Chapter 1: A simple break in Radiator Springs!

Authors note: Well ever since I first watched Cars 2, I kinda shipped Holley and Finn together. I just don't see Holley and Mater as a proper couple and I am sure many of you agree with me! Well this story is based around Holley's relationship with Finn and also her family! Enjoy!

Flying about the world was Holley Shiftwell's job. She and her colleague Finn McMissile went about different places locating and stopping all the bad guys along with many other things. They investigated all kinds of investigations, from robberies, to murders, to even the most extreme cases like gangs and scams like the Allinol scam before that started her official career off as a C.H.R.O.M.E agent. But nothing satisfied her more than to be at her partner's side kicking some cars bumpers! She had grown a very close bond with Finn, and she could confide in him for just about everything! Well almost anyway.

Holley had become attached to Finn. So much so, that she was begging to care for him. More than any agent would for their colleague. She knew that nothing could come of her and Mater. They were too different! Holley had given the tow truck a chance for a first date, but that didn't go so well. But when Holley came back to Siddeley that painful night after her disaster of a date with Mater, Finn had been there to comfort her. That was when Holley began to think of her associate in a different way.

She didn't know how to describe her emotions. She was no teenager with a mad crush for someone! Even though she had once been like that, well so did everyone at some stage. But her feelings felt completely new to her. Finn was a very nice and respectable gentleman who cared for those who were close to him, Holley as one example. But he probably had no idea what love was about. And Holley had a gut feeling she was about to find out. But Finn was older than her! How could she fancy her colleague? It was beyond her! But as she spent more and more time with him, the more and more she cared for him. But she knew deep down there could never be any sort of romantic relationship between them. And of course Finn had always told her that friendships were a dangerous thing to have in their line of work, but what about love? That was an even worse thing to have!

Recently they had cases filled up to the size of their fuel tanks. They had drained poor Siddeley to the limits as they were going around the world to different locations pretty much everyday! They were extremely dedicated to their job! But even the most dedicated secret agent needed a break right? Even the likes of Finn McMissile and Holley Shiftwell…

"So Miss Shiftwell which country needs our help next?" Finn McMissile asked his associate who checked her files to see if any new cases had aroused from the last time she had checked.

"Uh… I am actually surprised Finn. We have no more investigations to undertake. The files are completely empty!" Holley explained trying to hide the joy of it all in her voice. But a loud sigh could be heard throughout the room and it came from outside.

"I never thought I would say this but… that's a relief!" Siddeley exclaimed happily which made both Finn and Holley smile.

"So what are we going to do now Sir?" Holley asked secretly hoping that he would say the magic word beginning with V and ended with ACTION.

"Well I guess we have no choice but to take a small vacation until a new case pops up," Finn smiled that charming smile at Holley which made her begin to grin like a maniac.

"Finn… can I make a suggestion as to where we spend this vacation?" Holley said slowly hinting something Finn knew only too well.

"You mean you would like to visit Radiator Springs again don't you?" Finn replied smirking at a stunned Holley.

"You Finn McMissile are a mind reader! How did you know I was going to say that?" Holley inquired still a little stunned at Finn's knowledge of where she wanted to visit.

"I know you too well Miss Shiftwell! I know of your love for that town and the cars who live there… especially one particular tow truck," Finn's voice became a bit sly and slower as he examined Holley's face. She wasn't exactly cheerful at this point. Finn still had the impression she and Mater were going out, when really her attentions weren't on Mater, but on someone else….

"Well I wouldn't say love Finn, I mean me and Mater are really close friends! Nothing more!" Holley replied sounding a little defensive.

"Well the last time I checked, you and Mater were going out on a date… I don't call that a close friendship! I call that a romantic involvement!" Finn explained not even knowing what he was letting himself in for.

"And since when were you the judge of love Finn?" Holley asked with a hint of what Finn would call anguish in her voice.

"Who said I didn't know when a relationship is being undertaken?" Finn asked softly trying to avoid an argument at all costs.

"Finn, you're not the romantic sort! I don't need you to judge mine and Mater's relationship! And besides you would waste your time! Because there is no romantic involvement between us!" Holley explained trying to divert off of the subject. But Finn continued on with the matter!

"I am only saying what I think Holley. You always value my opinion… I mean Mater is a good fellow! You two are perfect for each other!" Finn said and with this Holley actually snapped at her colleague for the first time in history. This surprised Finn quite a lot!

"Why does everyone think that? I mean it was one date! That's all! Me and Mater aren't perfect for each other in any way shape or form! We are the exact opposites! I know he is a good fellow and all that Finn but you know what happened after the first date we had!" Holley then turned away and went over to her computer. Finn was still getting over the fact Holley was acting this way. But the question was why? Silence fell in the room for several moments before Finn decided to contact Siddeley who continued to fly in a certain direction.

"Siddeley?"

"Yes boss?"

"Could you drop us off at Radiator Springs? There are some friends we would like to see again!" Finn then turned to glance at Holley who was still ignoring his gaze.

What was wrong with her recently? She seemed more distracted… more unlike Holley! Finn had no idea why she was acting like this, but he wanted to know. He did after all look upon her as a close friend. Although he was unaware she looked upon him as more than a friend.

…

"Miss Holley! Finn! It's great to see y'all again!" a very excited tow truck made his way over to Siddeley who had just landed just outside Radiator Springs.

"It's nice to see you too Mater! So how are you?" Holley asked as she drove off of Siddeley, Finn close behind.

"Oh I'm fine! I have just been up to the usual things. You know, towing a few cars and tractor tippin' with my best bud Lightnin'! You know how it gets!" Mater exclaimed even though Holley had no idea what he was going on about. What in the name of England was tractor tipping?

"Oh that's nice…" Finn replied acting as if he knew what Mater was on about, but like Holley he had no clue.

"So what you guy's doin' here?" Mater asked.

"Oh we have a short break Mater. So we decided to come and visit you for a few days!" Finn explained noticing Mater was beginning to get extremely eager and excited upon their arrival.

"Oh Great! That means me and Miss Holley here can have another date!" Mater grinned not even noticing Holley's reaction to this. But Finn noticed it instantly, she didn't look happy even though she smiled for Mater's sake. On second thoughts she looked very sad, her eyes gave it away. Finn noticed her eyes look at the ground as if she were about to cry. This was extremely odd for her. Finn had now made it official, he was going to have a word with her later! But currently he decided to change the subject for Holley's sake. It was obvious she wasn't too keen on going on a date with Mater. And after the fiasco on the last one, it didn't actually surprise Finn that she was acting a little off. But this Holley was completely off! Something was definitely on her mind! And Finn McMissile was determined to find out what that was.

"Well look Mater, me and Holley would like to see the others before you go off into the wilderness. So if you don't mind could you take us to the rest of the town's folk?" Finn asked politely and Mater smiled again. Holley glanced gratefully at Finn and gave him a small smile before following Mater into Radiator Springs.

"Yeah sure! I'll tell you what! Me and Miss Holley here can go tractor tippin' later! Unless you would like to join us Finn?" Mater replied getting a strange glance from Holley.

"What's tractor tipping Mater?" Holley asked as Mater turned around and began to drive backwards.

"Well it's when we sneak into a field and blow our horns loud and then the tractors fall back and let rip if you know what I mean! It's funny right there! Me and McQueen do it all the time! Wanna join us Finn?" Mater then turned to Finn who glanced at Holley as she grimaced a little. Finn didn't like the sound of it, and he thought it would be a good idea to let Holley and Mater patch things up after the last time they were together. And besides, Finn had had enough of going around chasing the bad guys, a relaxing break was all he needed right now!

"Eh, no thanks old chap! I think I'm going to go get some fuel from Flo's. I will see you two later!" Finn smiled at Holley before driving away in the opposite direction leaving Mater alone with Holley.

"Alright see ya later Finn!" Mater waved his tyre before turning to Holley. "Well I guess we got some time alone now! What you wanna do Holley? Go out for a dinner or somethin'?" Mater asked and Holley quickly replied. The last thing she wanted to do was have another awkward dinner with Mater again. She would rather go tractor tipping! And that was what she was about to choose.

"Why don't we do that tractor tipping Mater?" Holley smiled as she noticed Mater's features lighten up.

"You mean it? Shoot, this will be better than I imagined! The only person I ever took tractor tippin' was McQueen, but he's been busy lately with Sally and all that. It will be nice to do it with someone different!" Mater seemed happy to be with Holley and Holley just hoped that today wouldn't end up like the last time they went out together.

"Yes, I believe it will…" Holley said slyly as she and Mater headed out to go tractor tipping.

…

"Well I'll tell you what; you seemed scared when Frank came along! I mean you was worse than McQueen when he first drove into him!" Mater chuckled as he and a petrified Holley made their way back into Radiator Springs later in the evening.

"Well can you blame me? He was huge! Never again will I call a combine harvester a piece of cake!" Holley gasped still getting over the shock of what just happened back there.

"He almost got you too! You should've seen your face before you reached that fence! You looked worse than my cousin when he found his engine was faulty! Tell you what; this will be funny to tell Finn when we get you back to Sid!" Mater laughed and Holley felt her eyes widen. She had completely forgotten about Finn! Gosh this would be awkward when Mater would tell him about their incident with a combine harvester!

"Yeah, I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know about this Mater!" Holley said a little sarcastically. Suddenly Mater immediately changed the subject to a more delicate one.

"Look Miss Holley, I know that our first date didn't go quite accordin' to plan with the food setting on fire and the weird conversations we all had and what not, but I just want to say… this doesn't change anything right?" Mater asked as he and Holley stopped in their tracks and turned to face one another. Holley then looked into the distance where the sun was setting and gulped. It was time she told Mater the truth, and neither she nor Mater would really like to hear it.

"Listen Mater… ever since that night I have been thinking things over and I have now come to the conclusion that we cannot be together! I mean you're an amazing friend Mater and I would like to keep our friendship as it is, but in a proper relationship, well it just doesn't work out! We don't have anything in common and you've got to admit we barely see each other! I am sorry to have to tell you this Mater but I just don't want to be in a relationship with you!" Holley said sounding very sympathetic towards Mater whose smile had dropped and now looked like a very disappointing frown.

"Oh… I see. It's alright Miss Holley! I understan' an' I don't mind! Perhaps it's for the best after all! Cause I'm just a tow truck and you're a pretty secret agent! I hope this doesn't affect our friendship? Does it?" Mater replied, sadness evident in his voice. Holley felt extremely guilty right now, but like Mater said, it was for the best.

"Of course it doesn't Mater! We can still be good friends! I am not ending our friendship! I just want to make sure that you don't think of me as your girlfriend anymore." Holley explained noticing Mater's features brighten up a tiny bit. But he was still sad. And so was Holley.

"Oh… ok then… well I guess goodnight Miss Holley!" Mater replied before turning around and driving away. Holley was now left alone just outside of the town and she felt extremely sad and guilty. What was Finn going to say? Oh Holley wasn't in the mood for answering his questions today!

As Holley approached Siddeley she felt tears form in her eyes. She tried to get rid of them but they wouldn't leave her be! As the door opened to let Holley inside, she noticed Finn was there waiting for her. He was smiling but his expression soon turned to concern as he noticed Holley's face was filled with sadness. Her time with Mater was not as good as he expected it to be! He regretted leaving them together now.

"Miss Shiftwell, are you ok?" Finn asked driving towards her. Holley continued to act as if nothing was wrong, but it was obvious she was upset no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

"I'm fine Finn!" Holley replied quickly as the entrance closed behind her. He rolled his eyes slightly and continued to press the matter further, much to Holley's displeasure.

"Holley Shiftwell! Do you really think I am that blind? It is obvious something is wrong with you! You have been acting strangely for the past couple of days! Ever since our last mission you have been showing your emotions for all to see! Now tell me what ever the matter is?" Finn asked softly trying to make her feel as if she could tell her anything. But Holley was a stubborn car at times. And she would often show her stubbornness to her partner. But never like this!

"I don't expect you to understand!" Holley said not even looking at Finn. She had fixed her gaze at the wall and refused to even pass a glance at Finn. This made him feel a little hurt; she was shutting herself out from him! That was something the real Holley Shiftwell would never do!

"And what is that meant to mean? Come on Holley, you always confide in me! No matter what the problem I can offer you some advice!" Finn exclaimed determined to find out what she was being so stubborn about.

"Not this time!" Holley replied still looking away. Finn sighed but refused to back down now.

"It's Mater isn't it? You broke up with him didn't you?"

"How did you know that?" Holley suddenly jumped and glanced at her partner who wore a sympathetic look toward her.

"I know you too well Miss Shiftwell… but the question is why you broke up with him?" Finn's eyes began to narrow as Holley looked around the room before replying.

"That's not concern of yours Finn McMissile!" Holley snapped unexpectedly which caused Finn to back away a little. Holley was surprised at herself for acting in this way. She had never snapped like this at Finn before. He looked almost as hurt as Mater did when she told him she didn't want a relationship with him. What was she doing? She was pushing her closest friends away! And she didn't want to do that! Especially to Finn! But she couldn't tell him the real reason why she ended everything with Mater! She didn't know how he would react or anything! But Finn had always told her to be truthful! And she was… but she couldn't tell him the truth! She just couldn't!

"Well… I am sorry then, I won't inquire about you any further… goodnight Miss Shiftwell," Finn then reversed back and decided to turn the lights off. This left Holley to think in total darkness. She had a lot to think over!

But about an hour later she found herself drifting off to sleep unaware that over 4 hours later she would have an unexpected phone call from someone she hadn't spoken to in years. Someone who was in dire need and someone she was extremely close to.

…

At about 4 o clock in the morning Holley was sleeping peacefully forgetting everything that had happened the day before. But those sweet dreams were cut short when she was awoken by a sudden call on her communicator. Holley opened her eyes as the communicator began to buzz and glanced over to see if Finn was still asleep. He was, but not for much longer. Holley rolled her eyes as she drowsily pressed the button to allow the caller to come onto her screen. She hardly paid attention to whoever was on the other end of the line.

"Yes, hello?" Holley said in a rough voice trying to keep herself awake.

"Holley it's me!" a familiar voice said on the other end of the line. Holley felt her eyes begin to widen as she instantly recognised the voice…

"Mother?"

Authors note: Well how do you like the first chapter? It's not too rushed is it? I hope you like the story so far! We shall meet Holley's sister in the next chapter along with the bad guys! Please review and check out my other story called 'Plans go astray'! Anyway Merry Christmas! I shall post the next chapter soon!