Lightning and Sally ran to their friend's room where they found Bobby, Jesse, and Strip outside the room. LIghtning was first to ask, "Where are they?" Sally added, "WHat's happening? Did they lose.. The baby?.." Strip answered, "No, they didn't lose it..." Sally let out a sigh of relief. But she and Lightning glanced at each other and Lightning asked, "Then what is going on?" Sally gasped, "Is it, Meg? Is she okay?!" Worried for her friend! Jesse answered, "She'll be fine. SHe's perfectly healthy." Sally's brows lowered. Confused as to what was going on. "Guys?" Lightning questioned. Strip sighed and explained, "The baby has been diagnosed with a health condition. He won't make it long after birth. If they don't terminate." Sally gasped in heartache. Her eyes filled with tears!

She hid into Lightning's arms. She just couldn't believe what she was hearing! Strip frowned and swallowed nervously before continuing, "They are debating on terminating the pregnancy.." Jesse muttered, "She won't do it.. Meg won't do that to her baby." Sally's lips shivered. The pain of losing a baby was all too familiar for her. And now Meg had to go through it! Only worse! Sally did not get a choice for her baby, but Meg was having to choose!? "Oh LIghtning.." Sally whimpered into his chest. LIghtning cradled her close. Not sure how to feel or think right now honestly.

Strip knocked on the door. "Cal.. Swifts and McQueens are here.." A brief silence swept through before the door quietly opened. Cal. His eyes were red and puffy. He looked so tired as if he hadn't slept in days. His hair was all messy and he seemed stressed. He smelled like alcohol and sweat. He needed a shower badly. He looked so depressed right now. Everyone stared at Cal. No words, just staring, Cal sighed and finally spoke up with, "Ya'll come in.. I'll explain.." Then turned and moped back into the room slowly. Jesse and Bobby glanced at each other before walking in, followed by the McQueen's and Strip. Closing the door quietly behind himself...

Tiffany knocked on the McQueen's home. No answer. No cars in the driveway. "Lightning!" She called. Nothing. Tiffany sighed. "Where are they?" She muttered. Crossing her arms. Tiffany reached into her purse and pulled out just the thing she found in the office of the Cozy cone motel. A spare key to the house. She smiled and looked around before unlocking the door. Walking in and closed it behind her. SO quiet. "Hello?.." She called. Nothing. "Hmm.." She thought that was odd. She walked around the home in search of Lightning and or Sally. But after a quick search of the home. She realized they weren't here.

"Hmmm.. OH! The garage!" She exclaimed! Skipping along to the garage through the kitchen. She opened the door and greeted, "Hey, Lightning!" But nothing. He wasn't there either. JUst the corvette. "Oh." Tiffany stuttered. "Where are they?" She wondered aloud. Tiffany walked around the car. Checking out the pretty sports car. She looked up and around the corners. No cameras. She snickered then reached into her purse. Pulling out a pair of panties. Not hers. Sized a little big to be hers. She opened the corvette's door. No alarm, not locked. "How stupid." She grumbled. Then she stuffed the panties near the seat belt clip of the passenger side. Closing the car door and leaving the garage, and house. Locking up and leaving her presence unknown but leaving someone's presence in the red sports car...

Jesse and Sally sat on the bed with Meg as Cal stood in the corner and explained the situation at hand. "So.. We were told a few weeks ago that.. Our baby might have osteogenesis imperfecta.. And after a lot of tests, the doctor confirmed this. Type two.. Which means.. He probably won't make it but a.. A few hours.. A-after he's b-born.." Cal stuttered. Bobby's brows lowered as he seemed lost and asked, "What's?... Whatever that word is you just said?" Cal sighed. Taking a minute before answering, "It means his bones will be so fragile that he won't survive!" He shouted in pain! Meg hiding in Jesse's arms. Crying.

Linda's eyes teared up. The pain of her-or what she considered her daughter and son going through this was a lot. And everyone felt worse for Cal. He had just had such a painful life and this wasn't fair to him. They felt so bad for him. Cal let tears roll down his cheeks. Collapsing into the chair next to him. He had to sit down to add the next part. "The doctor says we could terminate. Since the baby won't live long and might suffer.." Meg suddenly snapped! "I will not murder my baby!" "You would rather make him suffer!?" Cal shouted with rage! Megen only yelled, "I will carry him until his last breath! I am his Mother and I will protect him from being killed!" "It's not murder! IT's mercy!" Cal shouted! Meg then yelled back with, "Get him out of here!" Everyone stared a moment. No one moving an inch. Meg turned to Lightning and shouted, "GET HIM OUT NOW!" Lightning looked directly at Cal. Staring his friend in the eyes from afar.

Cal was in pain and hurting and was wanting to do what he felt best for his child but as did Meg here. Lightning looked at Meg then back at Cal and asked, "You want to walk?" Cal breathed heavily. Glaring with hatred towards his wife before stomping out of the room. Followed by Lightning and Bobby. Jesse then asks Meg, "Are you stuck in the hospital?" Meg shook her head answering, "I can leave and go home whenever I want.. But they told me I have to be on bed rest.. But Cal.. Cal"-"Cal is still processing this, dear..." Linda defended.. Meg frowned. Feeling a bit bad for yelling at him as she did. She looked to Strip and asked, "Could you get him back? Please?" Strip nodded but suggested they give Cal some space for a little while. Let him talk to Bobby and Lightning and let out some emotions before going out and finding him...

Cal stepped outside into the garden of the hospital. Weeping and howling in pain. Looking up to the sky above and screaming "AAAHHH!" Falling to his knees. Lightning and Bobby stood back and watched over their friend. Not sure how to react to this. Bobby looked to Lightning and mumbled, "He wanted this.. I didn't.. I didn't know he wanted this kid that bad.." That. That right there made Lightning think of Sally. How badly she wanted this baby. The baby they hadn't even conceived yet. Sally already went through this with Ben. What if... What if it happened again?.. What if Sally lost another one. Lost his? Now was not the time to think of that.

Lightning walked up slowly behind Cal and placed a hand on his shoulder. Cal looked up at Lightning and muttered, "I look pathetic.." Lightning shook his head and disagreed, "You're grieving, Cal. It's normal." Cal nodded. Wiping his eyes. He looked at the ground and asked, "What if Meg and I can't heal?... What if I lose her too?" He cried. Closing his eyes tightly through the pain. Lightning shook his head saying, "That won't happen. You and Meg are stronger than this." Cal sniffled and whimpered, "I don't think I am.. I'm... I'm afraid I'll hate her. Her genes did this. Her Father has this thing. The same crap that will kill my unborn baby!" He growled in anger! HItting the ground next to him. Lightning looked to Bobby and motioned for him to come in.

But Bobby shook his head. Lightning glared at Bobby for that but knelt next to Cal. Sitting with his hurting friend. "Meg didn't ask for this, Cal.." Cal nodded, "I know... I know.." Lightning sighed. No words could help Cal right now. Lighting wrapped an arm around his friend and sat with him in the garden here. Silent. Letting Cal whimper and cry it out from time to time. Venting a little. Hearing Cal's fears and worries. This was a terrible thing to have to go through, but there was no cure and nothing anyone could do except wait it out to end. Which was a horrible thing to have to wait for. But at least Lightning understood that. Waiting for someone you loved to die. Thinking about that let Lightning understand Cal a little more right now. Helped him comfort Cal in a better way. A way that someone who had gone through simulated situations had done...

Lightning walked into the house with Sally close behind him. Both exhausted from the emotional toll of the last couple of days. Meg and Cal were going through a lot right now. Lightning sighed and quietly closed and locked the front door. Sally just stood there. Lightning knew she was probably overly hurting and hiding her emotions through this for Meg's sake. "Sal.." Lightning called softly. Sally looked at him and smiled, "I'm fine. Don't worry about me. I know that's what you are doing. I can tell by the tone in your voice, Stickers." Lightning frowned and stared at the floor. What else was he supposed to do? Of course, he was worried about his wife!

"Well," He continued, "I'm here for you. For anything you need, Sal." He assured. Sally stepped forward and hugged him. Holding him closely. "Thanks, Stickers.." She whimpered quietly. Lightning held her in his arms. Kissing the top of her head. "What do you think they will do?..." Sally asked. Lightning sighed answering, "I don't know.. They'll do what's best for them I guess." Sally sniffled a little into her husband's chest. "Did you ever call Tiffany?" Sally asked. Lightning's eyes widened. Fuck! "UH.. No.." Lightning admitted. Sally pushed away from her husband in shock! "You mean she came here and probably went back home thinking we just up and left!?" LIghting faked a smile and said, "I'll call her right now.. Hopefully, Mr. O'Reilly doesn't know about that yet." "Well, if he does, I'm sure he'd understand. He seems really nice." Sally said as she lit up. Lightning stared a moment muttering, "Yeah.. Nice.. I'll be right back."

Lightning headed to the garage and closed the door. Grabbing his phone to call Tiffany real quick. It rang for a few minutes. Ringing and ringing. LIghting paced a bit. Opening his car door up and sitting down in the driver's seat as it rang. Finally,

Hello?

"Tiff! I'm so sorry I didn't call you and tell you we were out of town."

Yeah, well.. It was a nice surprise to spend the day wandering Radiator Springs...

"I'm so sorry.. We had a... Family emergency."

It's fine, I don't care.

"Okay?... Look, I'll just help you with a few warm-up laps at the track in a few days. Is that..." He paused as he saw the red Lacey material. Lightning reached over and pulled out the panties from beside the seat belt clip and seat.

Hello? Lightning?

"I'll see you at the race.." Lightning mumbled then hung up. Holding the panties up. These were not Sally's. Which made no sense. They were in his car. Stuffed next to the seat for Chrysler's sake! Lightning desperately tried thinking of an explanation! What the hell? How? Why? Did he? No. Did he? Did he drink or take something and?... NO. The car has not left Radiator Springs in months! That would mean he drunkenly fucked someone in town. And he knew he didn't do that! Did he? No. No, he was happy with Sally. Of course... He did go through that little phase right before the wedding. With Josie and Tiffany.. OH no. His eyes widened. What if he did do something more than he was so blacked out he forgot or didn't even know he did!? Who's panties were these!? One thing for sure, Sally could never know about these!...

Lightning walked through the trailers of the racers. Looking to see if he could find Cal's or not. Cal hadn't talked to them since a few days ago when they last saw him in North Carolina. Nope, no, not his trailer. No... No sign of Cal yet. Lightning didn't know if Cal would show up or not honestly. It may have been for the best that he didn't anyway. Lightning remembered how hard it was for him to race knowing Doc was suffering and dying. And now this was Cal's baby we were talking about! Poor Cal.. Poor Meg. "Hey." Greeted Bobby from behind. Lightning turned to see his friend. Bobby sighed and asked, "You looking for Cal too?" Lightning nodded.

Bobby frowned and mumbled, "He's probably not coming today again.." "He'll lose his place in the cup. Everyone is so close together this year.." Lightning replied. Bobby shook his head. "Maybe if we talk to the President?" Bobby suggested. Lightning glared and asked, "What has the President ever done for any of us? Really?" Bobby shrugged. Knowing what Lighting was getting at was true. Lighting frowned and looked at his friend saying, "See you on the track, Bobby." Bobby nodded adding, "Yeah, good luck out there..." Parting ways for now.

Lightning walked to his garage and went on inside. Staring at his race car. He grabbed out his phone and called his wife to check on her. Ringing... Ringing... Ringing... IT rang forever and then HI, you've reached the voicemail of Sally McQueen. Sorry, I'm a little busy at the moment. I'll call you back as soon as I can, just leave your name, number and a short message about your call. Thanks, bye.

Lightning hung up and sighed. Voicemail, really? But calling herself Sally McQueen already on her phone was awful cute of her. Leon walked in. "Hey, kid." Lightning turned and asked, "What's up?" "Tiffany O'Reilly says she's ready to practice." LIghtning sighed. Dreading it a bit. But at least their relationship was more and more professional by the week. "Tell her I'll be there in a second." Leon nodded and headed back out. Lightning decided to try and call Sally once more but it just rang until voicemail again. He hung up and set the phone down. Grabbing his helmet and heading out...

The announcer jumped with excitement as he watched Lightning and Johnson come out of turn four side by side! Down the last stretch in the final lap! "It's going to be close! As the two racers made their way! Closer and closer to the finish line! "McQueen and Johnson! Who's it going to be!?" He shouted! The crowds of fans cheered loudly! "And.. IT's Lightning McQueen for the win!!!" He announced! Fans applauding and cheering loudly for the champ! Lightning pulled into the pits and got out, standing on the rim of the window as he took off his helmet and held it up in the air! The fans screaming for him! He loved it! Here, Lightning was a champion. He was loved by his adoring fans! Lightning tossed the helmet down to one of his crew members then hopped down from the Bolt and Walked to the stage.

There, he was met with Johnson and Jeff. Second and Guthrie. Both looked at Lightning and complimented, "Good race." Said Jeff. Johnson nudged Lightning and joked, "Yeah, keep it up and maybe you can have five cups like me." Lighting chuckled and reminded, "I'm only one behind you Better not let it up for the cup there, Jimmie." JOhnson laughed it off as the three of them took their spots on the stage. Fans and sponsors cheering, cameras flashing. Lighting waved for the people there but then one in the crowd caught his eye. LIghtning's smile grew, became more real as he says her!

He quickly made his way to the reps of the stage as she did as well. Sexurit6y stopping her but LIghting jumped over the roped barrier and picked her up! Spinning Sally twice in his arms before setting her down and kissing her softly. "I can't believe you are here!" He exclaimed! Sally giggled. His excitement was absolutely adorable! Cameras flashed towards the couple. Naturally, Sally and Lightning stole all the attention there The couple getting mics shoved at them as the press asked,

"HOWWASTHEHONEYOON!?" "HOWDOESITFEELBEINGMRS.LIGHTNINGMCQUEEN?""WHATWASTHEBESTPARTOFTHEHONEYMOON!?" 'WILLTHEREBEANYPICTURESOFTHEWEDDINGORTHEHONEYMOON!?""COULDTHEREBEACHANCEOFAMCQUEENJUNIORINTHEMAKING!?" Lightning waved at them and replied, "I think there will be photos posted soon. I'd love to stay here and answer all of your questions, but I have a thing with my wife." God, he loved saying that. He loved calling Sally his wife.

SO Lighting wrapped his arm around Sally's hip and walked with her back to his garage. Lightning says, "Should have told me that you were coming. I tried calling before the race." "Well," Sally began, "I thought it would be a nice surprise." "It is! I love when you come to my races! You should do it more often." "You know I can't do that, but about the race. You did amazing out there. And that finish. Wow." "Well, I had to leave the fans on edge a little. I didn't want them thinking I'm too good, you know?" Sally only giggled at his response. "I love you, Lightning McQueen." Lightning smiled at his wife. "I love you too. Probably more than you love me actually." "No way." "Yup" "Doubt it." "I do indeed." Lightning teased. Sally rolled her eyes and playfully slapped Lightning across the shoulder.

Tiffany watched them in the distance. They were so sweet together. But she had to keep Lightning in the business as her father told her to. Sadly, she didn't know exactly how. She only knew how to manipulate men but Lightning was not easily manipulated. Sure, he went through that little phase of making out mostly, but he never went over the line and all he because of Sally. Tiffany didn't care for5 Lightning and Didn't even want him anymore. Sure, she was a little bit hurt that he turned her down before, but it's life, and move on with it. She could have any racer or man she wanted with her looks. She felt like proving that to herself right now, but first, she needed to place a pea under a princess mattress...