Sally walked by the couch to see Lightning passed out on it. Hadn't even changed out of his dirty clothes. Two days. It had been two days sense he got back and Doc was pushing him every day of just about every minute. If Lightning wasn't sleeping, he was in that car racing. Sally sighed. Lightning had one more full day before heading back out to a race. Mid year now.. Just a few more months then he'd get a good break. But at this rate, Lightning was going to hurt himself racing.

He was too tired to be driving. Doc needed to let up. She knew Lightning was suppose to meet with Doc early. Four a.m. Sally decided to take this into her own hands a bit though and shut off Lightning's alarm before she went to lay down for bed. She planned to get up and talk to Doc about all this training. She just really hoped that Lightning wouldn't be to upset that she stepped in here...

Doc stood outside, leaning on the old Hudson Hornet. Waiting for Lightning to get out here. He glanced at his watch. 4.02 a.m. He was late. Doc sighed then heard a car. He looked over to see the blue porsche pull up. At first, Doc worried that Lightning did something to the red race car, but then once parked, just Sally got out the driver seat. Doc quickly asked "Where's Lightning?" She approached answering "Sleeping in." Doc's brows raised. "Why? I told him to meet me out here at four."

Sally sighed and asked "Why are you pushing him so hard Doc? You're killing him." Doc stared a moment as Sally continued. "He is so tired and hasn't gotten proper sleep.. And from he has told me, you're not even teaching him things that he will be able to use racing. What's going on with you?.." Doc snickered rudely and explained "I am teaching him racing techniques. He may use them one day. May need them. Lightning is a good racer Sally. But he can be the best." "Not at this rate!" Sally snapped.

Doc sighed. Sally continued "Doc, he's tired.. He has to leave tomorrow for a race in Tennessee and all you can do is push him. He won't be able to race if he's too tired to see the track." Doc nodded. "Alright.. I'll come by later to check on him. But I have good intentions. I have my reasons Sally." Doc assured. Sally nodded and walked back to her car. Doc usually did, but he was just pushing too hard in too short of time...

Sally shut the door of the house and walked up to the couch. Lightning was still passed out asleep. She smiled and gazed down at him a moment then leaned down and kissed the side of his face. "Love you Stickers.. Get some rest.." she grabbed a pen and paper and left a note on the fridge freezer door before she headed to work herself for the day...

Lightning opened his eyes. He felt so good and well rested and "Oh no." He sat up in panic. Patting his pockets for his phone. Standing up and looking everywhere for it then he saw the time on the oven. 3.45! Lightning rushed by the fridge then stopped. He saw the note and walked back, grabbing from the door of the freezer and reading it.

Morning Stickers, I shut off your alarm and talked with Doc. You needed sleep! So he let you sleep in. I'll be home around five. I'll cook something up when I get home as I'm sure you will be hungry. Love you! Have a good day.

Lightning sighed. Thinking. For one, thank you Sally! Another, was Doc really okay with letting him sleep in? Lightning went to the garage to find the Bolt. He stared a moment. He knew the car of tomorrow meant he would be getting a new race car. Staring at his old car, he decided it was time he stop messing with it and tuning it. As there was no reason to anymore.

Knock, knock, knock. Lightning heard. He quickly rushed to the front door and opened it. Doc. "Doc! Hey.." Doc smiled asking "How you feelin kid?" Lightning shrugged answering "Good.. Better! Rested." "Good to hear. Sorry I've been workin you so hard, but I've had to." "Well.. I wouldn't say that you had to, but..." Lightning muttered. Doc sighed then came inside the house and asked "Have you heard the weight of the car?" "No, why?" Asked Lightning as he closed the door.

Doc nodded asking "Do you want it tuned up exactly like your prior cars?" Lightning snickered. "Obviously." He answered. Doc nodded again then explained "Then you need to diet. Gotta lose seven pounds." Lightning immediately started whining "Ugh, are you kidding me?... I don't have anymore weight to loose!" "Well if you want the same tune up, seven pounds. I don't make the rules kid." Doc reminded. Lightning sighed and shook his head. He hated this car. Doc then placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "Gonna be tight on money for a bit to." Lightning raised a brow asking "Why?..." "Because I ordered three of the cars instead of two." "What!? You already signed off to have me drive that stupid thing!? You should have talked to me first!" Lightning yelled.

Doc quickly explained "It's going to be the new standard anyway. You won't have a choice. But I went ahead and ordered three so you and I could have our own test run on it." Lightning became intrigued. "Okay.. Okay, I'm listening." He replied. Doc smiled and explained "We are going to set it up, rig it up to crash three ways. Hit a wall, roll over and get rear ended. Top three styles of accidents out there. See how this thing holds up against the Bolt the same way." Lightning nodded and liked the idea then "Wait? What do you mean against the Bolt the same way?" Doc hesitated.

Lightning's eyes widened slowly as he figured it out. "OH No. No, no, no! You are not wrecking my car!" "Need to see the difference. I already bought three of them cars, don't have money for another one." Lightning just whined "Doc, please.. Not the Bolt. The bolt is"-"Just a car. You have a weird relationship with that thing anyway." Lightning crossed his arms pouting. Doc then asked "Ready for more training?" Lightning stared a moment. What else could Doc possibly have in mind!? He wondered.

"Not really..." answered the kid. Doc smiled saying "Good. See you at seven tonight." Then left. Lightning sighed. No. No more training. He was tired of it and his hands hurt, his eyes hurt, his back hurt, everything hurt!...

Lightning and Sally finished up dinner. Sally stood up first and took up the dishes asking "Want any desert or something tonight?" Lightning sighed answering "No.. Actually I have to go meet Doc for more training." Sally stopped and stared. "Again? Seriously!?.. I thought he was giving you a break to sleep in?" She questioned. Lightning nodded. "He did and I slept. Time to get back to work." "No. Please.. Stay here Stickers.." she pleaded as she set the dishes back on the table and approached him.

Lightning stood up and Sally wrapped her arms around him. "I have barely got to spend any time with you and I really want a little us time before you head out for the race." Lightning sighed and hugged her closely. "I did to.. I'm sorry.. I'll make it quick and be home before you go to bed." "Better Mister.. I miss you." She pouted. Lightning smiled and kind of liked that she missed him so much. He kissed her forehead and said "I love you Sally." Sally smiled back replying "I love you too Lightning. Now go on and meet up with Doc.." "Sure you won't be mad?" "Of course not.. But you better make it up to me later." She flirted. Lightning liked the sound of that and nodded.

"OH I will. I plan to make it up to you for a few hours." Sally rolled her eyes with a smile then stepped around him saying "You better go before I pull you into that bedroom than." Slapping his but. Lightning snickered replying "Watch yourself. You might not be able to handle it later." He winked then walked away, grabbed his keys and called "Love you!" "Love you! Be safe!" Sally called back. Lightning with "Always am!" Door shut behind him.

Sally sighed. She really missed her boyfriend these last few weeks as he was always busy with Doc or frustrated and trying to figure out how to handle Kyle. Seemed like there was always something in the way at times...

Lightning returned to the house and fell onto the couch. Sally walked in the room and giggled asking "Tired?" Lightning sighed and looked up at her answering "Extremely.." Sally smiled then sat at the end near his feet. "You know.. You could always tell Doc you are going to take a week off." "What? Why would I do that?" "Because you are way to exhausted for this. I don't know what has gotten into Doc lately, but it is killing you."

Lightning snickered and disagreed. "I wouldn't say it's killing me..." sally raised a brow, giving Lightning a look. He faked a laugh then sat up. "Yeah.. Okay.." He mumbled. Sally scooted over right next to him and rubbed her hand over his back. "It's okay to be a little weak sometimes Stickers.." He shrugged then shook his head. "I hate loosing on purpose.." He admitted. Sally frowned a bit. She hated seeing his spirit break a little.

Sally shrugged saying "Than don't." Lightning looked at her. Gazing into her eyes. He slowly smiled. If anyone could cheer him up and make him feel better, it was her. The most amazing woman on earth. "I really love you Sally." He cooed. Sally smiled back with "I really love you to Lightning." Slowly they kissed. A gentle, tender, loving and short kiss. Even through that kiss though, Sally could tell that Lightning was dog tired.

Lightning let out a sigh and lay his head on his girl's shoulder. "Are you hungry?" Sally asked. Lightning yawned answering "No.. Just.. Tired.. But I'm still going to make it up to you tonight.." He added. Sally pushed him off her asking "Really? You seem pretty tired." "I promised, didn't I?" "Well.. Yes, but.. You leave tomorrow. Why don't you take a rain check." She suggested. Lightning stared at her unsure. "But.. That would mean like.. Two weeks without.. Anything. Can we do that?" He asked. That made Sally laugh!

"Yes!" She answered. Lightning sighed. He hated that. He loved sex, but it also was a way they felt connected. As it should be. "Yeah.. Okay.. Thanks." He replied. sally nodded then kissed his cheek. "Go on and shower. You stink." She griped playfully. Lightning snickered and agreed to that before they both headed to bed. Lightning falling asleep rather quickly...

Lightning stepped out of his trailer and headed towards his team's pits when he was approached by Bobby. "Hey man.." "Hey Bobby.." Lightning softly greeted. Bobby Stopped, stopping Lightning then said "I wanted to apologize for how I acted before.. My fault. I made a bad move.. I knew it.. You knew it.. I'm sorry. We cool?" Lightning yawned and nodded answering "Yeah... We're cool." Bobby raised a brow asking "You okay? Lookin a little tired there. Haha! Girlfriend keep you up all night?" He winked and nudged Lightning hinting that he had a vigtorous night,

Lightning yawned, shaking his head. "I wish.. Just extra training Doc has me doing.." "Really?" Lightning then nodded. Bobby snickered replying "Well... Anyway.. What's the plan?" he asked. Lightning raised a brow asking. "Plan?" "Yeah, plan. You know? To teach Kyle a lesson." "Oh.. That plan.. Right.. Um.. Listen Bobby, I don't think we really should take this into our hands after all.. I mean.. The accident was.. Probably an accident really and"-"Are you kidding me McQueen!? Nothing Kyle does is ever an accident! He went too far this time! He wrecked Cal."

Lightning glared and corrected "I wrecked Cal.." Bobby disagreed saying "Agree to disagree. Kyle needs to pay. For Cal!" He hit his fist into his hand. Lightning sighed. Thinking. Yea, he wanted to get back at Kyle, but.. Probably shouldn't. Bobby placed a hand on Lightning's shoulder and tried giving Lightning that push he needed. "Come on.. You talked about a trick then what now? Backed out?" "I know Bobby.. It's not like that, I've just had time to think and"-"LOOK! I'm going to teach that driver a lesson. Now you're either with me or you're not. What's it gonna be McQueen?" Bobby asked rudely.

Lightning stared at his friend. Sure, Kyle deserved it, but.. Not sure, and not wanting to fight much due to the lack of proper sleep, Lightning nodded. "Yeah.. Yeah, okay. I'm with you Bobby." "GREAT! Now.. Question is how?.." Lightning shrugged. "I have to loose today." "Why? I mean.. Not to sound rude here, but you've ben loosing.. A lot lately." Lightning glared at that reminder then explained. "I told the president I would let Tony take the wins without a fight. Let that car look good. Not to mention, Doc bought a few and wants to do some crash testing against my Bolt.." He griped.

Bobby shrugged. "Might be good. I'd like to see that. I want to know if this thing really is safer or not." "It's not. Just no way." Lightning growled. Bobby shrugged again. "Not sure. It might be and honestly... I'd like to know that I'm out there in the safest thing on the track. Gotta protect the boys, am I right?" He winked. Lightning just rolled his eyes.

Then Bobby had an idea! "Wait.. So Kyle thinks you're backing off today?" He asked his friend. Lightning shrugged answering "Possibly. Probably. I'd say so sense I told the president." "Good. Then we have the trick.. All you gotta do is lay low and then last minute, you and I will sling shot on both sides. We line up, drafting off each other, pick up speed, catch up to Tony and pass the new car." Lightning hesitated speaking his thoughts on that.

Could work, but didn't sound right sense he had just told the official president of the sport he wouldn't do something like that. That would rip a lot of trust out for Lightning. "I don't know Bobby.. can't we just.. Lay low, race, get this over with and go have drinks or somethin?.." Lightning seemed pathetic, tired, giving up already. Bobby's brows lowered. "He wrecked Cal man!" He reminded. Lightning only snapped back with "And do you think Cal would actually want this!?" Al though he knew Cal did tell him to make Kyle pay for what he did.

Bobby stepped up into Lightning's face answering "YES! And Cal would do it for me! He'd do it for you!" He shouted. Lightning sighed. He did not really want to, but Bobby was right. Cal would do it for them. "Fine." Lightning growled. "I'll do it.. Just tell me when."...

15 laps to go. Tony has a huge lead. Kyle is right behind him though. That new car of tomorrow sure is dominating the track! Even beating piston cup winners like Cal Withers and Lightning McQueen.

10 laps to go...

Bobby and Lightning drove side by side, right behind Kyle. Lightning looked over at Bobby. Still unsure of the plan here. Well, not the plan. Lightning knew the plan, he just wasn't so sure he really wanted to do this. Lightning slowed up. "You okay kid?" Asked Doc. Lightning nodded answering into the radio. "Yeah, yeah.. I'm fine.." Sure didn't sound like it. Doc frowned. Maybe he had been pushing the young racer too far.

"Lok.. After today.. Maybe we take a day or two off. Sally's right.. I've been pushing you way too hard and"-"It's not that Doc.. I mean, sure.. Been.. More tired than usual, but.." He paused. Doc was concerned. "What is it?" He asked. Lightning sighed and glanced over at Bobby before answering "Nothing.. Forget about it." Doc didn't mention it again or push, but he was worried.

Doc looked down at the team and asked Luige, "How we lookin out there?" Luige looked up answering "Excellent boss." "Good." But Doc was still concerned...

6 laps to go. Bobby gunned it towards Kyle. Lightning knew it was time to act. He gunned it ahead and as Kyle blocked Bobby, Lightning darted around him!

Looks like the car of tomorrow has something to worry about now. Said the announcers.

Tony looked behind him to see McQueen coming up fast. Now, Tony knew and believed that Lightning agreed to loose to the car. Which meant that Lightning might put on a show, but he shouldn't pass Tony whatsoever.

Lightning cam up right behind Tony's rear. Nose to bumper for a few laps.

Final lap.

Lightning knew he could do it quite easily. He could fake right, fake left, and dart around Tony, stealing the finish and thus beating the car of tomorrow. But he sighed. He told the president he would loose and he should keep his word, but then Bobby.. Bobby wanted Lightning to push forward and win and honestly, Lightning kind of did to. It wasn't fair that he should loose to a car that wasn't even properly tested yet, a car that he didn't believe in.

Bobby gave the signal. Lightning saw it and Bobby knew that he saw it to. As Bobby positioned himself.. Lightning.. Just couldn't do it. After what had happened to Cal.. His Mother was right. Don't wreck some one. Revenge was not the answer here. So Lightning backed down. Easing off the pedal and leaving Bobby hanging. Bobby would of course be pissed, but Lightning would have done the right thing, even if he didn't believe that a staged race wasn't the right thing either...

Lightning parked the car into his garage just in time to find Bobby walking in. "What was that!?" Yelled Bobby as Lightning got out the car. Lightning sighed and explained "I told the president I would lose.. So I did." "But the plan!?"-"Was a bad idea and could have gotten us black flagged or worse, banned! Is that what you want Bobby!?" Lightning asked in anger. Bobby's brows lowered. "Of course not! But he deserved to get a taste of his own medicine Light!" Bobby argued. Lightning shook his head and pointed to the door ordering Bobby to "GET OUT!" "FINE!" Bobby yelled back and stomped out. Lightning sighed with relief. He hated losing, but he told the president he would, so he did.. Even if he hated it.. He just hoped that he made the right choice here in the long run...