Lightning parked the corvette into the garage and shut it off. He looked to his wife and apologized, "I'm sorry it couldn't have been a long trip." Sally only smiled and assured, "No, it's alright. It's the middle of the season and you are about to be racing for the cup. I understand. Besides, I really needed to get back to the motels." Lighting nodded then asked, "I leave tomorrow for Michigan. Are you coming along?" "I wish I could, Stickers. But I kind of have to play catch up with work after my absence." Lightning frowned with disappointment. Sally noticed and placed a hand on his knee assuring, "I'll make time. I'm not going to miss every one of your races. Just... I have work to." "No, no, no. I get it, I do. I just.. I'll miss this last week. It was amazing." Lightning said with a smile. It warmed Sally's heart to hear that. She leaned over and kissed her husband before getting out of the car grabbing a bag and heading inside. Lightning sighed. He hated that the honeymoon was over. But it was time to get his mind back on the track...

Lightning stood at the door of his trailer. Inside. Taking a deep breath puts on his sunglasses and takes a moment before stepping out to the track. Just mentally preparing for the press and flashing cameras. Lightning took another deep breath. Swiping his hair back with his hand. Rolling his shoulders, loosening up a bit. One more deep breath and telling himself, "I got this. I'm Lightning McQueen. I can do this. I can handle anything. Here we go." Then opened the door and was quickly crowded by fans, mics, press, cameras, and lots of questions. He just smiled and nodded and waved. Just walking and kind of ignoring everything that the press was shouting and mumbling and asking over one another.

Once Lightning made it to the track, the crowd was stopped by security. Lightning glanced back at them then shot a famous, Lightning McQueen smile as he lowered his glasses which made them cheer and scream and take a few photos. LIghtning chuckled and walked on and to his pits. There he came to the reminder that he fired his entire team. Including Leon. He sighed. "Crap.." He mumbled. Then Bobby walked up and greeted, "McQueen! Hey there, man!" Wrapping an arm around his buddy. Lightning smiled and greeted, "Hey." "How was the honeymoon?" "Great. Endless sex." "That's what it's supposed to be!" Bobby exclaimed! Lightning snickered at that then walked over to his tools and picked up his helmet. "Have you seen Rusty and Dusty?" He asked his fellow racer. Bobby shook his head. Lightning thanked him and began making his way to the sponsor tents.

There, he came across Tiffany. He stopped and waved at her, but she only glared at him. Crossing her arms and walking off in a snooty way. Yep. She was still pretty mad. Whatever. Lightning walked into the rusteze tent to find Rusty there talking to the President of the Sport. Lightning didn't like that. The President seemed to bring nothing but chaos. Lighting walked up and asked, "What's going on?" Rusty quickly smiled, "Lightning! How was the honeymoon?" "Great. What's he doing here?" The racer asked, crossing his arms. Rusty sighed and asked, "Did you have inappropriate relations with Tiffany O'Reilly?" "WHAT!?" Lightning was shocked! "Did she say that?" He asked rudely. Rusty opened his mouth, but the President motioned for him to stop and let him answer, "Tiffany did say you harassed her a few times and pressured her into a.. Uh.. Private meeting in your quarters." "Pressured her?! That's what she said?" Lightning questioned.

Rusty then said, "Yeah, well... I was just telling old presidentae here that there is no way that is true because of you and Sally.. Have been planning the wedding and.. YOu aren't the type to harass someone.. Right?" He asked with a worried expression. Lightning stared at his sponsor and at the President of the sport. His hesitation created an emotional wait. Rusty cleared his throat and said, "Go on.. Tell him there is no way that was you, Light.." Lightning sighed. He could tell the truth here and admit that he and Tiffany had a bit of a thing going on for a while... But what about Sally? She would leave him for sure.. Plus, his image! It would be ruined. But lying would make Tiffany look like the liar and a slut and a wannabe trophy girl. Lightning looked at the President and answered, "Tiffany is a lair. I never laid hands in her and I never pressured her into my quarters as she had worded it. I want to talk to Tiffany personally." He growled then left. Rusty placed his hands on his hips and said, "There you have it." The President wasn't sure that what he heard was the truth though...

Lightning walked straight up to Tiffany's truck trailer and knocked on the door. The door opened and Tiffany glared at Lightning. "What do you want? Should you even be over here?" She asked rudely. Lightning let himself inside, closing the trailer door behind him. Tiffany whined, "What are you doing? You can't just barge inside my trailer!" "Why did you tell?!" Lightning yelled in anger! Tiffany stared up into Lightning's eyes. Silent at first before frowning and answering, "It wasn't like I just decided to tattle tale. I was telling a close friend who told a few people and when the President heard, he questioned me about it.. I just.. Didn't lie." Lightning started in shock.

In his anger, he yelled "Are you fucking stupid!? Do you know what this could do to me!? The image I created for myself!? My wife!? My relationship with your Dad!?" Tiffany quickly explained, "First off, I never thought about any of that stuff! Second, did you when we were making out!?" Lightning sat on the couch to the side and whined, "I can not believe this... I could lose everything over this, Tiff..." Tiffany shrugged and argued, "I doubt that.. You are Lightning McQueen. You can kind of sort of do whatever you want and get away with it..." "You need to tell the PResident nothing happened." "Lie?" Questioned the girl. Lightning stared at her. That was very wrong of him to ask of her. He knew it was. But at the moment, it was the only thing he could think of.

"Tiffany.." He pleaded, "I have so much to lose.. I need you to fix this. If I try defending myself, I'll sound like I'm lying." "But you are." Tiffany corrected. Lightning whined. This was it. Everything was over a stupid little kiss! Tiffany thought a moment before speaking up with a bargain. "FIne. I'll tell the President I lied about it.. But you.. You will owe me. Got it?" LIghtning nodded as he stood up. Agreeing, "Yes, anything. Thank you, Tiffany." Tiffany glared and reminded, "I will probably be fired for this. You realize that?" Lightning hoped not. But honestly, Tiffany didn't care. She didn't entirely enjoy being a racer...

Lightning walked to his garage and went inside. Alone in his empty garage, he pulled out the mint container in his pocket. Opening it and taking two of the pills. Closing his eyes and taking a moment before heading back out there to figure out what he was going to do about a racing team. Knock, knock. Lightning quickly put the container back into his pocket and answered, "Come in." The door opened and Rusty walked on in. Lightning smiled and greeted, "Hey, Rusty. Everything alright?" He asked. Rusty nodded and apologized, "Yeah, sorry for having to ask you about that Tiffany thing. I knew you didn't do anything but needed it verbally said aloud, you know?" Lightning turned away and mumbled, "Yeah, I understand."

Rusty then asked, "So what's the plan, kid? You have to have a team for the cup." "I know, I'm trying to think." "We could just try and get the old crew back. Leon was really good with you." Rusty reminded. Lightning shook his head replying, "Leon was but someone on that old team hurt my car and jacked up the trailer. I could never trust them again." "Yeah.. You're right. I hate that that happened. And right before the Honeymoon too. How awful." "Yeah.." "Was it a good trip? Where's Sally? I honestly expected her to be here." The old man chuckled. Lightning shook his head answering, "Nah, she.. She had to catch up on work." "Relatable. Well, tell her we missed her when you do get back home." "Will do, Rusty." "Now... About a team.. I'll try and find some recruits but.. You should call Leon back at least. Doc did pick him out just for you." He reminded his racer. Lightning sighed. Doc did indeed pick Leon out.

Man, Lightning felt horrible. Firing Leon. He knew better. Leon didn't hurt the Bolt. Leon would never do such a thing. ANd the way Leon came and helped at the last race just because!? Leon was a good one. Lightning nodded. "Yeah, I'll call him in a sec.." "Good. See you on the track, kid. Make us proud like you always do." Said the sponsor before heading out. Lightning grabbed out his phone and pulled up Leon's name. Sighing but he had to get hooked back for good...

Lightning stepped into his pits. Grabbing his helmet and staring out at the track. Tony walking by growled, "Oh look.. IT's this year's loser." Lightning glared at Tony and asked, "Aren't you already out for the cup this season?" Tony only scoffed as he walked on. Lightning smiled saying, "That's what I thought." Putting his helmet over his head and getting into the Bolt. Revving up the engine and getting ready for a good and clean race. He caught a glimpse of Cal and Meg. Kissing before the race. Lightning sighed. He still wished Sally would be more like Meg a little. Not entirely, but just a little. Lighting admired how Meg put Cal above everything. How she revolved her life around him and his career. He saw Cal kneel down and rub Meg's belly. At first, Lightning wondered why but then he remembered that Meg was pregnant. He sighed. Sally wanted that already. Although part of him understood. They weren't exactly super young anymore. But he wasn't wanting to start trying already.

It made him a little sick to his stomach. Thinking that ally just might be pregnant after the honeymoon. They did it a lot and unprotected and he knew for a fact he came in her upticks times. All Lightning could say about was no going back on it now, right?...

"OH! And McQueen gets slammed into the wall!" Said the announcer. The co-anchor followed with, "Well, he's still going. Seems to have just scratched the passenger side of the Bolt." The other agrees.

Lightning pulled into his pits. But with no team. Mack was doing the best he could. It was slow. So slow and Lightning was behind by two and a half laps now. Lightning sighed. He had to get a team. He couldn't do this alone. He honestly wondered how he even made it his rookie year! Gunning it, Lighting got back into the race and track. Just trying to catch up at the bare minimum...

Lighting pulled the BOlt up into the trailer. Getting out and tossing the helmet onto the ground in anger. Crossing his arms and sort of pouting. He did this to himself though. He had no team which meant he would fall behind some. Lightning looked up at the wall. A photo of him and Doc. "I need you, Doc.." He admitted quietly aloud. "Ahem.." Cal grabbed Lightning's attention from outside the rear of the trailer. "Cal! Good race, buddy!" COmplimented the Rusteze racer. Cal snickered and shrugged, "Thanks. You did well. For no crew." "I got last.. Minus a lap.. I use to be able to catch up and pass everyone!" Lightning whined.

Cal nodded and reminded, "Well.. These new cars are tuned differently. Not to mention, we are getting older, McQueen." "You won." Lightning reminded in a growl. Cal smiled and nodded then asked, "How was the trip?" "Great. Sally and I had a wonderful time. It was nice. Being just us and no distractions." Admitted the blonde racer. Cal was glad to hear that. "Good. YOu tell Sally we missed seeing her. Although, I'm sure she and Meg will be talking all about the honeymoon within a few days." "If they haven't already." Joked Lightning. Cal chuckled at that. Lightning then asked, "Can I vent a little?" Cal shrugged and stepped further into the trailer with a sure, "Sure, man. WHat's up?" He asked. Lightning sighed.

Thinking a moment before spitting out words. "Sally wants to start trying. We agreed.. I got her to wait until the offseason but then in the heat of everything going on during the honeymoon... I kind of.. We.. Well, we're not preventing pregnancy." Cal stared a moment. Not sure what Lightning was getting at yet. So he just listened as Lightning continued, "So.. I'm not ready, Cal. But I can't tell her that. She has wanted this since the moment I proposed! I have to give her a baby and.. I don't want this. Not yet.. It sucks. I feel trapped..." "So let me get this straight... You don't want a kid?" "Not yet. Yet, Cal." "Just tell her that, man." "It's not that easy, Cal. What Sally wants, she gets." Lightning griped. Cal crossed his arms and asked, "Have you said anything to her? At all about how you feel?" "No.. Not recently.." LIghtning admitted.

Cal sighed and slapped his forehead. "Why are you so stupid.. Look.. Talk to Sally. She is your wife now, Lightnin'. She can't make you do something you don't want. Not. Something this huge. A kid is a huge thing. Talk to her. She'll understand. I'm sure of it." Lightning just nodded. Not sure Sally would actually but at least he got it off his chest to someone who he could trust with just about any deep and dark secret...

Lightning packed up his trailer when a man walked up and greeted, "Mister McQueen, got a moment?" The lighting turned around to see O'Reilly. Lightning's eyes widened. A little worried that this would wind up bent something about Tiffany. Lightning swallowed nervously before answering, "Sure, yeah.. What's up?" He asked. O'Reilly walked over and placed his hands into his pockets before speaking. "Tiffany talked to me." "Oh..." "She says that she wants to quit racing altogether." "What?" "Yeah, I know. I was hoping that... Well.. I don't know. That maybe you take her back under your wing and get her into the sport again." "Oh.." "I know you've been through a lot this past year but.. OH! And congrats! You and Sally are a beautiful couple." O'Reilly complimented. Lightning nodded and thanked his future boss. But had to be honest. "Tiffany doesn't like racing as you think.. She just likes the attention.."

O'Reilly stared at Lightning. His brows lowered. "Excuse me?" LIghtning nervously continued, "Tiffany never cared for it. She's.. She's just not a racer, Sir. She keeps falling behind and complains to me all the time about it. She blows off practices to hang out with other racers and parties a lot.. She gets away with a lot of it just because you are friends with the President... Sir.." O'Reilly stepped closer to Lightning. Almost up into the racer's face. Lightning looked down. Fearing the worst. O'Reilly sighed and asked, "What would you suggest, champion?" That grabbed Lighting's attention back up. O'Reilly continued, "Give up on my daughter because she shows a lack of interest or pushes her harder to help her get better? What would a champion's advice be then?" He asked in a deep tone. As if he were angry with Lightning.

Lightning shook his head answering, "I'm not the one to decide that for Tiffany. And honestly.. I.. I've grown to close to answer that..." LIghtning frowned. O'Reilly grabbed LIghtning by the collar of his suit and got into the racer's face as he growled, "You get Tiffany back into racing and you start working with Tiffany again. Make her better. I hired you for a reason, Lightning. And it's not because I thought you would keep it in your pants just because you were in a committed relationship. You are an arrogant, womanizing racer like the rest. I don't care what you do with my daughter, just as long as she improves." "But-Sir-I"-"I suggest staying on my good side so that you can continue to get away with things just like Tiff." He threatened as he grabbed the mint box out of Lightning's pocket. LIghting's eyes widened. "How did you know?..." Lightning mumbled. O'Reilly shoved the racer back and tossed the box to him before answering, "Tiffany helps me make sure that my investments don't cause me too much trouble and stay on the path I want."

Lightning was furious and felt so betrayed. He glared at his future employer and growled, "You are just like all the rest. Using people like me for your own pleasure! It's sick!" O'Reilly sighed and shook his head correcting, "I did not do that to you. I hired you in the interest that you would help my daughter improve driving and rise in a career in auto racing. You are the champion, after all. Aren't you?" He asked. Lightning glared at O'Reilly. Still just furious. "You better help her improve. I don't even care how you do it." "No. I quit. I can't coach her. I'm not a mentor." This made O'Reilly chuckle which turned into a laugh. Lightning started with confusion. O'Reilly sighed and continued, "You can't quit. You signed the contract.. Look, I was nice, I tried being understanding after that shooting but... I can't lose my investment.."

As he began to turn to leave, Lightning stopped him, asking, "Do you mean me or your daughter?" O'Reilly stopped and sighed before answering, "You are both investments. But Tiffany is my own blood. Don't worry though. If everything goes the way I hope it does, you will be just like blood family to me before long. I have very high hopes for you, Lightning. I want you and I will do anything to keep you. That can be extremely good for you or... Extremely dangerous for you.. But that is entirely up to you." Then he turned and walked away.

Lightning stared at the mint box in his hand. Confused and betrayed. How was he supposed to deal with this? He needed to look at that contract and he needed to talk to Tiffany. Something didn't seem right to him. The way Tiffany talked and then the way her father did... Something was not lining up...