Yeah, I’ll look at it whenever it gets put up.
I’ll be here. 
Thanks for your patience everybody! 
'Bout time for a new chapter! And my favourite one! I better just post it before I gush and spoil it…
“Bullets”
“Are those buffoons gone?” Finn crept forward letting the door fall silently behind him.
“Finn! You rascal! How did you escape?” Holley bursted.
“It isn’t of importance right now. I’d like to know what you of all cars are doing here?” he demanded impatiently.
“I came to rescue you!” she exclaimed. Was he really concerned and angry that she hadn’t reported to headquarters first?
“And I’m ashamed of you for it. Please, do lower your voice though.”
“What?! Finn, they were going to kill you!”
“Of course they were. Have I not told you I’m a wanted car in these parts? But what were you thinking tracking me down yourself? You should know standard procedure Miss Shiftwell, so why didn’t you follow it?” Finn pressed on.
“There wasn’t time for that kind of business,” she argued heatedly, “We both know how slow they would have been to send out help! And I- I’ve grown to become fond of your existence so I took matters into my own tires!”
Finn blinked with surprise at her last statement, knowing exactly how much she meant by it. He didn’t soften his voice however and continued, “That’s a tad out of character for you not to follow regulations. You should have known better than to risk your life like that.”
Holley’s mouth dropped open with disbelief. “So, this is the thanks I get for trying to save you?! I thought you were a more respectable car than that!”
“Indeed, I am. But that doesn’t make your actions any less out of line,” he said moving closer to unlock one of her parking boots.
“Oh? Then what might I ask are you doing here trying to rescue me?” she replied jerking away her tire from him.
Finn reversed, startled by the hardness in his partner’s voice. It was a tricky question to answer but at last he said, “Now don’t be ridiculous.” He knew Holley was right in calling him out for being a hypocrite, but he couldn’t find the words to tell her why he was really doing it. As her eyes bore into him he quickly added, “If you think I would leave a comrade behind then you are barking mad!”
Her tone turned icy, “Leave me, Finn. I’ll free myself.”
“And just how do you plan on doing that with your weapons disassembled?” he inquired.
Her brow furrowed as she stammered, “I-I don’t know…but I’ll do it!”
Finn grinned plaintively, “I don’t doubt that, my dear, but we haven’t time to spare. If you’ll just let me-.”
“No! Don’t you dare touch me Finn McMissile!” she threatened as he moved nearer to the parking boot. She could see his mind working and his eyes glinted as though he was enjoying the fight she was putting up.
He moved closer still and coaxed, “Miss Shiftwell, do calm yourself…”
“If you even lay a single tire on me I’ll-.”
“Oh, for the love of England!” he cut her off and gave a small smile. It was that certain smile he wore when she did all the things he found so utterly attractive. If she was observant enough she would have noticed that, but she hadn’t. The determination and power in her voice right now felt so infectious, it was driving him to think up crazy ideas.
“Miss Shiftwell, you’re going to have to keep the noise level down.”
“I won’t have you telling me what to do!” she shot back in return. For a second he stayed still, not trying to edge closer to her.
“Then will this quiet you?” he asked her calmly, and in one swift, swooping moment he moved forward to let his cool lips rest upon her mouth. His lips traversed and glided over hers with vehemence, like he’d been waiting too long for this chance.
In an instant he separated from her and she was left feeling swept off her tires. Every kiss she’d ever had (which was less than one would think), seemed so forced and planned. But this came like second nature. It amazed her how such a simple gesture could be so powerful. He’d sent sparks through he body and roused energy she didn’t even know she had left. Yes, this had to be what the girls had meant; this was love in its truest and purest form.
Finn’s heart ran wildly, but not because he was afraid. It had been a long while since he’d kissed a female and he couldn’t believe he’d really done it. He’d only meant it to be short and sweet, like a timid peck to show that he cared. Obviously his body had other ideas. Judging by her starry-eyed expression it had done wonders to silence her though, which was what he wanted.
Ladies can be so damn stubborn sometimes. Well, and massively charming too… he thought as he rushed to her sides to remove all the restricting devices.
Holley remained silent until she was able to move freely again. “Shhh, I think I hear them coming down the hall,” she whispered.
“How many?” Finn mouthed.
“Two, maybe three,” she communicated back.
Finn nodded as Holley retrieved her gun from the floor in the shady light. Without asking, she attached it firmly to Finn’s frontal wheel.
“I’ll take them out. Follow after you hear five shots,” he ordered. Finn cut through the dim room and pushed himself out the door.
Holley held her breath in anticipation and soon enough she heard a shot ring out.
One.
Two more piercing blasts.
Three.
Another whizzing bullet.
Four.
Bang! Bang!
Five…Six…
…Six?
I just love everything about how this one turned out. Their convo, the kiss, the epic ending. Please comment if you liked! <img src="//pixarplanet-forums.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/c/cc83e9b583138e48ff45f96609046b06d06c7f9d.gif" width="15" height="15" alt=":mrgreen:" title="Mr. Green"/>I loved it! It was well worth the wait. I can see why it is your favorite chapter. I think you did a phenomenal job.
Great chapter! I think it has to be one of my favorite chapters of any of your fan-fictions.
[size=150]EPIC.[/size] I was looking forward to this chapter seeing as how you kept saying it was your favorite and now I see why! Yes, the conversation, the kiss, and the unbelievable ending were all awesome! I just loved everything about it too. I like how Finn and Holley kissed and then go on as nothing happened when it came to the matter at hand, that’s spies for you. 
I wonder what they’re going to say when they actually talk about it. Six? 
I’m so excited and slightly afraid to read the next chapter!
Thanks everyone! I am super pumped that this chapter went over so well. And SallyMcQueen, I’m happy you picked up on that. What I’m talking about is the bit where they continue on like nothing happened, I thought it worked too being that they are spies and all. Next chapter out tomorrow hopefully!
I’m looking forward to it.
Same here. Whenever it’s ready I’ll read it.
I third that notion! (In other words, “same here!”. I just wanted to spice it up. 
)
Love to see the eager-beaver readers. Sorry if this one has poor spelling, I didn’t check as good as normally on this one.
“Promise”
One shot too many, she knew right away it was wrong. Her insides turned cold and like a sixth sense she could already see what was waiting outside the door.
“Quick! Cover the exits so she won’t get out! She could be anywhere in the building by now,” a strong, authoritative voice conducted. Convinced that Holley had already escaped the room, the pack could be heard squealing off in all directions.
When the screeching of rubber disappeared, Holley mustered her courage to slip out of the room. On shaking tires she prepared herself for what she would see, although she could never be ready enough for what lied outside.
The first thing she saw was oil, and lots of it. Inky liquid seeped into the cracks of the floor and streaked the walls like in a gory film. But this was real, all too real for Holley’s liking. To have her tires slashed in the moment would have been a gift if it meant looking no further. If it meant not seeing the disturbing sight of her partner, she’d have gladly taken it.
Finn slumped low on his tires, groaning with the most severe pain he’d ever felt in his entire life. Five of the six bullets had dug straight through into his pristine body. All around him, oil ran viscously from his wounds and left him on the verge of blacking out.
An unexplainable force drove Holley to him and she whimpered, “F-Finn…Oh, please…”
“Go…get out of here,” he said between striking interjections of pain.
“No, Finn, you can’t die, you just can’t. I won’t let you,” she told him with moisture on her waterline.
He didn’t speak but bit his lip, and with a tiny ‘clink’ a sphere rolled out from beneath him. Holley had not yet handled a bomb but she recognized it when she saw it. Only a few agents were permitted to carry one so highly explosive and Finn had set it ticking already.
“Finn, I can’t,” Holley blustered with fear,
“You have to, it’s the only way,” he said knowingly.
“No, Finn…I can’t do it,” she repeated weakly.
“Holley…please,” he used her first name for the first time, and she took notice like he hoped.
She hesitated for a minute but drove over top of the bomb, allowing her undercarriage to grab hold of it. Little over a minute and a half remained on it leaving no more time for debate. “Promise me you won’t die. That’s all I ask of you,” she begged.
She needed all the confidence she could find to get through this and he knew it. His breathing had become increasingly shallow but what air he did have he used to form the words, “I promise.”
As the bomb hit one minute Holley gave him one last look of sorrow before taking off down the hall at her highest speed. Her not yet fallen tears dried with the rush of air and she put all focus on her driving. She aimed to find the front entrance, but being in a foreign building put up somewhat of an obstacle. She was aware of the continual ticking beneath her as time ran on and she swerved recklessly through the hallways.
Tearing forward she could tell she was getting closer when a number of guards began chasing close behind her. Hollering and uproar sounded from the Audis and several attempted to fire at her while she raced on. Bullets soared from all directions, ricocheting off the walls around her. She thought she felt several graze her rear but the thought passed faster than it was formed.
Finally, the door came into view. A group of guards were awaiting her and didn’t vacillate to shoot at her as their target. Holley darted carelessly through them and revved her engine to full throttle. Escape was in reach but she didn’t go for the door like expected. That would be like driving straight into a mine field. Instead she dodged to her left and drove straight for the window. With the speed and velocity she’d obtained her tires lifted effortlessly from the floor and she released the bomb from below.
Crashing through the glass she couldn’t hear the bomb hit the floor, but once outside she heard frantic yelling and burning rubber as the final seconds slipped away. As she descended back to the ground she heard the explosion sound. It was the kind of noise one would imagine if the world was ending. Cringe-worthy, heart attack-evoking, it was a splitting and paralyzing sound.
Back on solid ground Holley slammed on her brakes. Turning more than sharply, she jerked around to examine the building. For a moment she blocked all noise and absorbed all in her plane of vision. Fire had erupted and was engulfing everything it came in contact with. Glass had been blown from nearly all the northern windows and the roof above and began caving in. Up in the sky she could see ash-filled smoke billowing up in great clouds that blended with the blackening sky. The wind gusted strongly and its ghastly whistling brought Holley back to her full attention.
Suddenly she heard crackling from her radio and a voice came through the static with urgency, “H-Holley! Holley! Finn’s not picking up, where are you?”
Holley felt sick when she recognized who it was; Duncan. She didn’t say a word in response.
“Shiftwell, retreat! Right now! I demand you retreat!” he growled.
“I don’t take orders from murderers…or traitors,” Holley spat back. The line went quiet and Holley waited to hear the rescue vehicles in the distance. However, she didn’t hear them, and by the time they arrived the building would be a lost cause. It didn’t matter anyways, she wasn’t letting Finn McMissile die on her watch…
Not my best cliffhanger but I hope it wasn't too shabby. You guys are awesome so if you liked this chapter then I'd love to know! Or if there is room for improvement of course, always got time to read that too! :slight_smile:Great chapter! This sure got me excited to see what’s going to happen next. Keep up the great work!
And that’s what I love to do!
Yeah, I always love reading your cliffhangers. They always catch my interest in what would happen next.
I agree. Your cliffhangers are the best. Although this one wasn’t too shabby, it doesn’t top “Six?”- that was of epic proportions.
[size=150]FINN! OH MY WORD![/size] (That was supposed to be read in a British accent, by the way.) Oh my gosh, I was only expecting like one of the bullets to hit him but five?! Chrysler. I love the scene with Finn and Holley before she drives off, especially when he tires her the bomb and also when he says her first name for the first time…like ever. It’s really meaningful. <3 I see you took my advice from like the third chapter? Or was it fourth? The one where Wheel Well went up in flames and I gave you advice on your scenery descriptions, I guess you could call them. But anyway, thanks for taking that into consideration- that’s a true compliment when someone does that. Grrrr, darn you Duncan. He thinks he’s sneaky, trying to get Holley to retreat. Hmph. 
Well, I’ve got news for you, bud. She’s not leaving her partner behind, that’s for sure!
Great Chapter. You described everything very well. And a cliffhanger that keeps you interested in what will happen next.
So you did enjoy the cliffhanger? Awesome! SallyMcQueen: You’re right, I could never top that one. And yes, your advice was taken. I feel like the description in this one really touched more than one sense like you mentioned. I’m happy you noticed! And I like how you always tell me what you enjoyed best out of the whole chapter, lets me know how things are going over with the readers and if they are getting the feelings I want them to.
Didn’t think I would get this one out on time, but here it is! Woot! Please enjoy!
“White Light”
Finn opened his eyes lazily with his vision fuzzed and blurry. All around him was shapelessly white, but straight ahead he could see the outline of a purple car. He couldn’t see clearly but he knew it was Holley as she stayed motionless waiting for him.
He didn’t feel any pain; his body had gone entirely numb. And his tires didn’t move, but he felt himself moving closer and closer to Holley. With no connection to his body it almost seemed like he was outside of himself. This had to be Heaven…this is what it felt like to have your spirit lifted to a new world. But did that mean Holley had died too? The thought of her dying, and at such a young age, hurt to imagine. At she was safe with him now.
As he drifted closer the curves of her body became defined and he could read her expression. Oddly, she didn’t appear to have a mystical essence to her like he felt he had. She was just…Holley.
Holley watched attentively as the nurse lowered the gurney and transferred Finn to the hospital bed. His eyes were open but she could tell he was out of it. Baked, stoned, drunk, whatever you wanted to call it, he looked the part from all the medicines and anaesthetic. While it was hilarious to see her straight-laced partner in such a state, she forced herself to keep a grave face. They could laugh about it later when drugs wore off and the wrath of pain passed.
The nurse explained it would be a while before he was back to his normal level of comprehension, but Holley kindly told her she’d wait for him. The nurse looked slightly annoyed but gave her a dismissive smile and left her alone with him.
She sat quietly while Finn mumbled different sounds that she assumed were meant to be words. A few times she thought she could pick her name out from his ramble but it was hard to tell. She nodded as if she understood his sputtering and eventually convinced him to get some sleep.
Finn napped with some occasional snores as she watched television for the time being. Every English new channel was broadcasting images of the burnt down building and flashing photographs of Duncan with his name in the headline. Like Finn, he had been near the back of the building and managed to flee the scene. Holley had already received several phone calls from C.H.R.O.M.E. praising her work and letting her know that they were hot on Duncan’s trail. Since he had been a part of the company they had a good idea of all his possible hiding spots and assured her that he wouldn’t elude them much longer.
After a bit she turned the TV off and dozed off to sleep as well.
“Holley?” Finn whispered gently from the bed.
At the sound of his voice her eyes sprang open, “Ah, Finn, you’re awake at last.”
“Yes, I am, but…I have a feeling I was awake earlier as well?” he said with confusion.
Holley giggled, “Oh, you were awake alright but you were anywhere but here!”
Finn’s windshield rose with embarrassment and he moved his tires to be sure he was still intact.
Seeing this, Holley told him, “You’re not dead, Finn. After all, you promised.”
“I promised what, may I ask?”
“Oh, never mind,” she said casually. She knew that he may never remember what he’d said, but it would be written on her heart forever. “Tell me, what is the last thing you remember?” Holley asked curiously.
Finn dug into his mind and gnawed his lip when it came back to him. “Kissing you…”
“Oh!” Holley smiled bashfully. The pent up butterflies were released from the cage and all she could do was blink her eyes sweetly.
In the silence between them they heard the door open as the nurse returned to check Finn’s vitals and administer more medicine.
“Finn, how are you feeling, sir?”
“Pretty good, thank you, ma’am.”
“M-hmm. Well, you can thank these pain killers, rush surgery and that girl right there,” the nurse said looking upon Holley.
Holley’s eyes darted about nervously as the nurse spoke again.
“If she’d left you even a few more minutes the building would have collapsed and you’d be feeling no pain, you’d be gone.”
“Is that so? I suppose I owe her my life then, don’t I?” Finn turned to Holley with sincerity.
Unused to so much attention and praise it was a great relief to Holley when the nurse finally left the room again.
“Holley, you do know that I am eternally thankful for what you’ve done for me, don’t you?” Finn asked her.
“Y-yes,” Holley squirmed uncomfortably under his weighty words. Eternity was such a strong term to use.
Finn laughed lightly, “If you want to continue leading such a fine career you’ll have to get used to such compliments.”
“I know, but its harder hearing them come from you,” she admitted.
“Why is that, my dear?”
“Because…because you’re Finn McMissile!” she exclaimed without a second thought.
“If you don’t stop treating me like an immortal piece of royalty then I may just have to go back to calling you ‘Miss Shiftwell’,” Finn said with distaste at her response.
“No, no!” Holley protested quickly, “but I do have some news for you from Radiator Springs.”
“Please, do tell.”
“Next month when you’re all healed and the case with Duncan is cleaned up, they’ve invited us to spend Christmas there. What do you say?” she asked.
“Well, what do you think?” Finn retorted politely.
“I think it would be nice. But if you don’t want to go-,” she began.
“Holley! Shame! Do you know why I kissed you?” he cut in forcefully. Seeing that she was thrown by the question he answered for her, “I did it because you were finally thinking for yourself. You weren’t seeking my approval; you were going to do it the way you pleased! And I admire what you’ve done for me because you made those decisions yourself. Some girls make attractive liars, but you don’t. Now tell me the truth, do you want to go?”
She was temporarily stunned by his words but she finally answered defiantly, “I would love to go, but if you don’t come then I won’t go. I’d like to spend my Christmas with you.”
Finn grinned, “As would I with you, I guess it’s a date.”
Yay! Finn is [i]not[/i] dead! I think this is a bit of an obscure chapter but that's just how it goes. :stuck_out_tongue: Guess I should have also warned you that the next chapter is the last! :sunglasses: Thoughts???? :slight_smile:Nice chapter! I was glad to see that Finn wasn’t dead. It stinks that the next chapter will be the last but this was one of my favorite works from you.