Thanks so much to those who reviewed! I was thrilled by the positive responses I got, especially the part about me doing good on the character personalities. I was a bit worried to work with these too so I'm glad they sound believable. So, here is chapter two!
Chapter Two
"Observations"
Holley didn't stop to think, she sprang into action. 'Look before you leap' Finn always told her, for that seemed to be her greatest fault. He was right, but that didn't stop her from bolting down the hall and knocking on his door at nearly midnight.
Finn had not yet retired to bed and opened the door quickly to be met with his panting partner.
"Miss Shiftwell? What are you doing here at such a late hour?" he puzzled.
"It's important, Finn. Please, may I?"
"Oh, yes, come in!" Finn reversed to allow her into the room and waited until the door clicked shut to speak. "What is it?"
"Do you remember Sally?" Holley asked?
He thought a moment, "Miss Carrera? Yes, I do, I never forget a face."
"Well, she called me a short while ago. Something strange is going on in Radiator Springs. She said a group of suspicious Audis showed up last week. They're a bit worried that these cars are out for Mater. So, I told her that we'd swing by and check it out. I think we should leave right now, there isn't time to waste," Holley explained in a rush.
"Now, Miss Shiftwell, hold it right there. I understand that Sir Mater is a good friend of yours but that doesn't mean we can just take off like that," his voice was gentle but his words stood firm.
"Finn! That's just it; we have to make exceptions for friends! I know you don't believe in friendship as a spy, but we just have to go!" Holley pleaded boldly against the elder car.
"I never said friendship was impossible…simply dangerous." But as he said it he thought about one of his best friends; Leland Turbo. Oh, what he would have given to have been there to defend his now deceased friend! He could still remember in excruciating detail the red cube which had once been a living car.
He looked into Holley's eyes, jade tinted in the fluorescent lightning and begging for his approval. He didn't like to get caught up in emotions, but the feeling she was radiating broke him down.
"Alright then, we'll leave immediately."
"Oh, thank you, Finn! Come, let's go then," Holley said turning swiftly towards the door.
"Miss Shiftwell! Where are you going?" Finn demanded causing her to halt with confusion.
"I thought-?"
"No, we can't take the door. They've got cameras out there you know, and seeing us sneak out this late will raise attention."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm a wanted car, Miss Shiftwell. Ever since Leland was killed that put me next on the chopping block," he said in a way that made it sound much less serious of a fact than it really was. As if driving around with an invisible target on your back happened to everyone.
"Finn…surely you can't mean that," Holley said in denial, though she knew Finn was never one to tell her anything but the truth.
"Don't act like you've been oblivious to the notion. I most certainly mean it! It's not that I didn't see it coming either; in fact, I should be honoured to have the title. I suppose that means I'm mighty good at my job now doesn't it? No matter though, it just makes for more precautions."
Holley was quiet for a second while Finn's words settled with her. She'd never taken the time to really think about the constant potential danger Finn was in. He was one of, if not the top British agent that C.H.R.O.M.E. had. It had never crossed her mind that Finn McMissile was anything less than invincible.
"How do you propose we exit then?" Holley finally questioned him. She wasn't going to wait until morning, so he'd better have an alternate plan.
"By golly, I thought you were more imaginative than that. We'll take the back balcony."
Holley fluttered her eyes with embarrassment, "Oh…yes."
Finn flicked on his headlights and turned out the room's lights as Holley did the same. Once the room was dark he opened the sliding doors that led onto the balcony, allowing a cold draft to enter the room. Holley shivered while she waited for Finn to connect his grapple hook to the open balcony's edge.
"Now, get on my back," he ordered when it was secured tightly.
Holley's heart skipped a beat as she stuttered, "W-what?"
"I assure you, Miss Shiftwell, I can carry your weight."
"N-no," she stammered again, "I can just fly down."
"Nonsense! It isn't that far and somebody would hear you," Finn said matter-of-factly.
Holley gulped with nervousness and fought to keep the rising excitement and tension at bay. She hadn't made physical contact with him except for the odd brush through the crowded streets of London. The thought of being so close to him made her anxious but also thrilled.
Finn laughed lightly and Holley's heart stopped for a minute, "I thought you wanted to leave? Don't hesitate anymore will you?"
Holley bobbed her head vigorously and slowly heaved herself onto her partner's back, praying that her tires weren't shaking. She waited to hear the older car moan from the pressure of her weight, but when he didn't she gently sank down on her tires to rest more comfortably. Finn inched carefully to the edge of the platform and rolled off it to begin their descent. Holley looked up to watch the thick wire extend as they lowered further down the building. Her heart pounded so loudly she feared Finn would feel it through her undercarriage.
As soon as Finn's tires hit the ground she climbed off in a hurry. Finn retracted the grapple and turned to face his flustered partner. This wasn't the first time Holley had acted out of character around him in the past few months. It seemed to be happening more and more often, and a sneaking feeling was overcoming him. Could it be that she was attracted to him like he suspected? No, he wouldn't dare think about that, despite wanting to.
"Everything OK, Miss-?" he started to prod.
"I wish you would stop asking me that! I am quite fine, thank you," Holley said sharply.
"Well, if you say so. It's just, for a moment I would think you looked almost…embarrassed."
"Now what on Earth would I be embarrassed about?" she said hotly in attempt to cover her rising fear of having her secret revealed.
"Precisely what I would like to know…" Finn replied coolly ignoring the tension of her voice.
Holley frowned, "Oh, enough of this! I wouldn't think you a car to dawdle on such silly things."
Finn smiled slyly and answered in a tone that practically dripped with charm, "I am not making assumptions, my dear. I am merely being observant."
She shot and annoyed look on him and huffed. How he could mess with her mind sometimes! "Finn, please, do let us carry on before daylight breaks."
He was silent for a minute; he was observing her, no doubt. Her heart continued to thud as she wondered whether he was picking up on her inner feelings. But if he did see it, he didn't bring it up but simply said, "Very well, I'll call Siddeley."
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