Bobby and Jesse ran into the room where Lightning and Sally were at the ER. It was nearly 3am at this point. Bobby ran up to Lightning and asked, "What the fuck happened?" Lightning glared answering, "Nothing. I just got lightheaded." Sally then explained, "The doctor is still finishing tests up, but he thinks that Lightning's blood pressure dropped really low." "Dam.. I thought you were getting better." Bobby snarled. Lightning rolled his eyes and growled, "I am. It's not that big of a deal." Sally snapping, "You nearly fainted! Low blood pressure isn't a good thing!" Lightning just shook his head. The doctor then walked in with some papers.
Everyone looking at him. "Oh.. who?.." He asked as he stared at Bobby and Jesse. Lightning quickly and rudely answered, "Friends. It's fine. Can you just tell me what's wrong with me so I can get out of here and go home?" The doctor sighed and nodded. "You had an episode of what we call vasovagal syncope." "Great. Can I go home?" "Yes, but you'll need to start watching when you get up and possibly go over long term care with your provider. It can lead to serious problems and even death.." Sally then asked, "What is that? What you said he had?"
The doctor handed Sally some papers and explained, "A condition in which the heart rate and blood pressure drop low without any certain medical cause or reason. In your case, Lightning, I think it was the sex as it causes an intense rush of emotions that stimulate the vagus nerve that transmits information between the brain and the rest of the body. Overstimulation of this nerve temporarily dilates the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure. So maybe don't strain yourself so much." Bobby tried not to, but he could not help it! He suddenly burst laughing! "Oh my god! You nearly passed out because you were having sex!? Just how hard were you two going at it!?" He asked as he laughed. Lightning just glared at his friend.
Sally though, turned bright red. Jesse slapped Bobby in the shoulder. He tried calming down and did some. The doctor then saying, "If you ever feel one of these episodes starting again, it's gonna sound weird, but lay down and try contracting your muscles. Flex. Arms, legs, chest. It can help stop the vessels dilation in its tracks. It should work within a minute or two. If you don't feel better, come back to the ER. Alright?.. I don't want you to take to many chances with this sense you had a lot of blood pressure and heart problems from the accident. If it keeps on, you got to find a permanent solution. I'll send the summary to your primary at the clinic. And.. I'll have a nurse remove the Iv and you can be on your way."
Sally thanked him and he left. Bobby began laughing again, "Man! You know what this means right?" He paused then, "It means I last longer than you." Lightning rolled his eyes. A little annoyed by Bobby's teasing. Bobby continued to snicker then asked Sally, "What were you doing to him? Fuck! I can't imagine going that hard!?" Jesse slapped Bobby again. Sally looked away of embarrassment. Lightning could not believe this. His health now? Seriously.?.. Honestly, he was embarrassed as hell, but.. This was bad. He knew this was bad and he would probably wind up on more medications… Great…..
Lightning walked into the house and mopey walked all the way to the couch where he collapsed onto it. Sally shut the front door then walked over and asked, "You okay?" "Peachy.." he growled. His ego hurt a bit, but he was alright. Lightning sighed then sat up and said, "I'm gonna shower finally…" He seemed really hurt. Mostly embarrassed. Sally watched him go to the bedroom. She decided to fix some breakfast and assure him he didn't seem weak and talk about how she actually enjoyed it. For the first time, she really tried to hold out for him and she loved it. He was amazing last night. He just needed to know that…
Lightning walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table where Sally had dinner already on plates and drinks. Just baked chicken with steamed green beans and sauce. "Looks good, thank you." Lightning complimented. Sally snickered as she sat across from him and replied, "Well you've been cooking most of our meal. I thought I might give it a go." Lightning smiled and ate. It was quiet at first. Sally then asking, "Could we talk about last night?" Lightning sighed, "What about it? How I was weak and suddenly passed out." Oh he was mad at himself. Sally frowned a bit and assured, "That was a simple accident and it was explained easily and can be avoided, I was talking about the sex stuff, Lightning."
Lightning stared at her. She seemed to enjoy it. Lightning swallowed before replying, "Alright… I was to rough again, huh?" "No. I actually didn't mind the rope stuff. It was a bit fun actually." "Really?" "Yeah, it was really new. I didn't know you knew how to tie all that. I was surprised it didn't hurt. Now, you were rough with how you were man handling me, but I didn't mind it. It wasn't too bad. Three out of five for me." She smiled. Lightning stared at her. This was NOT the woman he married. She actually liked that?! "So?… You enjoyed yourself?" Lightning asked. Sally nodded. Lightning leaned back in his chair. Staring. Just.. Surprised and amazed. Honestly, hearing that she liked it turned him on right there and then. "Fuck.." He growled with a smile.
Sally raised a brow and asked, "What?" "Hearing that only makes me want to take you back to our room and fuck you." Sally snickered and reminded, "You can't be straining yourself." "Oh please, I can handle it." "Can you?" Sally asked. Lightning's brows lowered as he scolded, "Don't do that. It was one time. I promise I wont push myself next time, I swear." Sally snickered then stood up and began cleaning up her plate. "Are you done?" She asked. Lightning nodded, so she took his out as well. Cleaning up the dishes. Lightning watched her. Still amazed that Sally enjoyed that! It excited him!
Sally finished cleaning up and walked back over to her love. Sitting on his lap as she wrapped her arms around him. Gazing into his eyes. "I love you, Lightning." Making him smile, "I love you too." Lightning kissing her neck softly. Sally moaned and smiled, "You really need to take it easy today.." But she gasped as his lips brushed her throat as he kissed her there. "Mmmm… Oh, Lightning.." Lightning lifting her up onto the table and laying her down on it, him bending over her as his lips met hers. The couple began making out. Sally grabbing his face and their tongues went wild. Sally moaning into his mouth and Lightning's hands desperately taking her pants and panties down , breaking the kiss only to take them off one of her feet then the other, immediately leaning back over her as they made out again.
Their lips never parting as Lightning quickly freed his member. Then his hands on the table, her hands holding onto his shoulders near his neck as he thrusted inside her. Their tongues rolling and dancing with one another's as Lightning rocked his hips. Sally moaning into his mouth, feeling his member deep inside her and out, she broke the kiss and leaned her head all the way back on the table, raising her chest as she moaned louder from his thrust. Lightning moaning in return then kissing her neck.. Gently and softly over and over as he fucked her desperately. "Fuck… Lightning!… I'm gonna cum like this.." She announced. Lightning reached between their bodies and gently massaged her clit as he continued rocking.
This only sent Sally over the edge! "Yes! Yes, yes!" She screamed as her insides clenched down onto him. Lightning couldn't take it, he thrusted in one final time before exploding himself! A short grunt escaped his lips as he finished. Then he panted. Catching his breath. Sally looked up and directly into his eyes, she smiled. Lightning then kissing her lips. Making out a little more before pulling out of her. He absolutely loved this woman. He forgot how amazing she could be when they were both trying for one another…..
Hours later after much needed sleep…
Sally walked out of the bedroom making her way to the kitchen for a snack. She stopped and saw Lightning sitting on the couch and looked to be in deep thought. "Stickers?.." she called, but he didn't answer. Sally walked over, around the couch and sat down on the other side of the couch as she asked, "You okay?" Lightning sat moment in silence, then reached beside him and pulled out a box then set in front of Sally on the coffee table. Sally stared the purple box. Morning after pills. Sally felt somethin within her sink as she looked at her husband, "Lightning?." She cooed softly as she sought answers.
Lightning sighed before explaining, "Take these. And I know it's not a complete guarantee after the other days, but we can go to an ob and make sure you're not in three weeks, I already made the appointment. That's what the doctor said we should do and yes, he said you can take these. If you are, we get rid of it." Sally's jaw dropped slightly. So he spoke with the her doctor about this possibility?. "Excuse me?" She asked. The whimper and shakiness in her tone hurt Lightning like a knife. He didn't even look at her, he couldn't because he knew he was hurting her by doing this and saying this, "I'm not getting you pregnant. You can't handle it.. I know you have a hard time getting pregnant, so I'm probably overthinking this.. But I can't"-That doesn't give you the right to make THIS decision without me!" Sally shouted as she stood up and faced him!
Lightning nodded, "I can't risk your life for something we aren't even ready for." He stayed calm. Sally felt her heart brake as she snapped back, "We're not even trying right now!" "No, but.. We've.. A lot.." "So if I am, you'd have me kill our baby!?" She shouted at him and he fell silent. Staring up at her. He swallowed nervously as his heart broke to. No.. He didn't want to do that, but.. "Sally… You could have died.. I came home and you were unconscious.. The last baby literally sucked the life out of you! You were losing weight, you didn't even look pregnant for most of it, and what if I hadn't of come home!?"
He raised his voice, but didn't yell, "And the pain? The pain you had to go through of delivering that baby and never bringing it home.. You really want to probably go through that again?!" Again not yelling. But. That probably stuck out to her. Her body failed at the one thing it was suppose to give Lightning. She had failed him as a wife in so many ways, she thought, but this?.. This was the worst of it.. Marrying her was an end to the McQueen name and his legacy in in her eyes. Sally stared down at him.
His eyes becoming glossy as if he were about to cry. But.. She understood now. He was afraid. So afraid that now, he didn't want a baby with her. oh how her heart hurt! It wasn't Lightning's fault. Her body was such a failure that her own husband had decided he won't have it now. He doesn't want kids because of her defected body. Sally felt tears roll down her cheeks. "Sal…" Lightning called, but she looked away and grabbed the purple box, "Fine." She growled and left the room. Truthfully, she already accepted it. She knew deep down they would never try again. Plus, it was to soon.. Her body wasn't ready even if they were. But.. She was already thinking the same thing about giving up and not having one, but to hear it in words from the love of her life. It didn't change how much that hurt.
Lightning watched her head in the bedroom, slamming the door. Lightning wiped his own eyes. That hurt like hell! He knew how much she wanted a baby, and after thinking about how they had been having sex and how she could be pregnant. Even though it's a long shot sense she had trouble getting pregnant when they were actually BOTH trying… He did not want to risk it. Ben's baby could have killed her. He wouldn't let his do that. He was afraid.. That's all it was. Simple as that. Afraid. Scared beyond measure that another pregnancy at her age could really do damage to her or worse. No. He knew it broke her heart and knew he just shattered her dreams, but.. He could not stomach the idea of her getting pregnant and something happening….
After some time, Lightning headed into the bedroom to check on Sally. She was angry so he gave her a little space before checking. He walked in the room only to hear her violently puking in the bathroom. Lightning sighed and walked over, announcing, "Sal.. I'm coming in." Before slowly opening the door. His eyes widened at what he saw. Sally looked at him and loudly cried, "I can't do it! I tried, I'm sorry! I can't!" She was crying hard! Snot and tears running down her face as she was sitting near the toilet.
Lightning knelt down and pulled her closely into his arms, against his chest. Sally still crying, "I can't kill our baby! I.. I know I'm probably not, but the idea?!… I.. I took the pill and I just.. I couldn't do it! My stomach hurt and I just started throwing up!!.. I'm sorry!…" She cried into his arms and felt like she failed at another thing. Lightning just held her tightly in his arms. "Oh Sally…" He whispered. Not sure how he felt about this. Yeah, he hurt her wanting to not ever have a baby now, but it was too much. He could not handle the idea of losing her.
His heart hurt and his eyes teared up as he held his crying wife. Kissing the top of her head. He was sorry, but he also wouldn't change his mind. He was too afraid. He sighed and whispered, "I'm sorry… It's gonna be okay, Sally.. I'll start being more careful.. Listen, It's going to be okay.. We can make sure you're not and start some kind of birth control again to be even safer.. Then we never have to go through this again." He assured. But it wasn't what Sally wanted to hear. But.. She didn't fight him. He was trying to protect her from herself. She'd kill herself and give everything to have a baby. So someone had to bring her back to the reality of what was best for her and best for their future.
Sally wiped her eyes and whimpered, "So?… You don't want any kids?.. Ever?" "I don't want any from you and I don't mean that how it sounds.. We can always adopt, okay?" He tried cheering her up, but he was being really bad at it right now. Sally just cried more. Nestling into his chest. Crying over his poor choice of words probably. Lightning sighed and held her close. Hugging her tightly as she cried. He just couldn't watch her suffer anymore. It was best this way…
The following morning, Bobby and Lightning went out to Willy's butte. The old dirt track. Lightning and Bobby sitting on some rocks next to the track. Smoking. Lightning sighed. Inhaling the drug and breathing out the smoke. Bobby looked at him and asked, "So you put your foot down with the whole baby thing, huh?" Lightning frowned answering, "I hated doing that to her.. But.. She can't do it. Not again. This was bad, Bobby.. I don't think she'll come back from another loss.." "I'm sorry.. How did she take it?" "At first she was angry, but she's calmed down this morning. She's upset with me, no doubt. But I think she understands.." Lightning answered.
"Sally and I talked about me going back to the racing scene. She said I could. She trusts me.." Bobby smiled as he smoked, "Great! I'm sure the teams will be excited!" "I'm not taking the job, Bobby. I'm not going back." Lightning growled. Staring at the ground. Bobby's expression changed. He tossed his cigarette down and asked, "Why not? You got the okay from the wife! Cal said he'd take you back. You won't have to be so miserable anymore." Bobby reminded.
Lightning glanced at his friend a moment before replying, "I'll be even more miserable if I lost Sally.. I can't spend more time away.. I already made her wait years for a baby that now, she's never going to have.. I pushed myself and could have avoided the accident if I had listened to her." Lightning said sternly. "I'm not going back. I can't risk my marriage when it's finally better. If I have to be miserable most of the time to get that little bit of bliss with Sally, that's fine. It's better than spending weeks away from home and barely seeing each other anymore.. I… I'm tired of that.." he admitted.
Bobby sighed and watched Lightning smoke a moment. God, this man was absolutely miserable. Sally was sucking his spirit away. He would be here for her, but lose himself in the process at this rate. "Lightning.. You can't let yourself fall apart for her like that. It's not okay… No woman is worth destroying who you are to be with her. Dude.. Talk to her.. Maybe she would come along?" "She'll say she will, but I know how it goes. She's done this over the years. Saying she'll start going to all the races and then work happens, something breaks at the motel, or something. I'm not falling for that again". Lightning grumbled. Bobby rolled his eyes. It was hopeless. "Fine. Lose yourself, I don't care." He griped then lit and smoked another.
Both sitting there. Staring out at the track. Bobby watched Lightning's sighs, his body language. He knew what it was. Sure, some of it was Sally, but he suspected more. "It's her, isn't it?" Bobby growled. Lightning looked at his friend and raised a brow, "Who?" "Cruz. You said you began having feelings for her. You're afraid that's gonna come back if you go back, aren't you!" Bobby snapped as he figured it out! Lightning stared a moment then frowned. "Yeah.. Yeah, a little bit." He admitted before tossing the bud.
Bobby sighed, "It's messy. You are not suppose to fall for the side chick." "Stop." "I'm serious. Think about it, she was okay sleeping with a married man! She was okay with destroying years of marriage for some dick. She's a slut. Fun and cute, and probably great to fuck, but a slut. She can't be trusted as anything more than a side piece." Bobby explained. Lightning thought about that. Sure, Bobby was kind of right, but Cruz was different. Lightning whined and rubbed his hands over his face with despair as he realized he was defending Cruz in his thoughts even.
Bobby then placed a hand over Lightning's shoulder and assured, "I'm always around to call and talk, man. Just because we live hours apart, don't mean I won't drive my as down here if you need me to. You tell me what your doctor says, alright? I don't want to worry more." Lightning smiled a little. Bobby was his closet friend. He could always confide in Bobby and never worry he would tell a soul. Unlike Cal. Cal had morals and shared everything with Meg and if he thought something had to said to someone, even if it would hurt someone, he'd tell. He would never keep Lightning's secrets…..
Lightning sat in one of the chairs in the exam room. Waiting for his doctor to come in. He sighed. He already knew it couldn't be anything but bad news. Suddenly the door opened. The doctor closed the door and asked how Lightning was doing as he sat down in the chair across from Lightning. "So?… What's the news?" Lightning asked. The doctor sighed, "I mean.. You were fine within minutes of being in the ambulance. I looked over everything and.. I do think this is from the accident. You are older, you suffered serious injuries… I'd be surprised if you came out of that healthy as a horse." He tried joking.
Lightning frowned. Not finding it funny. The doctor cleared his throat and continued, "The problem I'm having with this is that we don't have a complete fix for something like this. According to your logs, your blood pressure gets low sometimes but then it's normal most of the time. And I could give you medication to raise it higher to counter the next episode, but then you'd have high blood pressure and we just got another problem." "Next episode? You think this is going to happen again?" Lightning asked.
The doctor gently explained, "I've discussed finding and tests results with the er doctor you saw a few days ago.. Lightning.. You have Bradycardia and I believe it could the progressive kind. I'm gonna order a stress test. That way we can see exactly what is happening when you push yourself." "Progressive? What even is brady carda?" Lightning asked.
The doctor snickered then explained. "It's an abnormal slow pulse. Sometimes after chest trauma and a hit hard enough to the thoracic cavity can cause long term injury.. Like the accident. A normal heart should be between 60-100 beats per minute. But yours is holding a steady 48." "Is that why I get dizzy?" "It is definitely a factor. I can give medications to help. But the heart is more complex than say, arteries and blood pressure." "So is there a difference between this progression kind?" "Yes. I am going to monitor you for the next three weeks. You come in once a week with a log of your pulse and blood pressure daily. In three weeks and after the stress test, I should have a better picture of how to treat it." "How is it treated?" "That depends on if it's progressing. If not, I'm sure we can prescribe a few medications to control it with a few life changes to diet, exercise, and such. I'm hopeful it's not progressive."
Lightning's brows lowered as he snapped, "I'm not doing more pills. I don't want all these medications." "Are you having trouble taking them?" "No… Kind of.. i just.. I can't.. It's already making me feel numb and space out sometimes.. I don't have the energy to fight jt.. I just feel like sometimes this is all false happiness." The doctor stared a moment before replying to that, "That's the antidepressants.. Are you still finding yourself pretty depressed?" He asked. Lightning shook his head, "Not really." "So they are working. Lightning, these medications we would take are not chemical balancing like the antidepressant. This is health. If anything, you will feel stronger and healthier." The doctor assured.
Lightning still didn't feel easy about taking more medications. He had pills shoved down him from the President and the recreational times with Bobby. He just hated them. "What other options are there? Anything without more medications?" Lightning asked. The doctor sighed, "If it's progressive, sure. But it's surgery." "Like?.. Heart surgery?" He asked nervously. The doctor snickered, "No, of course not. Well, sort of. It's minor. It's implanting a pace maker. But that's in extreme and if it's progressing. I won't refer you if it's not progressing. We can control that with medications." Lightning sighed. More meds. Great.
The doctor then wrote something down on a paper and handed it to Lightning. "See the lady at the check out, have her schedule you with Sharon. She's mental health. She can figure out what you need for the depression." Lightning nodded and thanked his doctor before heading out. Lightning walked out of the halls and into the lobby of the clinic. Staring at the note the doctor gave him. He did not want to see mental health. He wasn't crazy or anything. And the depression was pretty well gone, so the medication was working for the most part. The lady at the front then asked, "Need anything Sir? A note or schedule another appointment."
Lightning glanced at her. The note in his hand then back at her and placed it in his pocket. "No. No, I'm good, thanks." "Have a great day." She called as he left. Lightning got into his car sighed. He was not going to mental health. They definitely would just shove more chemical altering pills down him. He wasn't having it….