Lightning woke up before Sally. She was still passed out and naked in the bed. He yawned and rubbed his eyes. He felt and.. Smelled like sex. He shivered at the scent. Funny how good sex smelt while doing it, but afterward. Wow. Lightning crawled out of the bed and walked to the bathroom to shower. He needed one badly...

After his shower, he walked out to find Sally was out of the room. Probably went to make coffee. So Lightning grabbed some clothes out of the dresser, got dressed then back to the bathroom to finish freshening up. Brushing his teeth, hair, deodorant, etc. He brushed his fingers over his cheek and chin. Starting to show more stubble than he liked. He was going to need to shave later. He thought about last night. It was so great. Up until Sally began crying herself to sleep. Why was she so crazy emotional like that? It wasn't normal. Once again, it crossed his mind. Was she pregnant? He remembered what Bobby said about how Jesse was like that. Emotional. But Sally was on birth control and she would tell him if she were.

Not that he'd be happy about it though. Oh god. What if she were and she was hiding it and that's why she was acting so strange. Changing who she was, what she liked, her hair, her emotions. Meg was even afraid that Sally would take off! He needed reassurance. He needed to know that he was just overthinking. Easy fix. He opened the second drawer in the vanity of the bathroom where Sally kept her pills. He grabbed her birth control, popped it open to see that she had been taking each one as she should. But.. He found that not a single one had been taken from it. Was this an old one? He flipped over the box to see the date prescribed. Over a month ago. She wasn't taking it. Lightning stared at himself in the mirror. So many angry emotions building right now. Why the hell was she not taking them anymore? His heart was racing with panic and anger.

How was he even supposed to talk to her about this? Lightning walked into the kitchen where Sally was sipping some freshly made coffee. She smiled and greeted, "Good morning. Would you like some coffee?" Lightning stared at her a moment. His expression was unhappy. Sally was worried and asked, "What's wrong?" Lightning didn't answer. He grabbed his keys and announced, "I'm heading to the track." And marched out the door. Sally began to say, "Okay, I'll see you"-SLAM! The door behind him. "Later..." Sally mumbled to herself. He was angry, but at the time.. She just didn't know why...

Sally was typing away at her computer in the office of the Cozy Cone Motel when the familiarly loud Vette pulled up. Sally glanced out the window at it. Watching Lightning get out, with a bag from the store, and made his way inside her office. Ding, the bell of the door went off letting her know the door had been opened. Lightning quickly began shutting curtains, locked the main door which worried Sally. Whatever this was about, he wanted it to be private, just them. Sally stared at him and asked, "What is going on? You are starting to scare me." Lightning stood in front of her desk as he reached into the bag and slapped down a box that read pregnancy test. Sally stared at it with confusion then looked up and asked, "What is this?"

Lightning glared down at her, answering. "You haven't been taking your birth control. I need to know you're not pregnant. Take the test." He instructed firmly. Sally sighed then glared at him blankly and said, "Look in the trash can." Lightning glanced down near the desk to see a purple box that was opened and read 'Emergency contraceptive. Lightning looked back at Sally and growled, "That's not a guarantee. You have to start taking the birth control again." Sally immediately got defensive, "Whormones It would make my emotions and horomoes all wacky." "They already are wacky!" "It's my body! I said no!" "You lied to me!" Lightning yelled as he hit her desk.

It made Sally jump back a little, but she stood up and shouted, "I did not!" "You stopped taking birth control and never even told me! That is lying! You went behind my back and did something that could affect my life too!" "It's not your choice! It wasn't lying! I do not need to ask permission to stop taking pills!" "NO, you don't! But as your partner, I deserve to know things like this! This is something you don't hide from your partner, your husband, the person you want to eventually have a kid with! This is something that doesn't just affect your life, Sally!" "How the hell does this affect you!?" Sally yelled! Lightning stepped up closer to her face, yelling, "Because if you got pregnant, I'm the father!" "Would that be so bad!?" "YES! Because it wouldn't be us having a baby! It would be YOU tricking me into something without even letting me know!" "You are being ridiculous. I took precautions and took the morning after pill." Sally snarled, crossing her arms.

Lightning sighed before whining, "That's great! But this entire time, I've been fucking you thinking that we were being safe and careful and actually, you were off the dam birth control and lying to me. How do you think you are in the right here?" "How do you think you are?!" Sally snapped! Lightning just stared at her. He loved her, but this was the first and probably biggest mistake Sally had ever made with him. She majorly betrayed his trust for the first time. It hurt and confused him. This amazing woman that he wanted to marry just was so careless and so thoughtless. Lightning took a few steps back. Thinking and replaying this argument. He just... He couldn't trust her right now. "You know what?..." He began softly, "I.. I just need space before I say something I might regret."

He then turned and began walking out. Sally furiously asked, "Where are you going?" He didn't answer. He unlocked the door as she called, "Stickers!?" But he opened the door to leave and left. The bell went off letting her know the door opened. She watched as Lightning walked back to his Vette and drove off without another word. Sally plopped back down into her chair, staring at the pregnancy test box. Angry, hurt, but more confused than anything. How did Lightning think that was okay? That he could just come in here and demand she starts taking the pill again? How did he think he was in the right? She was taking precautions. She knew he wasn't ready for a baby. Especially after that childish little fit. She did not feel bad at all. Sally was just angry with him and shocked he would come in demanding and accusing such things...

Sally returned home around six. She knew Lightning was already home because the Vette was in the parking lot. She let out a sigh as she unlocked the door and walked inside the home. "Lightning, I'm home.." She announced. It was very quiet. Too quiet. Sally knew this probably meant that he was still mad. Sally put her keys up, walked up to the fridge, and grabbed a bottle of water as she announced, "I'll get started on dinner in a moment. What sounds good tonight?" When she turned around, Lightning was there. "Oh. Hey." Sally greeted. "Um.. I'll get started on dinner shortly if you hadn't already eaten." Lightning stared at her for a moment. He didn't reply. Seemed as if he maybe were in deep thought. Sally walked closer, but he spoke, "Stop." She did. Lightning sighed before continuing, "This is bad. I trusted you." "You are being ridiculous." "No, I'm not!" Lightning shouted. The couple stared at one another. Sally frowned and apologized, "I'm sorry if you feel that way, but I never intended to hurt you. This is my body and my decision though. If I decide"-"That's the problem isn't it? You decide every major decision for us." Lightning snarled. Sally's brows lowered as she got defensive, "That is not true! You do a lot of things without ever asking me!" "Like what!?" "Like buy us a house!?" Sally reminded.

Lightning snickered, rolling his eyes as she continued, "Buying me a hotel! Touching my car and messing with it! Going off to whatever shinanigan Bobby plans! And the Grand Prix!" Lightning then stepped in with, "I never did any of those things behind your back! You wanted most of those things, Sally. And more importantly, it didn't affect you like this could affect me!" Boy was he angry! Sally shook her head and snapped, "First off! You almost died at the Grand Prix! That would most definitely affect me! Second, what is wrong with you? You said we could maybe try after we're married, so I'm going ahead and getting my body adjusted." "I said we can TALK about it once we're married! TALK! And you went off making decisions for me! And it's not like I asked to die! I had no clue I was in danger! I did not knowingly put myself in a situation that would make you uncomfortable and affect you dammit!" "Oh please! You do that every weekend!" "So now this about Nascar!?" "No! No.. Look! I did not make decisions for us alone! I just stopped taking it! I do not want a baby yet either." "Than take the pills again!" "I-How are you not understanding this!? I'm not taking them again." "Sal"-"No!" She snapped at him. She took a deep breath before adding, "And I'm done talking about this with you. I'm not taking them, but I'm not making or tricking you into a baby. I want you to be ready, and I know you are far from ready. Especially now." She then walked away. Lightning sighed and stood there alone. He was so angry with her, but now he was wondering if he were over-reacting or not. He just felt lied to and betrayed, but maybe Sally was right. It was her body, not his...

The couple sat at the dining table for dinner. Most of the first portion of the meal was silent. Both of them quietly ate. Thinking about this argument. Maybe they were both a little confused about this too. Sally looked up, across the table at Lightning. Why was he so angry? Sally let out a sigh then spoke, "I'm sorry." Grabbing his attention. "I'm sorry you feel lied to and betrayed. I never.. That's the last thing I want you to feel. I.. I didn't think you cared or needed to know, but"-"Just stop. Goddammit, Sally." He growled. Sally shrugged asking, "What? What now?" "What now? Seriously? You can't even apologize without some but or an excuse for yourself, can you?" He snarled. Sally scoffed, "I'm sorry." "Like I believe that." "Well, what am I suppose to say?! I am sorry that you feel betrayed! I never want you to feel like that! Especially by me." "Than you would have known better in the first place!" Lightning shouted! Sally sighed. Both staring at each other. Lightning finally stood up, pushing his plate away from him. "Enjoy dinner alone. I'm going to bed." He announced. Sally watched him walk away, disappearing. She shook her head. So he was angry because he felt betrayed, but she didn't betray him... I mean.. She did.. In Italy, but... Not here. Not with this. Sally's eyes teared up as she thought about that. How hurt and angry Lightning was over something this silly and what if he ever found out about Francesco? He'd never want to be with her. Sally knew she had to make this right now and get him back on her side before anything else got between them. But she also was not taking the birth control pills again. She had to think of how to deal with him, with Lightning. Maybe she could use guilt. Like in a courtroom when she'd get the jury to see the consequences of their choices sometimes...

Sally walked into the bedroom where Lightning was laying in bed. She sighed quietly. Walking over and sitting on the bed. "Stickers..." She called, but no answer. She knew he wasn't asleep, so she continued, "I really am sorry. And I never want you to feel betrayed again. And you know I won't.. Lie to you." She paused. "Lightning..." Nothing. Her eyes teared up as she asked, "Do I really have to take the pills again just to make you happy?" Lightning immediately sat up and answered to her, "No, of course not. I don't want you doing anything you don't want to. The pills weren't-aren't the problem, Sally." He paused and sighed as he stared into his softly crying girl's eyes. "Sal, you can't just decide not tell me about things like this. You have to tell me if you decide to stop taking birth control or anything like that. We've been having sex for the past month or so and I thought we were being safe. Have you just been taking the morning after pill every time?" He asked. Sally sniffled a little, hesitating to answer that. Lightning smiled a little and asked, "Are you serious?" As if it were funny.

Sally quickly explained, "I-I didn't know you would keep coming inside me. I just-I decided to stop taking them and I didn't buy the emergency contraceptive the first time because we were so busy and"-"And you didn't tell me." "Because I didn't want to worry you." "Or you were trying to get pregnant. Hoping you would be, knowing I would never make you have an abortion. Nice play there, Sally." "It's not a play! It wasn't! I bought it from every time forward!" "Great. I feel so much better." Lightning sarcastically snarked. Sally scoffed and shook her head. Lightning took a deep breath. Sally stared and asked, "Are we going to be okay?" in a whimper. Lightning stared at her. This was their first really big fight in a long time. Their first serious fight in a while. He nodded, answering, "Of course. Look.. I know now. So we can just start using condoms again." Sally suddenly hugged him tightly. As if she were afraid she was going to lose him over this. Lightning kissed her head and murmured, "I love you." Sally nestled her head into his chest and replied, "I love you too. I'm sorry.. I'm sorry I hurt you. It won't happen again." Lightning snickered, wrapping his arms around the woman he loved. But deep down, he was hurt pretty bad. Sure, he'd get over it, and he was still going to marry this woman that he loved more than anything. But dam. Why did she have to betray his trust like that?...

Lightning awoke to a lonely bed. He stared over at Sally's side. So empty. She was probably already at work. Lightning stretched and lay there a few more minutes. Just thinking about yesterday. What a mess. Knock, knock. He quickly sat up to see Sally at the door. She was already dressed and wearing a smile. "I made you breakfast." She proudly proclaimed as she walked up to the bed. She stood next to Lightning, brushed his hair back then kissed his forehead. "I'm sorry about the misunderstanding we had. I will never hide anything from you like that again. I love you and I'm sorry. And thank you. For staying with me." Lightning smiled a little. "I couldn't live without you." He playfully joked. Sally smiled more. Seeming satisfied to see everything was okay. "Good. Well come on, get up. Come have some breakfast." Lightning nodded. Watching Sally leave the room. He sighed. He was happier. Not because of the breakfast, but because it seemed Sally was trying to at least make things better and not leaving it all on him. In her defense, he was usually the one who screwed up...

Lightning and Mater stepped out the trailer of the Bolt on the track. All the racers were setting up for the weekend's race. Mater always found the race track so great and fun! "So why didn't Miss Sally come today?" Mater asked. Lightning and his friend walked around to the rear of the trailer. Lightning opened the doors as he answered, "She had a lot of work to get done with the motels-hotels. Whichever they are called." He wondered. He then let down the ramp. Mater nodded. Watching the ramp go down. "So you two are okay, right?" Mater asked softly. Lightning snickered with a smile and nodded again. "Yes, Mater. Sally and I are good. Thanks for asking though." The trailer ramp reached the asphalt with a clanking sound. Lightning and Mater walked into the trailer and began grabbing a few boxes to take to the garage. Mater then chuckled a bit and announced, "Holly is coming. We're meeting up for dinner tonight." "Oh wow. So that's really a thing?" Lightning asked. Then realized how bad that came out. Mater nodded, answering, "Yes Sir. I want to make sure tonight goes well too." "Oh. OOh! Okay. Well.. Good luck to you, Bud." "Thanks, Buddy. Hey, so when you and Sally get married, can I bring Holly?" "Of course." "When is it anyway?" What? The wedding?" "Yeah. I need to give Holly enough time to put in her vacation time." "Yeah, um.. Sally and I haven't agreed on a date or time frame. I want to get married before the cup, but she wants to wait until the off-season I think." "Hmm. I say the sooner, the better!" "Exactly, but I think she just wants me to home for it all." "You will be though during the week." "Yeah, but.. We're both so busy. I understand her reasons, but I just want to marry her." Lightning explained. Mater smiled.

He was proud that his best friend and Sally were getting married. They were the ultimate power couple. The boys carried a few boxes to the garage. Setting them down. Mater then asked, "I'm the best man, right?" "Yes! Of course, Mater." Lightning chuckled. Mater jumped for joy! "I knew'd it!" "Alright, alright. I hope I have as much energy as you when I'm your age." Lightning joked. Mater smirked and placed his hands on his hips as he explained, "Eat your veggies. My Mama always told me that it was will make you have a good and long life. Or was that school?" Lightning chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Go on and get ready for your date, Mater." "You sure you don't need me here?" "No, I got it. I'll probably find the guys and pick on them a bit." "Okay. Thanks. See you tomorrow at the race!" Mater shouted as he took off. Lightning sighed and smiled, shaking his head. Mater was a character for sure. Lightning suddenly felt the buzz of his phone in his pocket. He expected it to be Sally, but it was his Mother. Lightning quickly answered, "Hey, what's up?"

I'm just calling to wish you luck tomorrow.

"Oh. What about Kristine? How is she doing?"

(Sigh) She's alright. Still in rehab.

"Right.. She'll be okay. She's getting the help she needs."

Barb did too. Many times, Mon.. Anyway, I didn't call to talk about all that drama. How are you? How are the wedding plans going?

"Oh. Good. Um.. Yeah, just.. Trying to agree on a date I guess."

You guess? Is something wrong?

"No. No, not really. Sally stopped taking her birth control."

Oh my god. Are you two going to try on the honeymoon!? Oh my Lord, I am going to have to come down and help clean up the place and babyproof everything!

"Wait-no! Mom, listen! She stopped taking it and never even told me. I had to find out by snooping through her drawer."

... What?

"We aren't trying for anything. She just didn't tell me she stopped taking it."

But.. You two use more than just the pill as protection, right?

"No."

Is she pregnant?

"No. No, at least I don't think so. She's been taking emergency contraceptives now."

... So she?.. I'm having trouble understanding the situation here Mon. So?... Sally stopped taking birth control and that's the only form you two were using, which is stupid, to begin with, but she never told you?

"No. And I've been thinking that we were being safe this entire time. She messed up and we got in this huge fight over it."

I'm sorry, I just... Are you sure she never told you?

"She never told me. I had to confront her about it. Which started this huge ordeal about how it's her body and her choice and I have no say in this."

Well... I mean you're both wrong there.

"Exactly! Thank you-wait. Both of us? She should have told me."

Yeah, but... Yes. Yes, she should have! But it is her choice... I'm sorry this is happening to you, Mon.. Are you two okay?

"Yeah.. I.. I'm not leaving her over this, and we seem to be fine now, but.."

You're hurt. I understand, Baby... I'm sorry. I can't believe Sally would do that. It just.. It doesn't sound like her.

"It doesn't. None of what she's been doing has! She's dyed her hair like three times, decided she wants to start riding in jeeps, try new weird things and I can't keep up anymore. I feel like I never know who I'm coming home to."

She dyed her hair?

"YES! Multiple times. She's a brunette at the moment."

Wow. Well.. Maybe that's how she's dealing with wedding stress.

"It shouldn't be stressful to marry me."

(Trying not to laugh there) OH-ho.. Wedding planning is a stressful thing for a woman and she's marrying you, Baby. A celebrity.

"Hmm..."

How is the career anyway?... Are you okay? After what happened, I worry all the time.

"Yeah, it's great. I'm fine. I have to take a rookie under my wing soon. I hate that."

Awe. That's sweet. I talk about you all the time. I am so proud of you, Monty.

"Thanks, Mom."

I really am. You know, Robert would be proud to.

".. I know."

I'm going to have to come out and see one of those races soon to.

"You don't have to do that."

I know I don't, but I want to. Plus, it gives me an excuse to come down to see ya'll and help with the wedding.

"You don't need an excuse for that."

I love you, Monty.

"Love you too, Mom."

You be safe out there. I'll be watching from the living room here like I usually do.

"Okay, Mom."

You call me anytime you need me, Baby. I'm a button away.

"Okay, Mom. Thanks. I'll talk later."

Okay. Good luck.

"(Snicker) I don't need it, but thanks. Bye, Mom." Lightning hung up and sighed. It was good to talk to his Mother. He was close to her and that was a good thing. Now, time to win a race!...

Headed into the final ten laps here and Bobby Swift has the lead!

He sure is doing well today Mike.

Sure is. McQueen is in third, chasing those two positions down though.

Wonder if we'll see any surprises out of him today?

If not today, I'm sure throughout the season.

Cal Weathers just moved up to seventh.

And Swift just finished the lap. Nine to go and he'll take the win today.

Gorvette moved up to fifth.

McQueen is right on Jefferson's tail. Trying his iconic whip move there.

Blackwall just bumped Weathers!

You know Weathers is gonna give him a little push for that.

Blackwall passed Weathers on the inside.

And here Weathers goes. He just gave him a little warning bump.

HA! You don't mess with the King's family...

Six to go.

Weathers and Blackwall still playing tag behind the leaders.

Boy, he is trying to hold that position.

Blackwall gains on Weathers. Oh and he bumps Weathers! Weathers lose traction.

OH man, he's going to hit the wall.

BAM! The passenger side of Cal's car hit the wall! The car jumped a little, but it wasn't to bad for Cal.

The coach of Cal asked, "You alright?" Cal answering, "Yeah, all good. That dam driver will pay for it though." "Keep your cool. Just bring the car into the pits.. This race is over for us." Cal growled and pulled back onto the track to make his way to the pits, but not paying attention, Cal pulled out in front of an on-coming race car. The driver didn't have time to act! "CAL!" Linda screamed right before the nose of the race car hit Cal's car in the wheel causing Cal's car to turn and roll over twice, getting the yellow flag out as his car scraped across the track on it's driver side window sending sparks inside the cab of the car! Everyone gasped! Some screamed! The car continued to scrape along the track. Seeming to never stop! Linda screamed! Begging for the car to come to a stop as the other race cars came to a stop off-track to make room for emergency vehicles. An ambulance and two firetrucks rushed out quickly as Cal's car slowed more and more. Scraping down the track and sliding down off the arch of the race track until it finally stopped. Smoke and steam filled the air above the car. Lightning got out of his race car, taking off his helmet as he stared at the site. He looked ahead to see Bobby doing the same. The two staring out at Cal's car.

Watching the firemen and Emt's run out to Cal's aid. Then Linda ran around the pit wall and began to run through the field. Lightning knew better than to let her see the worst of it. Cal wouldn't want that! So Lightning ran and grabbed Linda! Stopping her and holding her in his arms against her will. Linda screamed and pleaded, "Let me go Lightnin! Let me go!" Strip rushed over to his wife and took her from Lightning. Just as Meg ran by them. Lightning grabbed her hand, but she yanked her hand away and took off onto the track! Megen ran up to the car and knelt. Trying to see between the smoke, the metal, the people trying to help. "Cal! Cal!" She screamed! "Cal!" Nothing. A fireman walked up and pulled Meg up, pushing her away from the accident. Lightning just stood frozen. Watching as a fireman took out a saw and began cutting at the car. That was bad. It meant Cal was unable to get out and they couldn't pull him out. Lightning shook his head. The bad memories of losing his brother resurfaced. The fire, the screams, his Mother. The fear of what happened in England. The gun, the explosions, the police, the screams...