Can I be any more late? 
Well, I loved this chapter! I like how we got to hear McQueen’s side and how you included Holley, Mater, and Finn too. 
^^^ Aww, sad but genius. 
^^^ Like. :3
I like how Mater knew what Lightning was going to do but just kept it quiet and let him go. 
^^^ Love. <3 Yes, McQueen! Go get your girl! Go!
Hey, you know what they say: better late than never! Especially when it comes to your lovely reviews. 
I’ve gotten a lot of response on the opening line, which is awesome because it was another one of those lines that at one point was considered for removal. I’m happy I stuck with it though! Thanks so much for pointing out the other parts you liked too! I’ll try to update soon! 
Sorry for the wait! Not enough hours in the day, I swear. And SallyMcQueen, I got your messages but if I wanted to get this chapter done then I had to not touch them for now, but I will reply as soon as I can! OK, before we start this chapter, quick reminder (if I didn’t already say it) that this story is PG 13, and things are about to get interesting. Enjoy!
CHAPTER NINE- “Andato” (Gone)
What a fool she had been, wanting unimportant things like marriage. She’d let it cloud her vision until she’d come to believe it was the only thing that could make her happy, as if she needed it. It had taken her a trip all the way to Italy to make this conclusion. How humiliating it would be to tell McQueen what a mistake she’d made. And if he couldn’t find room in his heart to take her back with a kiss then she’d lower herself to begging his forgiveness. And Sally Carrera never begged.
She did everything with independence, she didn’t rely on anyone. She had even convinced herself that she had made the conscious decision to fall in love with Lightning. But maybe she was wrong. Maybe she was getting old enough to want someone to always be there with her, maybe she’d never had control over her feelings to begin with.
She’d screwed all that up though. She’d tried to force them onto a new track, when she should have let their relationship be free. She didn’t need a title; she just needed to know she could have him forever. That was all she had to tell him, and she’d get that chance as soon as her flight came down.
Sally had given in after only two and a half days. She didn’t give Francesco reasoning, merely told him that she had to go home immediately and nothing would stop her. He had offered to escort her to the airport, but she turned it down. She didn’t care about spending even another second with him. There was only one place she wanted to be, a place where she belonged. She wouldn’t waste time on anything that didn’t involve getting her back there in the fastest way possible.
It was mid-evening when she arrived back in Radiator Springs. She’d lost track of the date and the jet lag was really beginning to play on her body. However, she pressed onwards, the idea of resting now was utterly inconceivable.
She took a detour route from the town, one that led her more discreetly to their home on the fringe of the main street. The house was strangely dark and muffled noise came from the interior. She couldn’t quite make out the steady sound until she entered the home.
Almost instantly, she was met with hammering music from the stereo system. It wasn’t until she heard the CD scream out “Fever! Fever!” that she recognized the song. Not exactly the tune she had expected to hear upon her return.
Her body suddenly tensed as she picked up movement in the next room.
A shrill voice giggled, “Are you always this good after a race?”
Sally’s heart stopped at the question. It was obvious what was going on inside that shady room.
As a matter of fact, yes, Lightning was that good. Her mind spun with lust as she remembered how he had her all figured out, how he would drive her insane with temptation to lure him into the bedroom. He’d run her engine hot until she couldn’t breathe without saying his name.
The memory melted from her brain as she realized what was going on. He was giving all that passion to another girl. And by the unmistakable, flirtatious laugh, that ‘girl’ was a tiny Miata about five years younger than him.
Her tires turned weak as the giggle resounded again in a giddy tone. She felt like she had a fever, but not one from rampant sexual hormones. She felt like losing the very little fuel she had in her tank.
Sally slowly back out of the house and gasped for air. Her eyes looked around dizzily as she willed herself to think that this wasn’t happening. Lightning couldn’t have moved on so swiftly, he couldn’t just throw her away like that.
I never said it was over! We’re still dating, he still loves me… her heart wailed inside. Then why is he fooling around with Mia? He played you like a card! Her mind fought back stronger.
She moved to go inside again, but paused shortly. He didn’t want her anymore. He had cheated on her. He’d let another female into their home.
She blocked anymore images of him touching Mia and pivoted away from the house. All she could do was flee to the Cozy Cone where she could crash for the night. She numbed herself, pretended that what she had flown halfway across the Earth looking for wasn’t really gone.
Can I get a D-R-A-M-A? :wink: Hahaha, bet you didn't see THAT one coming! Well, maybe you did, but I hope not! :stuck_out_tongue: Oh, and the song reference was to "Fever" by Adam Lambert. If you've ever heard it (or many of the likes from him) then you will understand why it would be the type of song playing. <img src="//pixarplanet-forums.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/4/4d009dd141f26b0a611a818d8d3d4fc9f50168cf.gif" width="15" height="15" alt="8D" title="Chuckle"/> Thanks so much for reading and please comment!! Thanks to all my readers who voted me best fan fiction writer and "Family Tidings" as best fan fic of 2011! Means a lot to me! <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"/>Very nice! I can’t wait to see what happens next. Also, I loved “Family Tidings” and thought that it was the right choice to win.
Awesome chapter! The plot is so interesting at the moment, I can’t wait to see the events that follow.
Oh, pish posh. You know it’s all good. I didn’t answer you for days at one point.
^^^ Like.
^^^ Like. (That’s my suggestive like. )
^^^ Like.
^^^ Like. (This is going to get to the point where I won’t even say “Like”. I’ll just quote it and you’ll know. 
)
I really loved this chapter. I think it’s one of my favorites. The plot just got 100x more interesting. Not that it wasn’t interesting before! You know… I hate and love how Sally and Lightning just missed each other like that! Whenever that happens in movies and what not, it’s like a nails on a chalkboard feeling to me. Well, since we know it’s obviously not Lightning with Mia, I wonder who it is… and why they’re in Lightning and Sally’s house? 
Plus, what happens when Lightning shows up in Italy to find Sally gone?
Ballboi: Awesome! Thanks!
pixarmilan: Thank you! I’ll try to get the next chapter out tomorrow or Thursday, I won’t make you wait too long.
SallyMcQueen: “My suggestive like” = And yes!!! You may totally do that, and then just write “like” under the collection of them. I’m glad this chapter generated some excitement, I personally really like this one too. You ask all the right questions as well, and they shall all be answered one by one.
This one is a shorter chapter but the next will be longer. Destiny persuaded me to get it out for you guys asap. So, we jump back to McQueen for this one, who was last mentioned about to board a plane to Italy. And just to be clear, Milan is a city in Italy which I’m presuming is Francesco’s hometown. That’s all you need to know, read on!
CHAPTER TEN – “Aspettare” (Wait)
“Exit… exit,” McQueen muttered under his breath as he moved briskly through the swarms of cars. The Malpensa airport was Milan’s largest, and was completely crammed with passenger overflow. His eyes scanned the hectic scene for any signs, and for once in his life, he wished he was bilingual. Francesco might have that on him, but he wouldn’t have his girl.
After fighting through the mob of tourists, he finally found a sign translated into English. Escaping from the airport, he was met with hot afternoon sun. He gazed around at the monstrous buildings and suddenly realized he had no idea where he was going. He’d made the choice to come here on the turn of a dime, with only one thing in mind- finding Sally.
But now he was lost. He didn’t have the slightest idea where to begin. How did you go about tracking someone down in a foreign country?
Holley! He thought, She’ll know what to do!
And then he remembered; Holley had no idea what was going on. He’d be forced to tell her everything that had transpired between him and Sally.
What option did he have? If it meant finding Sally then he’d just have to own up to his mistakes and do it.
He cut across the road towards a restaurant. There had to be a phone booth around somewhere.
McQueen swerved around the corner and found not a telephone booth, but Francesco Bernoulli.
Francesco’s eyes met him with alarm and disbelief. “Lightning!” he sputtered, “What are you-a doing here?”
McQueen’s tires gripped the pavement. He was about ready to show Francesco a thing or two. He’d been known to serve detention in high school for losing his temper then and again. Only he was a grown adult now, and he’d probably wind up with jail time instead of a harmless detention.
He restrained from physical violence by firmly enforcing the reason he was here. Besides, it wouldn’t be fair to beat Francesco up on his home turf of all places.
“Where’s Sally?” he demanded brashly.
Francesco’s eyes darted. “She is-a not here, my-a friend.”
“That’s not what I asked you,” he continued snarky, “I asked you where she is.”
“Home. She-a went home.”
He heaved a small sigh. There was still a slight streak of doubt in him though. “If you’re lying to me-,” he started to threaten.
“No!” Francesco exclaimed frantically, “She-a went back, for you-a…”
He smirked smugly. That’s because she was never yours to bring here in the first place, he felt like shouting at his rival. This guy had nearly torn his relationship to shreds. Granted, there were some holes in it, but it was still never Francesco’s right to intervene.
It wasn’t worth starting a scene over though. He was more than certain that Sally wouldn’t appreciate him landing at the top of the tabloids for something as stupid as a fight. Not to mention Harv; ‘tarnishing his name’ his agent would say. Although he happened to listen to Sally a hell of a lot more than his money grubbing agent.
It was late afternoon, the on-set of evening, and Sally sat motionless behind the Cozy Cone desk. She’d stayed tied to the office all day, waiting for Lightning to make an appearance.
She gritted her teeth as she watched Mia be dismissed from her shift at Flo’s and drive off away from town. She couldn’t see a single thing that girl possessed that she herself didn’t. And she had only just recently begun to be comfortable around the ex-groupie, what wasted trust that was.
Then she thought of how stupid she had been. How long had this sickening act been going on? Did they do it when she was out at work? Did that filthy girl touch her bed? It didn’t matter, that promiscuous girl had gotten past personal with her boyfriend.
She’d save her wrath though. There was no sense in taking it out on ‘the other lover’. She’d bottle it up and keep it, until the devil himself cruised in.
Then she heard a powerful engine outside. She knew the wait was up.
Cliff-hangah! <img src="//pixarplanet-forums.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/4/4d009dd141f26b0a611a818d8d3d4fc9f50168cf.gif" width="15" height="15" alt="8D" title="Chuckle"/> Thanks for reading everyone, all comments are appreciated! :smiley:Great chapter! I liked the way you made McQueen hold back his temper and I can see him being sent to detention for a temper. The way you ended the chapter was great too!
You and your cliff-hangers… I like how Lightning ran into Francesco and agree with what pixarmilan said about Lightning’s temper. Ohmygosh, I can’t wait to read the next chapter and see what happens!!! <3 I know it’ll be worth the wait.
Thank you! I’m going to try and update my other story on the weekend and then maybe Tuesday for this one. I hope you’ll think it was worth the wait too!
I can’t wait.
Thank you so much for write! I can’t wait to read more
Yeah! The excitement is great! Another short one here, so I tried to keep the wait short as well. Oh! Plus I learned an awesome new word- “supplicating”. It means ‘begging’ if you guys didn’t know, but you are all so smart you probably did already. I just had to use it. And a reminder, PG 13 here people! With that said, read on.
CHAPTER ELEVEN – “Segreti” (Secrets)
“Sally!” Lightning cried out her name as he entered the lobby.
She didn’t answer him, just stared at the cluster of things on her desk. Everything was boiling beneath her cool exterior, supplicating to erupt.
“When did you get back? I just found out you were here!” he exclaimed breathlessly.
“Several hours ago,” she said flatly, then she added bitterly, “But I know you were too busy to notice.”
“No! I was-.”
She butted in, “I know where you were.”
The smile on his face weakened from her strange behavior. He moved in to kiss her.
She backed away as far as she could and snapped, “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“What are you doing?” he retorted, “I thought you came back so we could work things out? You never said we were done…”
“Yeah, well, we can work it out right now- I’m through with you. There, now we’re done,” she snipped with rising anger.
He reversed in shock, slamming his bumper off the wall. “Just like that?” he squeaked. “Just like that?!” he repeated in a firmer tone. “You just give in and give up? Like… like I mean nothing to you? I thought-.”
“You thought what? That I was stupid and naïve? That I would never find out about all the shit you’ve been doing behind my back?” she yelled furiously.
He grimaced at her nonsensical attacks but grew defensive immediately. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“How long?” she shot back demandingly.
“How long what?” he asked in bafflement of her explosive mood.
“How long have you been seeing that prostitute excuse of a car? Because it sure didn’t take you long to hop onto her once I was gone. Or did she hop onto you? You know what? I don’t even want to know!” she spat pretentiously.
Lightning’s eyes widened unnaturally and he lurched forward. “Are you out of your mind? I’ve never cheated on you! Maybe you should take a look in the mirror and see who you should be calling out!” he shouted uncontrollably.
There was a pause of intense silence. He knew he’d knocked her ego, and hard too. He had to have hurt more than that though, because for the first time in his life he had won a fight to Sally Carrera.
“I know I messed up,” she said tensely, “but I don’t sugar coat it with lies. And not once was I unfaithful.” The anger seeped out of her voice and fell softly, “All I ever wanted was to write you into my future… into my happily ever after.” She was quiet momentarily, and then continued, “I know your secret, and now you know mine.”
He was completely speechless. Marriage. That was all she had ever needed from him? She just wanted to know that she would be safe and sound with him for the rest of her days. And yet, how had it led to this?
She rolled forward to where he was blocking her path. He tried to speak but her voice rose above, “Get out of my way.”
“Sally, I-.”
“I said, get out of my way.” She shoved past him with a tremendous, unexpected force.
She slipped out the doorway and took off down the street before there was time for tears to fall.
Lightning rushed outside the lobby and watched her go. He knew he should follow her, but he couldn’t; she wasn’t his anymore. Maybe she hadn’t been for a while… maybe he was only just realizing it now.
And just like he’d predicted, he was left wondering how their relationship had really came to an official end. Though he might have known her secret now, there were so many things she didn’t know about him. The first one being that she had just written the tragic ending to his story too.
THE END. Just joking! That would be so cruel of me to do. <img src="//pixarplanet-forums.s3.dualstack.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/original/2X/4/4d009dd141f26b0a611a818d8d3d4fc9f50168cf.gif" width="15" height="15" alt="8D" title="Chuckle"/> I couldn't really work the final line out exactly how I wanted but eh, hopefully the point came across and the other parts felt powerful. Gosh, sometimes I think I am such an inappropriate person for using swear words and innuendo, but let's be real here; would you not be mad if you believed your partner was cheating on you? So, if any mods are reading this, please don't get me in trouble. :laughing: I've written more edgy stuff than this, so please keep that in mind. :sunglasses: Hahaha, OK, enough notes, please tell me what you thought!OMG This is getting even more interesting I want more!!! thanks for update, please update as soon as you can
Wonderful chapter! I really enjoyed it. I think you expressed Sally’s anger very well, and just wrote a great chapter. I’m so excited to see what occurs next.
Of course my favorite chapter would be the one with innuendo, swear words, and the most drama. 
I read this chapter over like five times 'cause I just loved it that much. <3
I think the argument was just perfect. I can’t even quote because I would just quote the whole thing. Sally and Lightning’s emotions were portrayed awesomely and they were still very much in-character (which is very hard to do with situations like that.) Heh, I lied. I can quote these three things that just stood out to me.
^^^ Okay, how come every time you don’t really like something about your chapter, I just fall in love with it? It’s a pretty nice set up, though.
[size=60]You got me at the end for a second.[/size] 
Destiny: Thanks! I will try my best to keep updating as fast as I can!
SallyMcQueen: I thought this chapter was your style. I’m really pleased that the fight came off as believable and in-character. I’ve read lots of SalQueen stories and that is something I am always very aware of when it comes to verbal fighting scenes, so I’m very happy I met the challenge. LOL I’m really not sure, maybe it is because I’m a harder critic on myself than you? You should see my notebook! And I got you for a short second?! Mission complete.
pixarmilan: Whoops! I missed seeing your post in there! Thanks very much, like I mentioned above, it is great to hear that the emotions transfered well with the reader. Love to hear that you’re feeling the suspense too!
Alright, time to update again! This is one of my favourite chapters, or at least the first two portions of it. I hope you will like!
CHAPTER TWELVE – “Ricordare” (Remember)
Sally drove harder and faster than she ever had. She was out of Radiator Springs within seconds, racing endlessly towards where twilight met desert sand. Her breath barely came to her lips, but she wouldn’t stop until the hot sensation left her eyes.
Inside of her, she secretly wished to hear Lightning’s engine behind her. Chills coursed her body knowing that he wouldn’t come for her, no matter how far she drove. Every part of her screamed with aching pain as she tore onwards to the highway.
Cars cursed and yelled as she sped past them thoughtlessly. She had no sensibility now, just a numb feeling that made her seem invincible. She’d destroyed the most important thing in her life and escaped it alive. It took a super being to do that.
She could sense her engine faltering and her tires weakening. She hadn’t a clue where she was, the background had become all shades of grey in her surge of adrenaline.
Morning light streamed through the yellowed set of blinds and woke Sally with its strength. She groaned as she rose stiffly and gazed around the room.
The entire place was musty and painted a pastel orange colour. She’d fallen asleep on a stained brown carpet, its edges strewn with dead bugs along the baseboard. To her side were a cube-shaped television and a grimy bathroom she didn’t dare enter.
Sally slowly moved to the door and slipped outside. She sat in silence, watching the nearby highway traffic. The whole world was in front of her, yet it had nothing to offer her. Where had everything gone?
She thought of the empty years. All the time she’d spent loving someone who never saw a tomorrow in her. Had he ever loved her? Was there a point somewhere along the lines when he had shared her feelings?
What importance was it though? He was no longer a part of her everyday life now. She’d let him get close enough to inflict this pain, she could never forgive him for stealing this much of her.
She studied the landscape more and wondered what was left for her. No one needed her, and worse, she could never have the car she needed.
When she returned to town, she felt like a stranger. Not a car spoke to her, and her heart constricted upon the sight of Lightning entering the main street. She dodged into the lobby and began running reports for the day.
Her eyes crept upwards to Flo’s V8 outside her window. They lingered as she witnessed Lightning parking beside an unoccupied pump. Mater and Holley then appeared to join in.
She stared longingly as Flo served them each some fuel and gave morning greetings. Sally continued observing the trio, wishing she could make herself present with the group. She hadn’t spoken with Holley in ages, Mater either. Oh, who was she kidding? She wanted to be around them all, including Lightning.
Suddenly his eyes were on her from across the street. Despite the distance, it was apparent that he was looking at her. His blue irises seemed so inviting, practically beckoning her to fall woe at his tires. They exuded comfort and nearly broke her down to sobbing. There was always something about his eyes that made her open up the tender areas of her heart.
They left the café after a good forty-five minutes. Sally sought her opportunity and dashed over to refill her tank. Maybe Flo would have something to help with her still aching body.
Flo served her usual with a less than talkative attitude.
“Thank you, Flo,” Sally tried to smile, “Do you have any painkillers? Some Gasprin? Anything?”
Flo pursed her lips in displeasure. “You know, that ain’t gonna take away your heartache, honey.”
“What? I- No, it’s-,” she stammered with humiliation. So, the whole town knew already…
The show car gave her a sorrowful look of pity and advised her prudently, “That boy followed you to Italy, remember that.”
Sally didn't know that Lightning had followed her, just in case anyone forgot. :laughing: Well, to be honest here, I don't know where the story is going from here. I originally had a plan but I tweaked the last chapter before posting it so it kind of threw wall in front of where I was originally heading. It kind of worries me that I completely tore them apart and now the problems have started. :laughing: But don't worry, I do have many ideas in mind, I just need to work out the kinks and the story will definitely continue as planned. I have at least two more scenes/chapters that I do not plan on cutting but do need some major revising due to the changes. OK, I won't burden you anymore, please tell me what you thought and any other comments you may have!! :slight_smile:I really enjoyed this chapter! I liked the way you showed everything change for here, and I think you slipped in her finding out that he went to Italy looking for her very nicely.
I’ll read the next chapters whenever you put them up.