The family got home and as Lightning began to open the door, Sally stopped him, grabbing his arm. "Hey, hold on." Lightning shut the car door and watched his family go on in inside the house. Sally looked at him with a smile and said "Thanks for bringing me to meet your family. I really do like them." That made Lightning smile of course. "You're welcome." he replied. He then began to get out of the car again when Sally stopped him again. "And I want you to know I really have had a good time here to." "That's good.. Although, you were acting a little crazy when we first got here." "I was not." scolded Sally. "I just felt... So out of place.. I closed up when I should have been more open to everything this town has to offer. I'm sorry for that." She apologized. Lightning still smiled at his girl then leaned close saying "It's fine. All is forgiven. Come on, let's go inside."

As Lightning reached for the door again, Sally stopped him by pulling him to her and kissing him before he could argue! Lightning was surprised, but quickly let her entangle him in her lips. Her tongue entered his mouth and though he absolutely loved her affection. Lightning broke the kiss, pulling away with a goofy smile on his face. "What has gotten into you?" he asked. Sally shrugged answering "Nothing. Like you said, let's go inside." "Well now I want to sit here and make out with you." Lightning teased, rubbing her knee. Sally giggled and pushed him away. "Haven't you had enough!?" She laughed. Lightning shook his head. "Hardly." Sally only rolled her eyes then got out the car along with Lightning.

The two walked up the steps and when Lightning opened the door, "SURPRISE!" was shouted loudly, confetti thrown at him and everyone applauded! Lightning was confused and shocked to see his family, most of this family here! "What is all this?" he asked. Sally grabbed Lightning's arm answering "This is for you silly!" "You did this?" He asked. Sally shrugged then Minty answered "She had the idea. And we all worked together." Chad butted in saying "But Sally was the one who organized this all. Definitely couldn't have done this without her."

Lightning looked at Sally with a surprised expression. "Sal, you really shouldn't have.. I thought I told you I don't do birthdays.." "Oh I know!" Sally replied with a smile. "That's why this isn't a surprise birthday party." "It's not?" Lightning was lost. Minty spoke up answering "Nope. It's a Congratulations on your first PISTON CUP MONTY!" Chad's brows lowered as he whined "Hey I was gonna say that part.." then dropped the banner that read the words Congrats on your first big win!

Lightning chucked as he saw that then looked at Sally with a gazing smile. "I can't believe you did this. You and everyone else." He said happily. Sally smiled saying "You deserve it. Minty was amazing at helping me with this. Thanks Minty." she said. Minty smiled happily. "Anything for you honey. And you save my number in your phone right? Because you can call anytime and help me keep up to date with Monty's career." she replied. Sally nodded and answered "Yes mam, of course. I can't wait for you to visit Radiator Springs." Lightning really did love the little party that Sally and his Mother set up, and loved getting to see Neil and Allison to. But mostly, he loved having Sally and Minty getting along so well and exchanging numbers and talking and both cared about him deeply clearly...

Lightning lay in bed asleep when he was woken by the bed being shook a bit. He opened his eyes and looked over to see Sally crawling up into bed next to him. He smiled and quietly greeted "Hey." Sally smiled back and she snuggled up against him. Lightning wrapped his arm around her asking "Trouble sleeping?" Sally sighed, turning into a yawn. "I just wanted to sleep with you tonight. Is that okay?" She asked. Lightning snickered. "Of course it is. I love when you stay the night with me." After that, it got quiet for a few minutes. "Hey, Stickers?" Sally cooed. "Hmm?" "I love you." "Love you more Sal.." He yawned. "Night." "Good night."...

Lightning hugged his Mother in the early morning. "Thanks for everything Mom. I loved seeing you guys." He said. Minty hugged her son tightly in her arms and smiled, "I am so happy you came Mon. And Thank you or bringing this young lady." She then went and hugged Sally. "You are such a delight Sally.l" she complimented. "Awe.. Thanks." Replied Sally. "You too." Minty stepped back and gazed at her son and his girlfriend. "Better visit again soon you two." Minty added. Lightning nodded again, agreeing. Sally nodded to. Minty hugged her youngest son one last time then turned to Sally and said "You take care of him for me." "I will. Always do." Sally assured. "Bye Mom." Added Lightning before he and Sally headed back home to Radiator Springs...

"Alright, you had your vacations." Said Doc. "Time to get back to training." "Doc, relax. I am a champion now. I don't need much practice. Especially none of that mud training or jumps again." Lightning griped. Doc snickered and scolded "There's that cockiness again. That is going to get you into trouble one day. Look, today, we'll keep it simple." He assured then walked up to the road, the very same place Lightning paved over and over. "You get to race down the strip and back. Drift carefully with each turn, curve. Move gently with each hill like a wave. Got it?" He asked the young racer.

Lightning nodded with excitement, pumping up. "Oh yeah! I got this! Maybe I'll even beat my personal best speed here." "Unlikely." Doc growled. "One last detail. You'll be using used tires." "Used? Isn't that dangerous? I mean how used we talkin about here?" Lightning asked. Doc walked over to the side where Guido and Luige were waiting. Lightning began looking at the tires while Doc explained. "You lost the first race to the cup due to worn tires and a little bit of stupidity. I want you to learn from that." "I did. I always pit if the tires feel slick." "Good, but I don't want you to pit. I want you to learn control. Set him up Guido." "Woah, woah, what if I bust a tire and wreck?" Lightning whined.

Doc looked to the kid and shook his head. "You won't wreck. Might spin a few times into a ditch, but you'll learn." Doc assured. Lightning sighed and watched Guido set the old tires onto the Bolt then go in and lessons began. Lightning easily made it down the strip where Sheriff had blocked off roads and set barriers in case. Just to be safe for other people walking around and or driving. That first good turn came around and as Lightning turned to drift, he spun out and slung the back end of the race car around, throwing himself into the ditch.

Doc only ordered for him to try again, and again, and again. Until he finally made it by! "YES! Woohoo! Did you see that! I drifted past it! I actually did it!" Shouted Lightning through the radio. Doc's eyes widened as he snapped back "Watch the road, WATCH THE ROAD!" Lightning looked ahead to see the sharp turn ahead and his speed was to fast! He pulled the break and tried drifting which whipped the back around and made the car spin in circles countless times! Flinging dust and rocks everywhere!

Until it slowed to a stop. Lightning felt super dizzy as he shook his head and took a minute ti recover from that. "You okay kid?" Asked Doc over the radio. Lightning took a deep breath before answering. "Yeah, yeah.. I'm fine. Little shook up, but I'm good." Doc chuckled. "Good. Let's take a break, try again later." "No. NO, I can do this. Let's go again." Said Lightning. Doc was a bit surprised, but also very proud. Lightning was determined and willing to learn. "You sure?" Doc asked. Lightning nodded answering into the radio, "Yeah, I couldn't be more sure. Let's go again."...

Sally was about done with some extra paperwork she had to finish about Wheel Well as she sat in her office at the cozy cone when her phone buzzed. She turned and looked with a smile at who it was.

Lightning

Hey Sal, I'm bout done with practice. Want to meet me at Flo's for dinner?

Oh how she wanted to, but she had to take care of the Cozy cone. Vacation often meant extra cleaning to do around the place.

Sally

No, can't. I have so much to do around here and I want to get done before locking up or I will be flooded all morning tomorrow. I just finished up a small break just to finish working on Wheel well.

Lightning

Well why don't I bring dinner to you?

Sally

Would be nice, but I won't have time to just sit and eat until I'm done. Thanks anyway Stickers.

She figured that was the end of the conversation, but after a minute or two, her phone buzzed again.

Lightning

I could help. Let me help. I can clean. Why don't you relax for the rest of the night and we go to dinner and I will help you catch up in the morning?

Sally sat and thought about that. Lightning helping out and taking the night off to relax. Though they did just get back from a pretty relaxing vacation.

Sally

No, it's fine. You need more rest than me with all the work and practice Doc is going to be having you do. You have less than a month before the season right?

Lightning

Two actually. One month before I have to start shooting adds and getting some interviews started about the new season and then there is pre qualifying for the season still and all the new gear, but tonight I wanna be with you.

Sally

You can be sweet and it's awful tempting.

Lightning

You know you want to. Plus, I wanted to ask you about something.

Sally

what?

Lightning

Well sense you see most or all the towns documents, thought you'd be the one to ask. Are there any houses actually for sale in Radiator Springs? Thinking about getting an actual place instead of the tiny motel. not that there's something wrong with the room.

Sally

That's a lot harder than you think.

Lightning

Please don't go all attorney on me right now. Come on, date night?

Sally sighed and thought about it.

Sally

Only if you actually help me in the morning. I will write you a list of the stuff I need help with.

Lightning glared at that before replying

Great... Can't wait...

Sally

I'll bring it to dinner.

Lightning

Leave it at your place, date is going to end there anyway.

Sally

You think so?

Lightning

I do. Meet you at Flo's? Love you.

Sally

K. Love you to...

Sally walked into the diner and was immediately greeted by her man."Hey love." "Oh. Hey." She greeted back. Lightning smiled happily and pulled her close. "How was your day so far?" He asked. Sally pushed away and scolded "Oh wow you are covered in dirt and dust. What were you doing out there with Doc today?" Lightning shrugged answering "Training. Anyway, want to sit down for dinner. I'm pretty starved myself." Sally nodded. "Sure Stickers." The two walked over and sat at a table. "Thanks for convincing me to relax tonight. I should take a real break from time to time." Lightning snickered hearing that and replied. "Totally. And thanks for joining me. I knew you couldn't resist though." "Oh please, don't flatter yourself." "I will. So how is Wheel Well coming along now?" Asked Lightning. Sally sighed answering "It's.. A lot of work and a lot of trouble, but.. It'll be worth it." "Going to make you incredibly busy once it opens." Lightning reminded. Sally nodded agreeing. "Yeah, it will."

"Still have time for us?" Lightning asked. Sally giggled answering. "Of course! I won't put work before our relationship." Which was true, but also, Sally would work to the point she would get lost in all the work. Lightning knew this happened already occasionally, and probably would in the future. "You really will help me with the Cone tomorrow?" Asked Sally. Lightning nodded. "Yeah. I promise you babe. And I'll help you with Wheel Well to." He assured. That made Sally very happy and thankful for her boyfriend. "Think it'll still open for Christmas?" HE asked. Sally sighed and thought a moment before answering with a shrug. Lightning placed his hand on hers and smiled saying. "It will. I'll go up there tomorrow evening and start getting a look into what needs done." Sally raised a brow asking "You are going to work on the place?" "Hey, I can be quite handy." Lightning griped. Sally giggled and agreed, but "On a car." "And with other stuff." Lightning assured. Sally nodded and honestly wouldn't mid the extra help or second opinion rather than just Hank's.

After dinner, the couple did indeed go back to Sally's place. Lightning walked Sally into her little motel room, where Sally asked about Lightning's idea from earlier. "So you think you might want your own place in town now?" Lightning shrugged answering. "Maybe. I mean the motel room is nice. I love the.. Cone.. decor... But I don't know.. It's small. Can't exactly have a party or friends over or anything in it." "Oh? So you just want a party pad now?" Sally asked with a laugh. Lightning snickered and shook his head. "No. But that could be kind of cool." He admitted. Sally only rolled her eyes hearing that.

"Okay, so here's the list of things you can do tomorrow morning to help me." She said, handing Lightning a very organized list. "Make sure to do all this in the order I wrote it please." Lightning glanced at it and sighed before looking at Sally and nodding. "Alright.. In order." He agreed before folding it up into his back pocket. "Now can we get to the part where we make out?" He asked as he reached or his girl. Sally giggled as she stepped away. "No!" She laughed. "I want to shower first." "Shower? But you'll have to shower after I'm done with you anyway.. It can wait." Lightning whined. Sally laughed and shook her head. "No, it can't Stickers. Plus I need to shave." "Shave? Really? I don't care what you look like anywhere. Especially right now." HE said as he reached for her again. Sally only stepped back again with a short and small giggle. "Stop!" She laughed. "I smell from working all day and I need to shave. I don't care what you say charming. You will just have to wait until I get out." "Well..." Lightning sighed. "I do love the way you smell after a shower." And he really did. She always smelled like a faint freshly done laundry, roses, and a bit of an odd perfume.

"So I can shower?" Sally asked. "In peace?" She added. Lightning chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, I'll wait here for you." So Sally went off to shower while Lightning sat down and turned on the tv for a bit. Though he was tempted to peek, he didn't and let her clean up and shave in peace...

Sally finished drying her hair with a towel and put on a silky gown that was short and comfy before opening the door and stepping out. "Hey, I'm all fresh and clean now Stickers." She called. Tossing the towel into the small hamper for her dirty clothes near the door. "Stickers?" She called as he didn't reply. Sally walked around the corner to the living room set up to see Lightning passed out asleep on the couch. She smiled as she gazed down at him. All dirty and covered in dirt and grease. Smelled of burned car fuel or oil. He trained hard today and did a lot. Lightning worked hard for his career and to be the best and Doc did anything but take it easy on the young racer. Sally lean down and kissed his forehead. "Love you Stickers.." Then tossed a blanket on him before heading to her own bed for the night...

Over the next few weeks, it was like this a lot for Sally and Lightning. Lightning would be off training with Doc or working with his sponsors out of town, while Sally was back home working with the Cozy cone, on Wheel Well for it's big opening, and still doing her duties as the attorney of Radiator Springs. By the time they had a moment together, both would be so worn out and tired that they'd wind up skipping date nights and just watching a bit of a movie before passing out asleep. It did worry Sally and Lightning both with the grand opening of Wheel Well and Christmas right around the corner...