First off! After some some thought, I do plan to add maters sisters wedding. It will be rough and.. I don't know. It's gonna be tough because that show dumbed characters down and had very unrealistic things. I think I can tweak it for the realistic humanized fan fix here. But once I get to that in the story. Be patient in case I get some brain fog trying to figure it out. Also, I think it would do well for a reunion of Cruz and McQueen at some point. Perfect place. I like it. But for now, we have the couple working on wanting each other. Of course, I love all of your ideas! Thanks everyone for the reviews and ideas! I know I won't be able to do much for Cruz and Sally, but after some thought. Sally is way to smart for her own good sometimes and I thought.. Hmm.. She'd know better. Lightning is way to stupid and acting like a child right now to properly hide things from lawyer. So I hope u all continue to enjoy! Thanks for everything and support! Alright.! Back to the story!
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Lightning sat in the hospital bed. Hating this. The iv in his arm, the medications, just everything. Suddenly the door swung open and Sally rushed inside to his side. "Are you okay!?" She panicked. Lightning snickered assuring, "I'm fine. Just a minor set back." "Low blood pressure!? Are you kidding me? Didn't you take your medications this morning?" She asked. Lightning nodded. Sally sighed with annoyance in her breath. "This is exactly why you have to start taking these medications." "Fine, alright. I will. Just… Please don't start.. I get it, you were right. Just like you always are, okay?" He growled then looked away. His snappy tone pissed Sally off, but she let it go for now. "Stickers…" She mumbled.
Lightning frowned as he looked at her, "I'm sorry.." He apologized, "I just don't.. I didn't want to take them. I'll take the medications though, okay? From here on out.." But he'd hate it. Sally placed her hand over his. That grabbed his attention. He stared at her hand. Her soft and gentle hands. Frowning then looking up at her. She was worried about him. Felt good, but also.. He hated it. Sally sat down next to her husband in the chair next to the bed. Sitting and leaning her elbows on her knees. She was so stressed out. Lightning could see it. "I'm sorry.." He apologized again. Sally looked up at him with tears in her eyes and assured, "No, it's not you. It's fine. You're fine. You've been through a lot." She defended and wiped her eyes. Lightning could see it though. It was him. He was causing her this stress.
This pain. The tears. "Sal…" "No, no. I'm fine. I'm just.." She paused and wiped her eyes. Sniffling a bit before continuing, "I'm just glad you're okay. I mean.." She paused and giggled, "I have no right to be mad at how you have been acting and the depression. Fuck, I caused all of this." "I.." "It's funny really." She said with a laugh, "Here I am acting like some mad woman because I was worried you'd sleep with someone else and yet I fucked my ex and got pregnant." Still laughing. Fuck. She was going to snap. Lightning shook his head and tried to calm her down, "No, that di-doesn't give me any right to sleep with someone else.." Cruz.. "I'll start taking care of myself, I swear. Just… Calm down.." "Calm down?!" She said loudly with a giggle.
Sally stood up and continued, "I am calm, Lightning. But you're right! You will start taking better care of yourself. And no more hiding crap from me, alright?" She said with a smile. That was the fucking most creepiest smile he had ever saw. So Lightning shut his mouth and nodded. Not wanting to get her all angry and start a fight. Anything to keep the piece. "Great! Thank you, Stickers. We are going to be fine and be a happy little family again and become a great couple like we were, okay?" She leveraged. Lightning just stared at her. Sally was loosing it right now. Slowly, he nodded. She was a little terrifying….
Because they were hours away from home being in the hospital out of town, the couple decided to stay in a motel for the night. Drive back tomorrow sometime. Sally sat down on the couch next to Lightning and asked, "Are you okay?" Lightning glanced at her before answering, "Yeah, I'm fine.." "Lightning…" "I'm just tired. It's been a long day…" He griped at her. Sally frowned. She knew what I'm tired meant by now. "Did you take your medications?" She asked. Lightning sighed, "Yes." "Are you sure?" "Yes! Please don't be like the fucking doctors and shove those things down my throat. I'm fine! I'm tired! I'm aloud to be tired, Sally!" He snapped at her, making her jump back a bit. That jump made him feel like a piece of absolute shit.
Lightning rubbed his eyes and apologized, "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to scare you.." Sally frowned and admitted, "You scared me a little, but it's the anger more than anything.. I'm sorry I cheated." She said for the millionth time. Lightning nodded. He knew she was. She was trying. Sally scooted closer and placed her hand over his. "Stickers.. I love you…" "I love you, Sally… I do and I want to make this work." "I don't want to make this work." She admitted. Lightning immediately stared at her. Confused and surprised. "What?" He asked. Sally sighed and finally opened up, "I don't want to make this work. I want us to just be us… I hate what I did but let's be honest here. We won't be okay, Lightning. You and I?.. We want different things.."
Her eyes began to tear up as she continued, "I don't do it for you and me sleeping with Ben only made you see that. You hate me. The only reason you loved me so much is the stupid delicate innocence I gave you and I took that away." Lightning dropped down to the floor on his knees, sitting beneath her and assured, "No… No, I love you. I want us to. You did not take anything like that away. I don't hate you. I didn't love you for the weird innocent whatever that even is you are talking about. I loved you because you were just you. I just… I'm hurt. You really betrayed me with Ben, but.. I forgave you. I meant that.. I want us, alright?" "Or you want someone else.." Sally whined. "I saw how you acted around her. How you seemed happier around her.. You want her.." Sally whimpered as she crossed her arms.
Lightning shook his head answering, "I don't want anyone else. I don't understand. I came back home with you.. I chose you over racing.. Who is her?" "No one…" Sally whimpered, turning her face away. Lightning sighed. Cruz. Fuck. Lightning sat there in front of her knees and tried opening up to her gently, "Sally.. Things are just… Bad right now.. We are going to get through this.. I told you I'd take the medications.." "And what about the alcohol in the Bolt!?" She snapped! Glaring down with anger at him. Lightning frowned asking, "You found that, huh?" Sally looked away, but yeah she did. Lightning sighed, "I didn't drink any of it.. I just"-"Got it just in case? In case what? You decided you needed a drink?" She asked.
Lightning stared up at her. He hurt her buying that. "Sally, I'm sorry." "I am so sure. As long as I let you drink and fuck around, you will be nice and won't hit me, right?" She was holding a grudge on that one and had every right to. Lightning thought a moment before speaking again, "Sal, I'm sorry.. I.. I don't know why I"-"I'm not stupid, Lightning…" Sally growled quietly. The two fell silent. He knew better. She knew better. "What could we possibly salvage from this marriage?.." She asked with such a broken heart. Lightning shrugged, "I don't know.. I hope us.." He smiled a bit. Mostly because he was trying to get her to smile. Sally sighed and stared at him, "How?.. You use sex for everything. Sex is what helps you… I don't know if it's because you're a guy or a bit of a creep or why that is, but it's true and you can't even touch me.." "That's not true." Lightning argued.
Sally only snapped back with, "It is true! You can barely touch me. You can't even look at me when you fuck me!" She was hurt and angry. Finally letting it all out. "I know what I did with Ben was wrong, but you weren't there!" "I was in a coma!" Lightning reminded loudly! Sally finally stood up and stepped away as she argued, "It was not just a coma! I watched you die! I watched blood pour out of your mouth! I watched your heart stop! I watched them save your ass multiple times! I was told to prepare for the worse! Your own god dam brother gave up on you! Do you even know that!? Chad told them no more! I had to deal with that! I had no choice and no say in my own future because of you!" "I didn't want you to have to make those kinds of decisions!" "So you take that right away from me!? You made sure I could not fight for us! I almost lost you!" she shouted!
Lightning only arguing, "I did that for you!" "Oh please! You were prepared to die and leave me behind! Did you even think that far!? What would have happened if you died!?" "I didn't die!" "That's not the point, Lightning! I had to see you with tubes and wires and things coming out of you! I had to have them tell me that I had no legal rights to my own husband and no say on anything that happens! I couldn't fight for you!" "Because I wanted it that way!" "You wanted me to suffer!?" "Well what would you have done!? I'm alive!" "Well no thanks to Chad!" "Sally"-"No! You can see me as a whore all you want! But I was stressed out and alone and needed a way out! They told me to say goodbye! You choose alcohol and drugs! So stop judging me for my mistake! I chose Ben as my way out!" She screamed as she cried. Lightning stared at her.
Trying to make sense of this breakdown! "Sal…" he muttered. Sally shook her head and snarled, "I would have gave my all into bringing you back to life! Why was I not worthy of those decisions!?" "It wasn't about being worthy! I didn't-fuck! Why is this even a thing with you right now!?" Lightning yelled! Sally yelling back, "Because if you hadn't had pushed so god dam hard, we wouldn't even be here! We were fine! We were happy! But then you had to go and try to kill yourself for a fucking sport!" "So you wanted me to give up!?" "You could have retired like Cal!" "So if that's what you wanted, why didn't you say anything!?" "I did! You didn't listen! You never listen!" Sally shouted! Lightning only growled, "I'm listening now!" "A lot of good that's doing! Like you would ever choose me over racing!?" "But I just did!" Lightning reminded!
Sally loudly growled with frustration! "You just don't get it! You weren't there!" Lightning only reminding, "I WAS IN A COMA! What did you want me to do!?" "Just listen to me! You weren't there! You were dying! Chad told them not to try anymore! There was nothing left of me to give you! I gave up on you!" "So you thought I was going to die, who cares!? I'm alive and I'm here now!" "That doesn't matter right now! I gave up on you because the doctors said you were not going to make it! They gave you five days! Five days, Lightning! You showed no hope of coming back to me! So I gave up on you! I accepted it! That you were never coming out of that hospital alive and I'm sorry for that!"
She was just screaming and crying hysterically at this point. Lightning sighed, "Sal, it's okay.. I forgave you.. You.. You don't have to worry about any of that now.." he assured. Sally shook her head, "You hate me and I can see it!.. The way you fuck me.. Act around me… Treat me…" "I don't hate you anymore.. I'll admit I did for a while, but"-"Now that I lost the baby, right?" Sally snarled rudely. Lightning stared at her. She wasn't entirely wrong there though. That baby was a big problem for them to make it. "If I hadn't have lost that baby.. You were leaving.." She reminded. Lightning shrugged, "I don't know that for sure.. I was just angry.. It's a lot to take in and so I said a lot of things… but.. I'm here." "Oh please.. If the press got ahold of us now?.. They'd rip us apart.. Tear into the image you created.." "What are you saying? You're not making sense to me, Sal." "I'm saying we stay married. For the public eye, we have to be the happy and romantic couple they know! To them, we just lost a god dam baby because you wanted to pretend it was yours!" "I did that to save you!" Lightning shouted and instantly became angry!
Sally yelling back, "I could have handled it!" "No! Not that! Trust me! I know you and that would have been to much!" He snarled! Sally crossed her arms. Calming down. But she felt awful for giving up on him like she did and this entire argument was ridiculous. Sally shook her head staring at him. Thinking about all of this. Did she love him anymore?. Of course! But she didn't see him as the same fun, playful, outgoing, smart and sometimes immature man she married. He was a drunk! He hit her! He was sexually cruel at this point and it hurt her heart.
She wanted this marriage. Not because she was settling, but because she truly loved Lightning. She would do anything to see him happy again, but… She had to start putting herself first a little bit. Making him choose between the racing world and her was all she knew to do! Because she could not watch him drink himself away and destroy himself. "Are you even attracted to me anymore?.." Sally asked quietly. Lightning scoffed, "Of course." "Even after what I did?.." "Yes, Sally.." "So why can't you touch me?" She asked as she wiped her eyes. Lightning sighed. He understood now. She longed for that feeling of them connected, making love and he did to really. They hadn't had that connection really sense the accident. Months ago. Month after month of fighting, screaming, name calling, blaming, pushing each other, slamming doors, drinking..
They both longed for that connection with one another. Problem here is that Lightning had made that connection with someone else.. He didn't mean to.. But Cruz.. She was…. So… Amazing and he craved her touch, her presence. Staring at Sally.. He knew this would take a little force and a little work. He loved her, he just… Lost some of his feelings for her. And Sally.. She lost a log of respect and didn't see him as her knight in shining armor anymore. He was unattractive thanks to the alcohol and depression. He was rather pathetic and watching him become someone he's not made her feel sick. She was having to baby sit Lightning just to make sure he didn't die! At least that's what it felt like.
She was becoming his mother, not his wife anymore. "If you want me to, I can. I promise you it's not a problem." He assured. Sally looked disgusted and explained, "I don't want you to just touch me, Lightning. I want us to make love, I want us to feel something between us again. Not this quick crap you've done what? Two times?" Lightning stared at her. He couldn't help it. Having sex with her was… Eehh… Not entirely her fault. He couldn't think straight. Maybe the happy pills would help with that. "I.. I want that to, alright.. But it's not like we are just going to magically be back to how things were. It's going to take work, Sal." He reminded. Sally sniffled and nodded.
Lightning hated that he hurt her so much all of the time. He stepped up to her and lifted her chin. "Hey.. I love you.. I'm here." He reminded softly. Sally nodded a little. Feeling a tear roll down her face. Lightning leaned in and kissed her lips softly. Was there much connection between them right now? No. But they were going to work on it….
It was later in the day that the couple got home. Sally parking the car in the drive way and turning it off. "We can go pick up your car from the clinic tomorrow. I'm going to relax in a bath." She growled and got out the car. Lightning got out and ran to her. Stopping her in her steps. Staring directly into her eyes. "Sally… I love you." He assured. Sally snickered replying, "Yeah, I love you too." Sure didn't sound like she meant it though. She frowned and walked around him. Heading into the house. Lightning sighed. Standing there for a moment. Not sure how to fix this crap between them. They were just to broken apart at this point….
The two lay in bed. Staring at the ceiling. Sally sighing asked, "Did you take your medication?" Lightning hummed a, "Mmmhmm.." "I think I'll go work at Wheel Well tomorrow. Could be nice to stare down at the town a little. The view is nice up there.." "Yeah…" "Want to join me?" Sally asked as she looked at him. Lightning looked at her. A little surprised. "Sure." He answered. "I could use the drive." He admitted. Sally smiled at him. That was such a sweet smile. Lightning smiled back then sat up and crawled over her. Gazing down into her eyes. Sally smile fading. Lightning leaned in and kissed her gently. Their lips pressing against one another's.
Eyes closed as they embraced each others warm and soft lips. Lightning pulled up, parting their lips. Smiling down at her. He was trying. Sally stared up into his blue eyes. But… All she could see was his cruel words.. His yelling.. His anger… The many times he was drunk. She frowned as she stared up at him. He wasn't the man she loved anymore. He was a completely different man. And she knew. It wasn't just her. Lightning fell apart long before that. She took too long to step it. Sally felt such guilt. The Grand Prix is where it all started. He began falling apart the moment they got home. And he had ups and downs, but he had become so good at putting on a show..
The anxiety he experienced, the nightmares, the president of the sport pushing him, the drugs, the drinking with friends and suicidal spells.. He fell apart long before the accident and she failed him. She should have stepped in and done something about it sooner because now he lost himself. And Sally was afraid that if he couldn't come back to himself, then he'd never come back to her as the man she loved. And that hurt. "Stop…" Sally finally muttered. Lightning stared down at her. Raising a brow as he replied, "I'm only trying to"-"I know.. Not tonight, Lightning… I'm not in the mood." She said. Turning away. Lightning sighed. Crawling off her and laying next to her. Other than sex, he didn't know what to do. Buying Sally meaningless crap would not help, it wasn't like he was trying to wooh her, he was trying to heal her. But how? He wish he knew….
Lightning woke up first. He sat up and glanced over at Sally. Time to try. He got up. Slipped on a shirt and his pajama pants. Going into the kitchen and making coffee. Making a quick breakfast of eggs and toast. Simple and light. But it was a bigger breakfast than Sally had been eating lately. Suddenly, Sally appeared. Lightning looked at her and smiled, "Good morning, beautiful." He greeted. Sally smiled and asked, "Did you make coffee?" Lightning nodded then grabbed a cup. "I'll make you a cup. Sit down. I made you a small breakfast before work." Sally sat down. Watching him as he set a hot coffee mug down and then a plate of scrambled eggs and toast with her favorite spread.
Sally snickered then looked up at him and asked, "What's this about?" "I want to show you in trying. Plus, you've been through a lot lately. I just want to be nice." He assured then sat next to her. Sally picked at the food. Eating slowly as Lightning began, "I want to say I'm sorry to.. I never thought about what all you went through when I had the accident. All I could think of was the fact you slept with Ben. I never took a step back and thought about how long I had been in that coma and what the doctors could have been telling you. I'm sorry for that. I love you and I also want to apologize for not telling you about the proxy thing.. I really did it because I didn't want you to have to deal with making tough decisions.. I didn't want you to have to live with that if I died." Sally frowned and asked, "Than… Why did Chad say you told him to pull the plug if your quality of life was bad?.."
Lightning frowned a bit answering, "I'm sorry.. I just.. I didn't want to live a life that made me a disabled vegetable for you.. And at the time I did that… Cal had his accident and it scared me.. After the incident at the track with the guy and the gun… I just… I fell into depression and I.. I didn't want to live through all that. I wasn't thinking and I'm sorry…" he apologized again. Sally sighed. Taking her coffee and sipping on it. Setting it down she asked, "Do you think you'll be happy here? With no more racing?.." Lightning shrugged answering, "I'm happy being with you. Sure, I'll miss it. But I choose you, Sally. I want you." He assured with a smile. Sally raised a brow and asked, "Did you take your medication this morning?" Lightning nodded. Sally smiled hearing that and sipped her coffee again. Lightning sat with her.
Feeling bad he never thought about what happened in the hospital after the accident. "Chad wants me to come down." "No." "What do you mean no?" Asked Lightning. Sally set down the mug and explained, "I can't watch you down there. Not like I can here. I don't trust you alone. You will just wind up going out and drinking." "First off, I said no more alcohol and I meant that. I'm not drinking ever again. Secondly, he's my brother." "Tell him to come here." "He… He knows." Lightning admitted. Sally raised a brow and asked, "Knows what?" "About Ben.. The baby.." Sally's eyes widened hearing this! "You told Chad!?" She asked in shock! Lightning nodded answering, "I had to! I needed to talk to someone… He's my brother.. But.. Because if that.. He asked I don't bring you along next time I visit.." "Chryslers… Fine… But I don't trust you." She warned. Lightning frowned.
How could he make her trust her down there? "Fine. Come with me." He griped. Sally crossed her arms and growled, "Why? So your family can hate me?" "We can get a motel and stay there. I can visit Chad and my Mom while you stay at the motel. Mom doesn't know. Just Chad." Sally frowned. Thinking. Honestly, she didn't want to, but she was afraid to leave Lightning alone. "Can't you wait?" She asked. Lightning shrugged, "I could, but it's not like I have anything going on here. I want you to come." He smiled.
Sally's brows lowered, "It will only cause a fight between Chad and I.. We didn't exactly get along at the hospital.." "You two seemed fine to me. I mean.. After he found out what you did, he doesn't like you, but he's my brother. He will get over it. Come with me, please." "Um… Alright…" Sally finally gave in. Mostly because she didn't want him not taking his meds or drinking with her not being around him. She was tired of his go, go, go attitude. Always having to do something. They were finally home and now they had to go off to Texas. She needed to work, she needed to be home, it needed to be just them. Was he that bored already? "Ugh… Let's just get dressed and go to Wheel Well already. I need to make sure the place is still standing after being away forever." Sally muttered…..
The couple pulled up the motel. Sally parking the car and getting out. Lightning watched her walk around the car and into the entrance of the motel. He sighed. She didn't want him going and she didn't want to go to Texas. How stupid was he to ask her that? Lightning got out the car and shut the door. Walking out through the dining area and standing next to their spot. Looking out over the town. It was beautiful in the morning. So peaceful. He wanted this more than anything. Turning around and looking back at the motel. That's when he realized there were no guest. No guest? Lightning made his way to the bar entrance where he found Sally sitting at the bar and going over some paperwork. "Hey, why aren't there any guests?.." Lightning asked.
Sally sighed before admitting, "Well.. I've been stressed and two motels was a lot when you had the accident.. Then the pregnancy… I let the guests that were here finish their stay and I didn't fill the rooms after.. So the place kind of sat. The cozy cone was the money maker and so I had Ben help me with it.. So.. Yep.. The place is empty." She announced as she looked up at the ceiling. Lightning leaned on the bar counter as he replied, "Well.. If we have the entire place to ourselves, I got an idea." He smiled then walked around the booth of the bar. Sally raised a brow and asked, "What are you doing?" Lightning turned on the music of the motel bar then walked around and lent out his hand, "How about a dance?" Sally's brows raised as she stared at him with surprise.
Slowly. Almost cautiously, she took his hand and he pulled her off the stool. Pulling her close as they danced to the country tune playing over the speakers. Sally staring into his eyes. Trying to read him. Trying to understand him. He was trying. So he obviously wanted this. But was he in love with her? It was the sweetest thing. The two of them dancing together. It melted her heart. Sally smiled then leaned into his chest as they danced slowly. Lightning kissing the top of her head and assuring, "I love you, Sally.." "I love you to.."