The following day, Lightning pulled up to the school and was mentally preparing to give another lecture. He sighed and shut off the suv. It sucked being here without Sally. He should probably call her later when he had some extra time. Lightning got out and headed to the building when he heard his boss call out, "Mr. McQueen!" O'Reilly shouted from ahead. Standing on the steps of the building. Lightning wondered what this was about.

The racer walked up and greeted, "Morning, Sir." O'Reilly wrapped an arm around Lightning and asked, "Do you think that you have been working too hard? You have, haven't you?" Lighting shrugged answering, "Not really, I guess.." Actually yes, but whatever. O'Reilly snickered then announced, "You are taking the day off! You have earned it! I'll have one of my Gus take you out to a brunch later and then on a little tour of this beautiful state. How about it?" "I'm.. Gee, thanks.. I guess. I guess it would be nice to relax for"-"And Tiffany will join you!" O'Reilly interrupted. Lightning glared. Tiffany... Really?

"That's not necessary.." Lightning mumbled. O'Reilly slapped Lightning across the back replying, "Nonsense. Both of you have been working your asses off! And tonight, I want to see you at the auditorium. Race wheels and steals is coming, so dress to impress." "Oh.. Um.. Alright." "Great! Just wait here and I'll have Tiffany meet you in a few. See you two tonight." O'Reilly said with a smile before walking into the building.

Lightning sighed. It could have been nice to get a day off to just blow off work, but with Tiffany? Not really. Lightning pulled out his phone and began to message Sally.

Lightning

Hey sally, hope you are doing alright. I'll call you later. Love you.

Send. "Lightning!" Tiffany's squeakie voice called. Lightning turned around and she suddenly jumped him. Hugging him close! "Ready for our date?" She asked loudly! Lightning blushed red and pushed her off of him as he snarled, "Not a date! We were just going out and relax!" "Sure, of course, but isn't that a date?" "No." "Alright, alright.. Agree to disagree. Come on, Champ." She motioned as she walked to one of her Father's limos that pulled up as she jumped the racer. Lightning sighed. But at least Tiffany seemed to be in a better mood than usual...

Sally sat in her office when her phone buzzed.

Lightning

Hey sally, hope you are doing alright/ I'll call you later. Love you.

She smiled a little. And yes, she felt a little bad for leaving Lightning like she did. Sally began to reply when Flo knocked and walked into the Cozy Cone motel. Sally set down her phone and asked, "Hey, what's up, Flo?" Flo came closer and sat across from Sally asking, "What really happened? You and Lightning were suppose to stay there a few more weeks.." Sally sighed and frowned answering, "I know.. I just... I couldn't. I wanted.. I needed to be home." "Did you two get into a fight?" "Not really.. Although, Lightning was pretty upset with me for leaving..." "Well, yeah. So?.. Why did you?" Flo asked.

Sally shrugged before admitting, "It's that time of the year.. Past it, actually.. And trying with Lightning and seeing Meg only made the emotions worse." Flo raised a brow and asked, "Hold on.. Wait? What do you mean? Trying?" Flo then gasped! "Are you to really trying for a baby!?" She smiled. Sally nodded. Flo quickly stood up, rushed around the desk and hugged Sally tightly! "Oh Honey! Congrats! You deserve this so much!" "Yeah.. Well.. Air.. Flo..." Sally barely mustered. Flo apologized and sat back down across the desk before asking, "So wait.. What do you.. Oh.." She paused in her own question when she realized the time of the year.

"Ben.." Flo whispered. Sally sighed and admitted, "I know it's selfish.. But I am still hurt by the last pregnancy.. And Ben and I help each other heal a little every year.. But this year... We skipped meeting.." "Did you tell Lightning this is why you came home?..." Asked Flo. Sally shook her head. Flo sighed. Thinking a moment before continuing, "You need to start being more hones and open to Lightning about these things.. You are married now and he deserves to know, Sally... What did you tell him exactly?" She asked curiously.

Sally shrugged before answering, "Um.. Well... I think I left with telling him that the motels needed me more.." Flo's brows lowered. She may have been closer to Sally, but that was a shitty thing Sally told Lightning. Flo crossed her arms and scolded, "You told that man that motels needed you more than him. How mean was that? NO wonder the man was upset! I'm sorry Honey, but that a horrible thing to do to him. You just said that the two of you were trying and then you get up and leave? After all of the times you told me that you were worried Lightning would never want to try and you do that to him? Run off?" "I didn't run off!" "That's exactly what you did, Sally." Flo corrected.

Sally shook her head in disagreement. Flo continued her scolding, "You had better make it up to that man. Even I can see what a bitch move that was. And I know you knew better. I just want you to remember, Sally... Lightning is your husband now.. Not Ben..." "Yeah, obviously..." Sally mumbled. Flo sighed and stared at the younger woman. Nodding then standing up and saying goodbye before returning to her cafe. Sally stared out the window. Staring at the busy cafe. Yeah, she may have been in the wrong a little here...

Lightning and Tiffany walked side by side through the park. It was nice to take a walk outside. Except for the fact there were little booths set up as if they were window shopping. Lightning sighed as Tiffany kept buying crisp and he wound up being the one to hold each and every bag. He had about six by now when he asked, "Don't you think you have enough crap here?" Tiffany stopped and stared at the bags then smiled answering, "I guess you're right. Oh look! A fountain!" She pointed out then grabbed Lightning and jerked him across the pathway! Pulling him towards the fountain and staring at it. It was nice and all but just a dam fountain.

Tiffany reached into her purse and grabbed out a quarter. "Want to make a wish?" She asked Lightning with a smile. Lightning glared and admitted, "I don't believe in that crap.." Tiffany giggle and replied, "Of course not, neither do I. But.. It's for fun." She closed her eyes and sighed happily then kissed the coin and tossed it up into the top of the fountain. "Guess that means it'll come true." She proudly announced. Lightning raised a brow and asked, "What did you wish for?" Curiously. Tiffany crossed her arms and scolded, "Nuh-uh. You are not suppose to tell or else it won't come true." Lightning only rolled his eyes.

The two continued to walk on a ways. Lightning noticed that one of the drivers was following them. Good or bad, still unsure. Tiffany cleared her throat and grabbed Lightning's attention to ask, "So how are things? It's been a good while sense we really hung out just me and you." Lightning snickered and reminded, "You did tattle and almost made me lose my social status.." He was angry about that. Tiffany blushed a little and reminded, "I did, but you also wanted me to lie and I did. I lost a lot of fans while you did get away scot clean." Lightning sighed. True.

He stopped, making Tiffany stopped and he said, "Thank you.. For that.. I was so afraid I would lose Sally.. I didn't want to lose her.." He frowned. Tiffany stared a moment. Thinking before saying, "You really love Sally.. Don't you?" Lightning smiled and nodded before beginning to brag, "Sally is amazing. She's really smart and kind of busy all the time, but she's so productive! I wish I could be like her sometimes, but I'm not that great. She works three-well four jobs technically and she does it so flawlessly! She is the hardest working person I have ever met! I could not be more proud of her. And the things she has to deal with because of my fame? She takes it all and doesn't hold much of a grudge to anything. A very forgiving person with a huge heart." Tiffany smiled replying, "She sure does sound amazing." Lightning smiled and nodded but then he stared at Tiffany.

Something was up.

"Why you ask?" He asked. Tiffany raised a brow, confused. Lightning sighed and continued, "You just.. You tattled and then you or your Dad, whoever was actually behind it tried to sabotage my marriage." "I did not!" "Back when you were staying with us.. At the house.." Lightning reminded with a glare. Tiffany frowned. She remembered, but didn't want to accept that. The younger woman looked up at Lightning. Up at his deep blue eyes and asked, "Do you think you and I could have had a chance? If it weren't for her being around?" LIghtning's eyes widened and his cheeks turned red. "Wh-what?.." He mumbled.

Tiffany giggle and pointed out his expression. "You seem surprised." Lightning shook his head and corrected, "Not surprised.. But... Um.. I suppose.. Maybe. But"-"Oh wow, really!?" "I thought you liked sleeping around?..." Lightning reminded. Tiffany's brows lowered and she punched him right in the shoulder nearest to her! "OW!" Lightning yelped! "What was that for!?" He shouted! Tiffany angrily asked, "Are you calling me a whore!?" "What!? No! I just said"-"How dare you say something like that to a lady!?" Lightning glared and snarled, "Well maybe if you would act more like a lady I wouldn't have." Tiffany stared. Her face turned pale. Did this guy really just say that? "WWHHHAAATTT!?" Tiffany shouted! Lightning's eyes widened. Staring at the girl. SLAP!!! Right across Lightning's face!...

Lighting and Tiffany returned to the school. The driver of the limo got out and walked around to open the door for Tiffany. Dropping her off at her home then taking Lightning back to his SUV. The door opened but Tiffany hesitated. She looked at Lightning and asked, "Will you be coming to the party tonight?" Lightning smiled answering, "Yeah, probably. Your Dad expects me to be there, so..." "Great." She then leaned over and kissed him on the side of the cheek. "Sorry for hitting you in the face earlier." Then she got out of the limo and made her way into her lavish home. The driver closed the door, got back in and proceeded to drive back to the school. Lightning leaned back in his seat. Letting out a sigh and staring out the window. His eyes became heavier and heavier. So tired.. So... Exhausted...

"Sir?... Mr. McQueen?..." Said a man's voice. Lightning groaned. a bit then opened his eyes to see the driver standing with an open door. Lightning rubbed his eyes and apologized before attempting to get out of the limo when the seatbelt stopped him. He sighed with annoyance before unclipping the thing and getting out. Walking to his SUV. "Are you alright to drive, Sir?" Asked the man. Lightning yawned and nodded before answering, "Yeah, thanks." Waving goodbye and getting into his vehicle. Shutting the door and turning it on before grabbing out his phone. No messages. Hmm. He almost messages Sally again, but decided not to bother and just eat home to finish out his little nap before heading to the party...

Lightning arrived and naturally grabbed all of the attention. Students, fans, other businesses, magazines, etc. But he caught a glimpse of Tiffany. Wow. A baby blue gown. More like a sheet. It was extremely fine and see through. Except for her breasts. Covers by a light wrap it seems. A corset middle showing off her glamorously tan skin and then what seemed like high rise bikini bottoms under the sheet of thin skirting. A long slit from her upper thigh to the floor of the gown. Matching baby blue, pointed toe heels with diamonds all over them. Back up her leg, over her thigh was some kind of diamond garter. Wow. Tiffany noticed him staring and Lightning quickly looked away. But by the time he turned back around, Tiffany was face to face with him. "Hey." She greeted with a smile. Lightning glanced at her breasts then back up to her eyes and greeted back, "Hey... Tiffany, wow. Um.." "You like?" She asked. Lightning snickered before answering, "Uh, yeah, of coarse.. You look.. You look great." He smiled nervously.

Tiffany smiled more and grabbed his hand. "Come. Let's grab a drink." She purposed. Lightning let her pull him along the room and to the bar. she sat up on the bar stool and ordered "One woo woo and one black russian, please." Handing the second drink to Lightning then sipping hers. Lightning hesitated but guzzled down about half his shot. Tiffany rolled her eyes then eloped the rest of her drink in what was like a single gulp. Lightning stared at her. She was acting strange. Tiffany set her glass down then hopped off the bar stool and asked, "Are you going to finish that?" Lightning glanced at the remainder of his drink then took the rest down within half a second before setting down his glass next to hers. Tiffany grabbed his hand yet again and pulled him along to one of the rooms where she closed the door and asked, "Is this okay?" Lightning stared at her. Nervously answering, "Um... What are we doing in here? Alone?... I don't like this." "I just want to talk to you." "Okay... Alone?' questioned Lightning.

Tiffany nodded as she walked over to the desk and sat down. That's when Lightning noticed it was her own desk. He had been here nearly two months and just now was finding out that Tiffany hand her own office. Figures. "Sit down, Lightning.." She softly suggested. Lightning sighed and hesitated but he was okay for now with this much and sat own across from his partner. Tiffany leaned forward on the desk as she began, "My Father has.. Ordered... Me to do things that I do not want to do... Things that would involve you and possibly your marriage and well..." She paused and bit her lips as she thought. "And well.. I'm just not going to listen to him, but... I need him to think I did or else he's going to disinherit me from everything." Lightning stared at Tiffany. Was she being honest or not? "What did he want you to do?" He asked nervously. Tiffany Leaned back in her chair before answering, "Sleep with you and get knocked up so that you would leave Sally and marry me." Lightning was shook!

O'Reilly would really do that? Would really make Tiffany do that?! "Are you lying?" Lightning asked. Tiffany snickered then reached down and grabbed a bottle of vodka. Opening it and taking a sip out of it before answering, "Sadly, no. It's very true." Lightning was silent! Who the hell was he working for? "Vodka?" Tiffany asked as she pushed the bottle towards Lightning. Lightning nodded and took the bottle, taking a good sip from the bottle and setting back on the desk. "Why?" He asked. Tiffany shook her head before answering, "He wants you to be more than just a racer for team O'Reilly. I told you he always gets his way and he will find a way." She warned again. Lightning could not wait to tell Sally this! Being the crafty lawyer she was, surely she would be able to find a way out of the working contract. Tiffany sipped a bit more of the vodka then leaned forward on the desk once more and asked, "What are we going to do about this? I have to make him think he is getting what he wants, Lightning.. I can't lose all of this!?" All her riches and spoiled crap. Lightning sighed. Thinking. "Let me talk to Sally. She must know a way to get out of this." He answered. Tiffany nodded and asked, "You don't think she'll tell anyone and then my Dad find out?" Lightning shook his head answering, "Sally is the smartest lawyer I know. No way." Tiffany pushed the vodka closer to Lightning and he happily took a good gulp or two from it again...

A few days, a week had past. Sally knew that Lightning and Tiffany had been spending more time together but didn't think much of it. Lightning was very honest and told her every weird thing going on with Tiffany and her Father. Sometimes, it made Sally even more relieved to be home. Sally locked up the motel office and walked over to the small little grocery store in town. It was a nice but hot day for a walk. Especially for someone in Sally's attire. Button up, pencil skirt, hose and baby doll flats. Sally made her way inside. Fans and tourists greeting her instantly. A few asking for her photo. Sally happily obliged. It was probably a good 30 minutes before she finally able to grab a basket and do her shopping! She didn't mind though. So Sally made her way through the aisles. Bread, milk, orange juice, water. Lots of water. Pasta, some fruit, canned vegetables. She made her way down the feminine products aisle and as she walked by the pregnancy test she stopped and stared at them. It was negative last time. Sure, it had only been about a month but.. She really wanted this with Lightning. Sally Frowned a little and grabbed done, tossing it into the basket. Maybe she just took the last one too soon.

Sally finished up and made her way to the register. People stared. The usual thing being married to Lightning McQueen. She set her basket up for the cashier and the young lady began scanning the products. Sally glanced at the magazines and nothing to special until one caught her eyes! Lightning and Tiffany out late at night seen walking out of the movies!? OH this made her furious! Sally grabbed the magazine and tossed it into the basket. The cashier picked dit up and saw the cover and glanced at Sally. Staring at Sally. Sally's brows lowered as she snarled, "Ring it up." The lady did so and tossed it into a bag. Sally paid and left. As she walked with her few bags she grabbed out her phone and texted her husband.

Sally
Why are you going out on dates with Tiffany?

Lightning
I'm not. What are you talking about?

Sally only became more angry with her man.

Sally
I saw the photo on the cover of a magazine! You and Tiffany leaving the movies at night. What would you call that?

Lightning
Just going out with friends. I didn't think it was a problem?

Sally
If I were to do that?

Lightning
If I saw you were at the movies with Ramone, Mater, Luigi, Guido, etc... I would not think much of it. I'm sorry. It won't happen again.

Sally stared at that text. Was she over reacting? No. That girl tried to frame Lightning before.

Sally
I do not trust her or her Father. I didn't think you did either.

Lightning
I'm not sure how I feel about Tiffany. She did tell me what her Dad was planning.

Sally
I think it's all a huge joke and a trick... I'll try to find you a way out of this contract tonight.

Lightning stared at that text as he stopped from his walk outside the school. Hesitating replying. Did he want out? He knew O'Reilly was a bad dude, but everything was going well now and he was enjoying his time here. NO pressure with the whole baby thing, freedom to do what he wanted, parties being thrown just for him. SO he simply replied with

Lightning
Okay.

Sally
I love you and miss you I want you here, Lightning...

Lightning
Soon.

He put his phone in his pocket and sighed. Soon. Soon he would be back at working on the tracks the car, the baby thing. Man he was out looking forward to any of it. Did he really feel that way? He wondered if this is what Doc meant when he said he'd know when it's time to retire.. But.. Lightning wasn't ready for that. He had a bad year, happens.. What doesn't happen is being a part of a huge scheme and almost being blown up, watching your girl being threatened and beg for your life, having nightmares, being shot at the place that might as well be your second home. Lightning's heart pumped fats with all those memories. He swallowed nervously. "Lightning!" Calle dTiffany from behind. Lightning turned to see her and smiled greeting, "Hey." "Wanna go out tonight? I found this really cool club that I think you and I could enjoy!" She smiled. Lighting shook his head answering, "Nah, I'm going home. I need an early night tonight." "Oh." Tiffany stared, cocking her head a bit. "Everything okay?" She asked. Lightning put on a fake smile answering, "Yeah, of course. Just need some me time." Tiffany sighed, "Guess I get it. Call if you want some company!" She said with a wave and walking away. Lightning sighed and the silly faded. He took out the mint tin that he had refilled and slipped a pill. Just needed to relax. Not think about to many bad memories....