finger up in the air. Thinking. Quietly. "I need to get the launch faster.." He muttered aloud to himself. Cruz glanced at the engine then cautiously suggested, "Why not distribute the weight to the nose." "A heavier nose? That's not going to help my launch." "It would if you add like two clicks to the nose from the left and the back shouldn't raise any higher." "The left?" He asked.
Cruz nodded then explained, "We can take weight off the left side and move it to the nose, then decrease the wedge and lower the car to four off the ground. If we added a little pressure into the tires and adjusted her gears just right, the launch should be drastically better. We adjust the sway bars to a bit lower setting and boom! Faster than fast.." Lightning took a step back and smiled, "You know your race cars. I'm impressed." He complimented. Cruz blushed. He then handed her the tools he had. Cruz's eyes widened. "What are you doing?" She asked. Lightning snickered saying, "You obviously know what you're talking about. Wanna help?" He asked with a friendly smile. Cruz's smile became bigger! If that was even possible. "You'd let me tune the Bolt!?" She asked with excitement! LIghtning nodded, "Sure. I don't let just anyone mess with her, but you analyzed her, studied her set up on your fancy tablet thing, right?"
Cruz nodded replying, "OH, I am honored, Mr. McQueen!" Then she got to work wit such happiness! Cruz was in her element here. Lightning crossed his arms and snickered. "Just don't go to overboard" He added as he watched. And he was a little proud. Impressed. Cruz was something special, that's for sure. He had never had anyone know cars like this that he had help with the Bolt before. Sure, Bobby and Cal would have helped anytime, but they were rivals and friends. This was different. This was watching a young enthusiastic person who loved race cars possibly more than he, Bobby and Cal did and showed it through her work. This was something special. Cruz kind of reminded Lightning of his days back in racing school. Full of energy, a drive for the sport and a longing…
Smoky walked into the garage. Watching the two work on the car. "Hey, you two. Supper is ready. Lou made her famous casserole." He announced. Lightning and Cruz turned towards Smoky. Smoky asking, "What you two doin in here anyway?" Cruz answering, "Distributing weight to the nose, adding tire pressure, adjusting the sway bar and lowered the body." Smoky raised a brow and looked at Lightning, "Faster launch?" "Yep. Cruz's idea." Lightning answered. Smoky snickered then motioned for them to come along. Setting tools down, the two followed Smoky to the track where River, Junior, Louise, Guido, and Luigi and Mack had already began eating and getting ready for the movie.
hey watched some of Doc's old races together. Eating and laughing about a few memories of Doc. Smoky explaining, "Hud was the master of letting the other drivers do the work for him." Junior adding, "He'd cling to them like they were two June bugs on a summer night." "He stole that from me." Scott griped. Junior chuckled and smiled thinking back to racing with Doc. Lightning was a bit surprised as he asked, "Drafting?" Then proudly continued, "I've never had to do that." Smoky looked at Lightning and nodded, "Yeah? That's when you were fast. Now you're slow." "And old!" Junior added. "And rickety." Louise teased, followed by River with, "And dilapidated!"
Lightning rolled his eyes snapping, "Okay, okay, I get it." Sheesh. Smoky only continued to teach, "The new you has to look for opportunities you never knew were there." LIghtning sighed and watched the tape. Glancing over at Cruz because honestly, she was being quiet. A little too quiet for Cruz. But she was watching the screen. Listening intently to Smoky while watching the race. Lightning snickered seeing that. Smiling a bit as he got to learn just how much Cruz loved racing. Getting to know a different side of Cruz…..
That night, as Lightning lay in bed. Cruz was in the bathroom changing. She walked out wearing a proper fitting t shirt and some night shorts for bed. "Thanks for the clothes." She said. Lightning glanced over at her and smiled, "You're welcome." Cruz smiled back then began, "Can I ask you something?" "Sure." He answered as he made his bed up on the couch. Cruz walked over and asked, "What's it actually take to be a racer? What's it take to be.. Well.. You?" Lightning stared a Cruz a moment. He shrugged, "I guess what you're really asking is what does it take to become a racer generally.. And.. It takes a lot of guts.. You have to know what you're doing under the hood, but.. It also takes nothing. Some drivers I've met through my career are absolute idiots. In it for the money and nothing else." "And you?.." "I started it for the racing. I wanted to finish what my brother started years ago." "Your brother?" Cruz asked.
Lightning nodded and continued, "Rob crashed.. He didn't make it out of the accident though. Chad and I worked together and.. I guess Chad taught me a good base for racing, really." "Chad?" "I have a lot of brothers.. Anyway.. I started racing school, i was good.. Actually, to be honest, Cruz. I sucked. I lost almost every race once I got into a sponsor. I finally got my big brake with Rusty and Dusty and something happened. I changed." "For the better? Because you were awesome back in your rookie days!" Cruz exclaimed! Lightning thought about Doc's letters and snickered admitting, "No, I was an ass. You shouldn't look up to me. Honestly, I think I was worse than Jackson." "Is Jackson that bad?" She asked. Lightning only growled, "Ugh.. He's an ass, but he's smooth about it. He's nice and mean at the same time." "Wow. Never would have thought that. He's so cute on camera." Lightning raised a brow at Cruz.
"Cute?" He asked with a chuckle. Cruz blushed! "Not like cute attractive! Like.. Cute. Like a kitten or a dog or., you know?" She lied. Blushing. LIghtning rolled his eyes and teased, "OH, ho. You think he's attractive." "I do not!" "You like him." "I do not! I tend to go for older guys, if you must know." She said with a cute attitude sense she was embarrassed.
Lightning snickered and continued, "Doc is what changed me, Cruz. If it weren't for him, I'd never be where I am today. I wish I could talk to him…" Then he thought about that last letter and what it said. Cruz noticed Lightning's expression changed and asked, "What's wrong?" "What? Nothing." He sat on the couch. Cruz sighed then got into her bed. "Well… Good night, Mr. McQueen. Get some rest! Because I doubt Mr. Smoky will be taking it easy on us." "Just call me Lightning, Cruz. We're friends now." He said with a warm smile. Cruz smiled back, "Okay, Lightning." Then her face cringed as she corrected herself, "No, nope.. Too weird, I'm sorry. Good night, Mr. McQueen." Then she lay down and covered up in bed. LIghtning chuckled a bit then shut off the light before laying on the couch and getting some sleep himself…..
Lightning got dressed and grabbed some coffee before walking inside on the porch. Smoky was sitting on the porch sipping on his cup of joe. "Morning." The older man greeted. Lightning yawned, "Good morning. Where's Cruz?" He asked. Smoky sipped his coffee before answering, "Down at the track. She said she wanted to get some laps in before we started training." "Huh." Lightning smirked. He sipped some more coffee then asked Smoky, "Do you think I can do this?" "I don't know. Do you?" "I don't know…" "You know, when Hud disappeared on me.. I knew it was because his heart was broken. He didn't take it well." "Yeah, I read the letter, Smoky." Lightning growled then sipped his coffee.
"And?" Smoky replied. LIghtning sighed. Thinking a moment before answering, "And… I understand what Doc wanted me to accept.. If I don't win in Florida… I get it… It's time to accept it and move on in life.. Be happy for the things I have and shit." "Hmm. Problems back home?" "No. Things back home are perfect." Lightning snarled. Smoky could tell that Lightning was lying though. Smoky sighed and finished his coffee. "Alright, let's get to it." He exclaimed……
So with Cruz ad Lightning in the race car(s) in the pasture again, Smoky put the walkie to him lips and shouted, "Sneak through the window!" Lightning and Cruz trying to figure it out. Careful around the cattle. Lightning's eyes widened as he finally got it! "Oooh… Sneak through the window!" "What!?" Cruz shouted! Lightning explained, "Sneak through the window! When a window opens, take it!" Then when he saw and opening, he shifted the Bolt and gunned it! Cruz tried to keep up, but was blocked. She looks around and found another window! Pushing the gas and sneaking through the window, catching up to Lightning! The two separated again. Lighting seeing a window, shifted the bolt when suddenly Cruz slammed the door on him! "I made it!" Cruz exclaimed! Lighting happily cheered, "Alright!" They both found another opening and exited the pasture together!….
Smoky hooked up the trailer, Guido getting on the back and started up the trail with Lightning in the Bolt behind. This time, as Guido tossed bales at Lightning, he dodged them! "Yes!" Lightning shouted happily! He was doing it! Smoky snickered and shouted, "Alright, Guido. Turn up the heat!" Guido glanced at Smoky, "Okay." He replied. Then Lighting saw an engine, a tire! "AH!" He yelped as an anchor came down! Where did that even come from!?….
Back at the track that evening. Lightning had three laps to catch Cruz. "GO!" Smoky shouted! Cruz gunned it, spinning her rear tires out! Lightning hit the gas and wow! That launch time was drastically better! Lap one, he didn't catch her, lap two barely gaining some track between them. Lap three and Lightning came up right behind Cruz! Smoky smiled, "Well look who finally decided to show up!" He shouted into the radio! Lightning chuckled and shifted the car hard as they came down the final stretch. He didn't catch her, but he was getting faster!….
Cruz ran up to Lightning and the two high fived! "That was great!" Cruz exclaimed! Amped up and ready for more. Lightning chuckled. He hadn't seen someone this excited to go racing for no reason in years! Smoky walked up and a said, "Alright, let's take a brake. We will meet back up here once the moon is up." Then walked to his truck. Cruz wiped the sweat from her forehead and asked, "We have a few hours? What should we do in the mean time?" Lightning glanced at Cruz answering, "I'm gonna head to the house. Call.. Someone.. Then head to the bar for a drink." "Oh. Okay."
Lightning then began heading back to the car and suddenly stopped. He glanced back at Cruz, sighed then asked, "You want to meet me at the bar?" "Yes!" Cruz shouted with a smile. Lightning's eyes widened from her reaction. Cruz blushed and smiled awkwardly, "I mean, yeah, sure.. If you want me to." Lightning snickered and smiled warmly at her. She was cute. He walked up to the Bolt and shouted, "See you in an hour!" Before hopping in and heading back to Smoky's place….
Lightning closed the bedroom door. Locking it. He walked over the bed and sat down. Pulling out his phone. Pulling up Sally's name. He hesitated. Sighed. Honestly?… His heart hurt so much thinking of her. The betrayal he had been keeping hidden to protect her. And worse, he couldn't protect her forever. He shouting even be protecting her. But he still loved her. He didn't want the press and fans to get ahold of this. To get ahold of her. Lightning's chest aches. His body physically sick thinking of what Sally had done. What was he even going to call her for anyway?
Lightning set his phone down next to him and lay back on the bed. He missed how things were before the crash. Wishing he could go back. Things were getting better with Sally. Maybe if he hadn't had kept her from having children before then this wouldn't have happened. Maybe if he had retired like the others then this wouldn't have happened. Maybe if he took her to more of the races.. Maybe if Lightning had done more, then this wouldn't have happened.
Blaming himself for what she had done. That didn't make him feel any better either. He sighed. Staring up at the ceiling. Why?.. Why would Sally do this?.. There had to be more to it than she was just lonely! Come on! That was an excuse. Lightning sat back up. Staring at his phone. Forget it. He changed out of the race suit and into some shirt, jeans, and.. The jacket Sally gave him. He grabbed his keys and left. Meeting Cruz at the bar. No point in calling Sally when he couldn't even find the strength to press the dam call button….
Lightning walked into the bar to see Cruz sitting at the bar. Some older gentlemen making jokes and obviously trying to impress her. Cruz looked awkward. Lightning snickered and walked over asking, "This seat taken?" "Mr. McQueen!" Cruz exclaimed! The older man gave up and walked away. "Who's the boyfriend?" Lightning joked. Cruz rolled her eyes saying, "Oh please. I don't have one." "Really?" "Yeah, I just work all the time. Plus, most guys don't like hearing you live in the workplace and work one on one with a bunch of young, good looking drivers." She admitted. Lightning stared. Not sure how to reply to that. So he raised his hand and had two drinks over. "You are old enough to drink? Right?" He asked.
Cruz glared, "Very funny." Lightning sipped his drink then asked, "So.. I know you said you dreamed of being a racer, but what did you do before becoming a trainer?" Cruz shrugged, "Nothing really. I mean I worked as a teenager at odd jobs. But once I didn't take my chance, I put my talent to use as a trainer. Went to school and started working for some company for sports. I became manager there. Is was great. I was head of a full team." "Really? So why did you take in the job with Mr. Sterling?" "The money was a huge pay difference. Plus, I was closer to racing." "Sounds right." Lightning muttered then sipped his drink. Cruz stared at hers. Staring at the liquid in the glass before looking at Lightning and asking, "So? What's Sally like?"
Lightning's eyes widened a bit. Cruz then remembered what he had said before. Marital problems. "Oh. Right.. Touchy subject. Sorry." "It's alright.. She.. She was the most patient and caring person I knew. Yeah, stubborn and hard headed at times, but I kind of loved that about her." "Yeah?" "Yeah.." Lightning frowned. Sally betrayed him. Fuck her! Fuck Ben! Fuck them! "I'm sorry. I didn't mean."-"It's fine." Lightning assured. The two sipping their drinks.
"I've always admired you, Mr. McQueen. As a fan, yes, but I have loved getting to know you on this trip. Like.. Why the number 95?" She asked. Eagerly awaiting to know why. Lightning snickered answering, "Back when I got that number, it was because I replaced the racer who had it at school." "Oh wow. So Rusty and Dusty let you keep the number?" "Yep." "That's awesome! Why call it the Bolt? I mean I know, the lucky sticker, but why?" She asked.
Lightning chuckled answering, "Just for fun at the time. I don't know, it just stuck." "And what are Mr. Weathers and Mr. Swift like? I mean, I've heard stories.." "They were my best friends on track. Those two were fun. We all hung out off track a lot." "I'd love to meet them!" "Yeah, well… Stay away from Bobby." "Mr. Swift? Why is that?" Cruz asked. Lightning snickered answering, "Just trust me. Don't get dragged alone with him. He's a great guy, but a man whore." Cruz stared. That didn't sit well with her, but she agreed to take Lightning's advice.
Cruz sipped her drink then asked, "What was your favorite track?" "My favorite track? Hmm. I don't know. I've never thought about that. I guess Texas." "Your home track?" "Yeah." Lightning smiled. He had good memories there. Cruz only continued, "How many girlfriends did you have before settling down?" Lightning blushed and Cruz laughed! "Oh my god! That many!?" She asked. Lightning shook his head and defended, "More like one night stands. I wasn't exactly a great guy before Sally." "I see. Well, what's your favorite thing to do back home?" "Radiator Springs?" He asked.
Cruz nodded. Lightning thought a moment, "I guess go to Flo's for a drink and hang out with folks there." "Sounds nice." Complimented Cruz. She smiled. Leaning on the bar table. Gazing at Lightning. He looked so beautiful when he smiled. She loved making him smile. "You look good when you smile." She said. Lightning stared at her. Just staring a moment. Taken by surprise by that comment. Cruz blushed bright red, but then Lightning laughed! Laughing at what she said. Cruz just felt even more embarrassed. "Haha.. Yeah.." She mumbled. Lightning shook his head saying, "You're funny. You say the most random things, Cruz." He said as he calmed down from laughing.
Cruz smiled awkwardly and nodded. Lightning glanced at her. "I like you." He said. Cruz looked away. Brushing her brown hair behind her ear and replying, "I.. Yeah, I like you too." "Well, let's get going. We got to meet up with Smoky and the others." Lightning said as he got up. Cruz hopped down and grabbed his arm. Stopping him from leaving. "Can you do the thing?" She asked. Lightning raised a brow. Blushing, "What thing?" He asked. Cruz smiled, biting her lower lip. "The thing. The Kachow. I haven't seen it in years! And never in person!!" She exclaimed. Lightning stared a moment. "Seriously?" He asked. Cruz nodded. Placing her hands in a begging position. Lightning stared. Sighed. Then rolled his eyes and leaned his right shoulder forward, "Kachow." He growled. Cruz's brows lowered.
She crossed her arms and scolded, "That wasn't very good. It's more like, KACHOW!" She said as she popped her shoulder forward. Lightning stared at her. He tried not to, but he laughed! Grabbing his stomach as he laughed so hard it hurt! Cruz didn't understand why he was laughing at her. "What?" She asked Lightning wiped his eyes from the tears forming. "I just…" He tried to stop laughing, "I never realized how ridiculous I looked!" Laughing at himself mostly.
Cruz glared at him and explained, "You realize all the ladies loved that." Lightning took a deep breath as he finally stopped laughing. Looking at Cruz's glare. He leaned in close to her and said, "I grew up. Now come on!" He explained and headed out the doors of the bar. Cruz watched him head out. Smiling. Gazing at his walk. He did grow up indeed. Flustered. Was she really falling for him!? He's married! Fuck! Cruz shook her head and followed him out…
So Lightning and Cruz followed Smoky and the gang into the woods. In the dark. Kind of creepy. Smoky in front explained, "This is where we cut out racing teeth." Lightning asking, "In the woods?" Junior drove up and spoke in a radio, "Let's just say the moon was always shining on us." Louise then adding, "If the moon didn't shine, we didn't have to-oh never mind." She growled to herself aloud. River then shouting, "We ran moonshine, dummy!" And gunning it past Lightning and Cruz. Lightning cousins believe Doc was part of this group! Absolutely amazing how much the old grandpa kept to himself. Smoky then continued, "By the way, no lights. Instinct only." Cutting off his headlights.
River, Junior and Louise all doing the same. Lightning hesitated this, but cut off his headlights. Almost immediately he went off trail onto another with Cruz right behind him! But Lightning manage to catch back up to the older and former racers. Tree! He turned sharp to miss it! Then shifting and another tree! Lightning turned sharp again! These guys were crazy! But then… Lightning began getting the hang of this! And.. It was actually kind of fun! "Wooh!" He shouted as he made a small jump, missing trees, running through bushes. Drifting around corners, sharp turns, bobbing and weaving. This was fun! Lightning shifted the bolt, the engine revving loudly, he heard scrapes on the passenger side but gunned it! Keeping on the trial. Another small jump and then Cruz finally appeared, cutting in front of him!
They were having fun! Cruz drifting down a sharp turn on a hill with Lightning doing the same right behind her as if they were dancing! Going through more foliage and shape curves! Cruz turned sharp to miss a jump ahead! Lightning smiled and shifted! Pushing the pedal down! The bolt roared! And lifted from the ground! The car souring through the air as the wrap peeled off! Lightning hit the ground with a thud, shifting into gear and jerking the wheel, sticking the landing! "Woohoo hoo!" He shouted! Having actual fun driving the car again! It had felt like years sense he drove the Bolt like this!…
Cruz and Lightning drifted around a corner and then Cruz hit her breaks hard! Lightning hitting the brakes hard to be careful not to hit Cruz's car! He quickly got out the Bolt and asked, "Why'd you stop?" Cruz got out her car and looked out at the open night sky. Lightning walked to the ledge. The ledge looked over a beach. The ocean waves crashing onto the dirty shoreline. A cool breeze blowing through their hair, the stars and moon above shining down and giving them bright light. "It's beautiful." Cruz said softly. Lightning glanced at her. Her eyes sparkled beneath the stars. Cruz took out her ponytail and her hair moved like silk ribbon in the breeze. Lightning couldn't help staring. Her skin looked shiny and smooth, her eyes, her hair.
She was young and beautiful. Cruz looked at him and smiled, but he looked away and looked up at the stars. So Cruz looked back up at the stars as well. It was like her soul was looking into the very fire heart of a star. Lightning looked at her again. She was so.. Smiley and happy and full of life. She was always so positive and looked for the good in things. Cruz was so optimistic and trying to make sure he was okay all of the time. She didn't ask to many questions, she made him laugh, she made him come back to racing. In the best way. Because of her and her attitude and her personality he had began to have fun driving again. She didn't even know it, but she was saving him. It was… Like his body was floating.
His heart lightened yet felt heavy. His heart hurt but not in the way it had been. It was like he couldn't catch his breath. Lightning grabbed his chest. Breathing a bit faster. Cruz glanced at him and noticed. "Mr. McQueen?" She called. Then he swayed a bit. Stepping back he tripped on a branch. Cruz ran over and grabbed him by the corner of his jacket, holding him back from falling and getting him to regain his stance. She looked up into his eyes and he looked down into hers. Her brown eyes. Lightning swallowed nervously. Staring at her. He placed a hand on top of Cruz's head. "Thank you.." He muttered. Cruz just stood frozen. Still holding onto his jacket. Confused.
Listening as he continued softly, "Thank you for making me see the good.. For bringing me back.. For being there through so much even though you have no clue what's going on with me some times.." Cruz smiled up at him. Lightning's hand brushed down the side of her face. Brushing some hair behind her ear. Cruz blushed. Staring with fear. A good fear. Lightning held the palm of his hand over the side of her face. His hand warm to her skin. "Mr.. McQueen?…" Cruz questioned his intentions. Gripping his jacket more intensely. Lightning stared down in her eyes. They stood like this for what felt like eternity. Gazing into one another. She wanted to be his in this moment. The stars making their eyes sparkle. Then he pulled his hand away and Cruz let go of his jacket.
Suddenly, she felt cold. She shivered and crossed her arms. Lightning took off the jacket and wrapped it around her in a swift motion. Cruz stared at him with wide eyes. Lightning sighed then glanced up at the stars once more. Then he looked at her and continued, "Come on.. The others are probably wondering what happened to us." Walking back to the Bolt. Cruz watched him walk then glanced out over the ledge. Staring at the ocean. The breeze blowing through her hair. Feelings she had were… Confusing right now. A shooting star flying across the sky. She smiled. Something just felt right…
Cruz walked out of the bathroom. Dressed and ready for bed. She looked over at the couch to see Lightning was already passed out asleep. She smiled as she gazed at his resting body. Thinking back to the moment they had in the moonlight. The way he held her face. But she frowned. He didn't want her. He was married. And if he did, that was kind of a jerk move. Cruz sighed and walked to her bed. Getting in. Glancing at him once more. Her heart couldn't resist falling for him as they got to know each other. There was much more to Lightning than just the grumpy old man act and racing. He was passionate, he had a nice smile, when he laughed, and was happy, he was the cutest thing she'd ever seen. Cruz smiled proudly once more before finally covering up and going to sleep. Probably dreaming of his laugh and smile at this point….