Chapter 5: Doubts.

Finally at the W.W. Motel, Francesco and Sally arrived at the luxury suite, he stood in front of the large window that looked out onto the lookout and from there to the Interstate next to the road that led to the town of Radiator Springs.

-It's beautiful, isn't it? – She asked, approaching step by step near the Italian man's position. Always excited by the view of that landscape that she fell in love with many years ago, a feeling that had not changed until now.

Francesco shook his head affirmatively, although to kill the moment when Sally was daydreaming, he added a typical phrase of his.

-I've seen better, especially when Francesco is looking at himself in the mirror. –

-Oh... – It was the only thing she added, raising an eyebrow, it was very unromantic. At least Lightning the first time had been kind enough to ask more about what motivated her to become so attached to the place.

Although McQueen changed quite a bit from his past arrogant act, comparing him to Francesco back then... There was a big difference between the two of them.

Sally smiled, remembering several points of why she fell in love with her, now, husband. McQueen was always willing to please her, traits of his personality became more docile, humble and understandable only by her.

-But very different from the view from down there, it's surprising that a change of perspective amazes the world, don't you think? - Francesco spoke again.

-Huh? ... Yes, it's really amazing... - She forgot for a second the presence of her guest. -Well, I'll let you settle in and rest, I have to get back to work.

Sally turned around to leave, walked to the door.

-Aren't you staying to take a nap with me? - A sudden request from him. His tone of voice was very normal, he asked it as if it were an extremely simple thing to do.

-Wha... What? – She turned around with a bit of blush on her cheeks, but she couldn't stay long with her gaze on those intense and striking brown eyes. She lowered her head and laughed lightly, then bravely looked up at Francesco again. -You're joking, right? –

-Haha, of course. – It was his answer, but deep down, the joke wasn't that big of a deal.

-Then I'll see you later, rest well. – Sally said goodbye and finally left the Suite.

The Italian man shrugged and looked at the window again, this time with nostalgia. He thought for a moment about Sally, something completely out of place having occurred to him, he closed his eyes for a second and sighed. Secretly, he had desired her on occasions when he visited the town, but out of respect for her relationship with McQueen and because he now had a huge confusion in his mind and heart, his impulses to want to possess the American woman were only to satisfy his carnal hunger, his fear of loneliness and at the same time to forget.

He knew that with his trick of being a gallant he could get Sally in a moment of weakness, although at the same time he would destroy her and not only her, also Lightning and her family, it would be falling low, so low that he would lose more than he could gain. Aware of all…

It was difficult idea to erase.

Four days passed and things were going normally, Francesco took daily walks through the town, surrounded by girls who accompanied him to drink something or simply chat, the rest of the time he spent with McQueen, who with the help of Cruz and Tim reopened the Hudson Hornet school.

Lightning tolerated the visits of the Italian racer very well, especially because he hadnt mentioned Sally beyond asking how she and their son were doing, for some reason, Francesco only approached her at the Cozy Cone no more than to say "Hello".

On the morning of the fifth day, McQueen was going to give instruction, the Italian guy, showed up earlier than usual. Mater meanwhile spent his free time with his friend, right now he was helping to open the doors of the NASCAR school and raising the awnings that covered the windows.

-That's it! - Mater announced, finishing that job, it was much hotter than usual, so he took a handkerchief out of one of his pants pockets and wiped the sweat from his forehead. -Phew... Today is more unbearable than ever. - He smiled approaching the place where Lightning was standing, who was writing a few things in a notebook.

Francesco watched him with his eyes almost over his shoulder, McQueen felt quite uncomfortable with that, to stop grinding his teeth, he better spoke to Mater.

-Why didn't you stay home with Holley? Taking advantage of the air conditioning... - The blue-eyed man asked.

-You're crazy! Holley is in a worse mood every day, I always thought that for a woman becoming a future mother would be the most incredible and beautiful thing in the history of her life, but she... ouch no, Chrysler! - He shook his head in denial. - No sir! I'm going to stay here with you even if the heat crushes me, I prefer that to Holley crushing me with her own hands, so you are obliged to give me any job or I will hold you responsible if you find me dead because of her. -

-It's normal, my friend, Holley had to temporarily leave her job at C.H.R.O.M.E. which was what she loved doing the most, and women always talk about their physical changes when they are pregnant, they feel fat, ugly and... you know, they see themselves as deformed. – It was something that McQueen and Mater had talked about so many times. Although now, combined with the heat, it all sounded worse.

-It's one of the reasons why it's better to be single and be with a woman occasionally. – The Italian guy commented.

-Do you think we're going to envy you for that? Of course not. – Lightning said with a slightly unfriendly tone. – As for me, lately I think that when you reach or pass thirty it's time to think about more serious things, of course you should include fun, but not at an exaggerated pace. –

-I imagine you're saying that because of your friend who is over than forty years old. – Francesco chuckles, looking at Mater. – Anyway, he's lucky, Holley is a young and very pretty woman, I can't believe she has a bad temper... And such bad taste. – He whispered that last phrase.

-Hey, if you're going to stay here all day, do something useful and... shut your mouth, okay? – McQueen asked the Italian man, who sometimes had no filter with words.

But that didn't seem to bother Mater at all, he just shrugged and smiled carefree. Deep down he knew he was much luckier than Francesco.

That afternoon, after closing the school and before Lightning returned home, Mater waited for the two of them to be alone, he wanted to discuss a topic with his friend.

They walked down the road as they did constantly when they met, to the ironic silent rhythm of the place.

-McQueen... - Mater began, looking down a little at his companion, he was much taller than the blond guy, so he always had to look down on him. - I always talk about Holley's mood, but... well, it's not her I want to talk about, I've noticed you're very grumpy these days too. I see that you treat Mr. San Francisco more badly than an enemy, you didn't even treat Chick Hicks like that when it was a matter of being on the track or passing through town. - He sighed. – Look, everyone knows the rivalry between the two of you, you usually attack each other with words, although now, you seem much angrier with him, more than ever. Every time he comes you share more; you even laugh and compete. Lately nothing like that has happened, almost a week has passed. –

Lightning looked away for a second and they both stopped right in a pasture, where there was only a group of sleeping cows.

-Mater... I'm going to tell you what's happening to me, I want you to draw a conclusion, please tell me if I'm exaggerating. –

-Go ahead. – Mater said and sat down on a pile of straw near the place, waiting to hear what his friend had to say.

-Well... - McQueen also took a place to sit, on the pasture, in front of the green-eyed man. And he began to speak. – The truth is... I'm very jealous of Francesco, since it was announced that he was arriving, Sally has been acting stranger than ever, she had given up on her obligations with Lance, looking for Flo to give her a hand as long as necessary to take care of her "idol". Listen, you and I both know that she is a woman who is very dedicated to her work and to our son, but this time... It's like she's in the clouds, I don't understand her, even though after a few days she supposedly hasn't seen Francesco except to say hello, she's still just as distant with me. - There was a silence at that moment.

-Oh friend, maybe you're imagining things with your jealousy that blinds you, if you say that they haven't exchanged more words than what happened upon his arrival, then it's true, I directly suppose that you think that she is becoming disenchanted with you and will give a chance with Mr. San Francisco. But... - Mater didn't really want to be against or in favor of one or the other, although to give Sally the benefit of the doubt, he added. - No, I honestly don't think that Miss Sally is capable of hurting you. She loves you. Come on, it took you both too long to finally make way for marriage, I don't think she would spoil it just like that. - Mater said. Seriously, he, who had known her longer than McQueen, couldn't believe she was capable of such a deception.

-Yes, it's exactly the same thing Flo told me last time... – Lightning whispered.

-See? If more people think like me, then you have nothing to worry about. – He smiled widely, giving the "let's go" signal and stood up, approaching his friend to pat him on the back a little. – It's time to go home, relax and rest, don't think about it anymore, you're going to get bitter for nothing. –

-Yes, it's okay, you're right. – McQueen was finally able to show a small smile. – Thanks Mater. –

Finally the two friends went home...

Although to be honest... Lightning wasn't too convinced yet.

To be continued...

Disclaimer:

-This fic originally belongs to me. (c) Shadoru.

-The characters belong to Cars (c) Disney. PIXAR

-Sorry my bad English.