A/N: A thousand apologies for the long wait. Some weird problem with my FFN account has kept me from posting this new chapter for nearly three weeks. But the good news is, I'm back with a brand new chapter! And more good news (though some of you already know this) — I am making illustrations for this story. There will now be one picture for each chapter! So far I've got the first seven chapter illustrations done. Please see my profile for the link to these and the rest of my Cars fanart. And please leave comments!

Hope you all enjoy this latest chapter. Please R&R!

CHAPTER TEN:
DATE 'ER, MATER

The breakfast crowd at Flo's had grown quickly. Everyone in town was there now. When Luigi and Guido arrived, they wasted no time in pestering Vee.

"That-a spare tire, she ees most unflattering on such a ravishing young Chrysler!" Luigi purred, as Guido slipped a fork under said tire and lifted it up for a closer inspection. "She ees - how do I say politely - tacky, and she ees-a slowing you down, no?" Guido jiggled the spare for emphasis. Vee pulled it away.

"Well yeah, but — I can't drive very fast anyway," she replied. "Not til Friday, when I get new brake pads."

"Ah well, we will wait until Friday then. No problem!" Luigi said, waving a tire dismissively. "Luigi's Casa Della Tires ees-a open seven days of the week! And-a we are committed to top quality service! Guido here will change-a your tires so fast you will not know what hit you!"

As he spoke, the little forklift grasped Vee's spare and turned it back and forth eagerly. "Peet stop?"

"Maybe later," Vee replied, forcing a polite smile.

Guido grinned big. "Okay!" he chirped, then drove off after Luigi.

"Don't think you've heard the end of it," Mack told Vee. "Unless you're a Ferrari and have perfect tires, those two will just keep harassing you."

"Great," Vee mumbled. "I'll just have to tell them that I can't afford it."

"They'll just bargain with you until you agree. Besides, I'll pay for it."

Vee glanced up at Mack, shaking her hood. "Oh no, Mack. Don't start that again."

"Don't start what?"

"You know what! That whole 'I'm buying' deal. I told you before, I'm not comfortable with it."

"Well, I'm not comfortable just standing by and watching my best friend go without!" Mack replied heatedly. "I can't even pass a stranger on the road who needs help without doing something about it."

"I know," Vee sighed, giving him a weak smile. "You always were the nicest guy in school."

Mack smiled back, giving her a mock shove. "Then let me buy you a new tire, or I won't be so nice anymore!"

Vee chuckled. "All right, fine." She cast a sideways glance at his own massive tire, noticing that the retreads on it were badly frayed. "While we're at it, you should get some new retreads. Those ones look like they'll be coming off soon."

Mack lifted a tire and inspected it. "Yeah, I know. I actually need to get new tires. Retreads are illegal in this state." He lifted the other front tire and looked it over too. "Either the Sheriff hasn't noticed, or he's just ignoring them."

"Noticed what?" said a deep voice, and the two vehicles looked up to see none other than Sheriff himself, driving past. Mack dropped his tire and backed up a little, but the squad car had already seen. He glared up at the truck. "Retreads, huh? Shoulda known you'd have those, but I never thought about it til now. You know those things are illegal in this state, don't you?"

Mack blushed in shame. "Yeah, I know. I was just telling Vee here that I need to get rid of them and get some new tires."

"Well, see that you do," Sheriff replied. "I won't give you a ticket just yet, but if you're still wearing those retreads a week from today, I'll have no choice but to fine you. You got that?"

"Yes, sir," Mack nodded. Sheriff nodded back and drove off across the lot.

"Sorry about that," Vee said.

"That's all right. I really need to get new tires anyway. Retreads may be cheaper and easier, but they're a lot more dangerous." Mack sighed and finished his coffee. "Guess I'll have to drive up to Carburetor City this weekend and get 'em there."

"Why can't you do it here?" Vee asked. "Personally, I'd love to see that runty little forklift try to change a tire this big," she said, nudging Mack's tire with her own.

Mack chuckled at the thought. "Well, for one thing, they don't carry tires in my size," he answered. "And there's a special kind of lift involved. An ordinary lift won't support a big rig. Plus it's hard to find a tire shop for larger vehicles, or even a mechanic, for that matter. They're few and far between, which is why I have to go all the way up to Carburetor City to get new tires."

"How far away is it?"

"About seventy miles."

"Wow," Vee said. "I had no idea semi trucks had it so rough."

"Well, that's a pretty short trip compared to how far I'm used to going," Mack replied. "Anything under three hundred miles is a Sunday drive!" A few moments passed in silence before Mack spoke up again. "You wanna go with me?"

"Where?"

"To Carburetor City. You know, just for the heck of it." Vee looked unconvinced. "A guy gets lonely on the road, especially us truckers," he added lamely. "It would be nice to have some company for a change."

Vee smirked. "For an hour's drive?"

"It'll take more than an hour for me," Mack replied. "Semis don't have the same get-up-and-go as most other cars, especially when we're hauling."

"Gee, sucks to be a semi," Vee mumbled.

"How 'bout a little sympathy, then?" Mack replied, pouting.

"Oh, all right," Vee sighed. "I'll go with you." She finished her coffee and pushed the mug away, just as Tia rolled up and offered another refill.

"No, thanks," Mack replied. Vee echoed him, but Tia didn't seem to hear her. She was far too busy making eyes at the big truck. Mack smiled politely in return, trying his hardest not to blush. When the waitress finally drove away, he sighed heavily and sunk low on his axles.

"I am not looking forward to tonight," he mumbled.

"Why not?" Mater asked, startling both Mack and Vee. The rusty tow truck was parked in front of them. "Whut's wrong with tonight? T'ain't even here yet!"

"Oh, well…" Mack started, unsure what to tell him. "It's nothing."

"It's nothing, all right," Ramone teased as he drove by. "A sweet, sexy little nothing, and her name is — "

"Ramone!" Flo barked, cutting him off.

Mater looked up at Mack. "Her name is Ramone?"

"No," Mack mumbled. "It's… Tia."

"Whut about 'er?"

"I uh… I have a date with her tonight." Having said this, he watched Mater's slack jaw grow into a wide grin.

"Wull paint me black and call me a hearse! You got yerself a date with one o' the twins? Boy howdy, that's some mighty nice work right there! Tell me yer secret!"

"Uh, she asked me out," Mack replied, unable to think of anything else to say.

"Wow! That's all it takes, huh? Shoot, Ah'd never o' thoughtta that! Thank ya, Mack!"

"Uh, sure thing."

Mater's gaze drifted from Mack to Vee. "Wull howdy! Ah didn't even see ya right there! How ya doin'?"

Vee pulled forward a little. "Hello," she said quietly, looking the rusty tow truck over. He continued to grin. "Um, have we met?"

"Shore have! Ah done towed ya tuh the clinic last night! 'Course, you was out cold at the time, so ya probably don't remember…" he trailed off, looking at the ground, then suddenly back up at Vee. "Name's Mater! Whut's yers?"

Mack pulled forward, placing a tire against Vee before she could answer. "Allow me to introduce my best friend from high school, Veronica Vroom."

Vee opened her mouth to speak but Mater cut her off. "Ver-on-ic-a Vroom?" he repeated slowly, taking special care to pronounce her first name. "Wull, Ah like the sound o' that! Ya want Ah should call ya Veronica or Vroom? Or Miss Veronica, or Miss Vroom, or Missus Veronica or — "

"Just call me Vee."

"Okay then. Is that short fer Veronica or Vroom?"

Vee stared at him. "Yes."

"Wull all right then!" Mater nodded, then looked over at Mack. "Say, why ain't you goin' out with Miss Vee here 'stead of that there waitress?" he asked, pointing at the nearest twin.

"That's Mia," Mack answered. "I'm going out with Tia, remember?"

"But whut about Miss Vee?"

Burning redder, Mack glanced down at her before answering. "We're just friends."

"Oh. Ah thought you was more'n jist friends," Mater replied, looking back and forth at the two of them. "The way you was talkin' and laughin' and nudgin' each other the whole time, looked like the two o' ya were purdy darn close."

Mack blushed even more, but didn't dare look at Vee. "Well, we are close, just not… that close," he explained, wishing Mater would just drop the subject. Seeking a diversion he reached for his mug, then remembered that Tia had taken it earlier. Without thinking he waved her down. She positively glowed as she approached him.

"Can I getcha something, honey?" she asked him, batting her eyes.

"Uhhh, yeah," Mack started, fighting down another blush. "Check, please." She nodded and handed him a slip of paper, right side up (or wrong side, according to restaurant etiquette). Mack quickly tucked the bill under his tire before Vee could read it, then paid Tia quickly, telling her to keep the change. He didn't want his friend feeling any more guilty than she already did.

"They're playing Grease at the drive-in tonight," Tia said suggestively, hoping Mack would take the hint.

"They are? I haven't seen that movie in years," Mack replied, avoiding Tia's gaze. A short and awkward silence followed, during which he could feel the little Mazda's eyes burning into him. "You wanna go see it?" he asked her timidly, already knowing the answer.

"I'd love to!" Tia exclaimed. She flashed Vee a quick glance before continuing. "It starts at eight, right when I get off work, so you better not be late," she told Mack, in a suddenly serious tone that sounded chilling coming from such a dainty little car.

"I won't be late," he assured her.

"Good. See ya then!" And she sped off to greet another customer. Mack shook his hood and sighed.

"That's why I'm not looking forward to tonight," he told Mater.

"Wull, if Grease is whut's playin,' Ah'm really lookin' forward to it! Now all Ah need's a date," Mater said, looking around. "Ah cain't drive inta the drive-in by mahself. T'aint no good tuh go to an outdoor movie without a purdy date tuh show off!"

"Well, go ask Mia," Mack suggested.

"Naw. Ah cain't do that."

"Why not? I'm sure she'll at least sit next to you if you offer to share your popcorn with her."

"Naw, Ah mean I cain't cuz she already got herself a date fer tonight."

"Oh. Really?" Mack was surprised by this news. Those girls sure moved fast. He looked again at Mater, who seemed a bit depressed. "Well, why don't you ask…" he started, glancing around. Sally, Flo, Mia and Tia were already spoken for, Lizzie was Mater's great aunt, and everyone else in town were complete strangers passing through. That left only…

"How 'bout you, Miss Vee? Would ya do me the honor o' bein' mah date this evenin'?"

Vee stared at Mater in surprise, while Mack stared down at her, waiting for her answer. "Sure," she replied, after a moment's pause, "I'd love to." She gave him a sincere smile.

"WEEE-HOOOOOOOOO!!!" Mater cheered loudly, making her jump. He started spinning around in circles, cheering like a maniac. Vee chuckled. She'd just met him, but she found she liked the rusty tow truck already.

"Ah got me a date! Ah got me a date!" Mater sang, strutting back and forth and swinging his tow hook around. It nearly hit Doc Hudson's nose as he came driving up. "Mater," Doc said, but was unheard over Mater's singing. The hook swung toward him again, this time within an inch of his windshield. "Mater!"

"Ah got a date! Ah got a date! Ah got a date!" he sang all the louder, completely oblivious to the Hornet's presence. By now everyone at Flo's was watching. He swung his hook again, this time hitting Doc in the side.

"MATER!"

Mater stopped and turned to see Doc with a dent in his passenger door and a scowl on his face. "You're late for your appointment," he growled.

"Ah'm sorry, Doc. Ah jist plumb forgot," Mater said casually. Though he'd stopped dancing, he was hardly keeping still. He was grinning from headlight to headlight, and his tow cable was swinging back and forth like a wagging tail.

"I figure you would," the Hornet replied, regarding him irritably. "What in Ford's name has gotten into you?"

Mater grinned proudly. "Why, Ah got me a date fer the drive-in movie this evenin'."

"Oh?" Doc raised an eyebrow. "It's not another tractor, is it?"

"No sir! Ah got me a real date! One that won't bother no one with her mooin' and chewin' neither, though Ah reckon Frank'll still git jealous and try tuh steal 'er away from me."

"Who is it then?"

Mater puffed himself up, looking very proud indeed as he turned aside and gestured a tire at Vee.

Doc stared at her in surprise. "You?" Vee blushed slightly and nodded in reply. "No offense Mater," Doc said, with a quick nod to the tow truck, "but I thought you'd go with Mack."

"Well, I would have," Vee replied, "but Mack already has a date."

Doc looked up at the big rig. "He does?" Mack blushed yet again.

"That's right!" Mater said loudly on his behalf. "He's got himself a date with Tia! Ain't that somethin'?"

"It sure is," the Hornet replied, in a tone that was anything but impressed. He gave Mack a disapproving look.

"He doesn't really want to go out with her," Vee explained, sensing Doc's disapporval. "But I bullied him into it."

"Oh!" Doc chuckled. "Well, as long as he doesn't enjoy it."

"Humph!" Mack frowned and looked away. Vee laughed too.

"Now don't be sore 'cuz ya got a bad date," Mater told him. "Ya know most guys'd trade with ya in a second." Mack smirked at him, but Mater didn't notice. He was too busy admiring himself in his side-view mirror. "Not me, though. Ah got me one first-class lady right here, and she'll be turnin' more hoods than all two o' those gals put together," he said, pointing at the twins.

Vee blushed. "Not if they see this side of me, they won't," she said, pulling forward until her entire right side was in plain view. Unable to brake, she bumped fenders with Mater.

"Easy there, Miss Vee," he chuckled. "We ain't on our date just yet."

"Sorry," Vee replied. "I can't stop."

Mater blushed. "Boy howdy, did Ah get me a live one!" he exclaimed, nudging her back.

This time Vee blushed. "No, silly. I mean I can't brake. I need new brake pads."

"Oh. So you wasn't puttin' no moves on ol' Mater just now?"

Vee laughed. "Sorry, but I am a lady, after all."

"Ah guess that means Ah cain't put the moves on you neither?"

"Damn straight," Mack said sternly. "No one lays a tread on her without answering to me!" Vee smirked at him. He smirked back.

"That's mighty swell o' ya tuh want tuh be so protectin' of my date, but she is mah date and Ah kin take care o' her mahself. And no one'll lay one single tread on mah date without answerin' tuh me!" Mater said, faking a yawn and stretching a tire out toward Vee.

"Save it for the drive-in," she chuckled, smacking his tire away.

"Hey, I'll be there too, you know," Mack spoke up. "And I'll be keeping an eye on both of you!" He turned to Mater. "You just keep your tires to yourself, you got that?"

"Wull shoot, I weren't gonna do nothin' Ah ought not tuh," Mater replied indignantly. "Ah is a gentletruck, and bein' such Ah ain't gonna do nothin' but date 'er, Mater." He grinned at Vee. "Date 'er, Mater!" he snorted. "That's purdy good!"

"You're not dating anyone until I finish that lube job I started yesterday," Doc chided. "Now get your back bumper over to the clinic. I've got other patients to see today."

Mater nodded to Doc before turning to address Mack and Vee. "Wull Ah'll see y'all later, Ah s'pose. And Ah'll be seein' you this evenin'," he added slyly, winking at Vee.

"Later, Mater," she purred, batting her eyes.

Mater snorted again. "Later, Mater. That's a good un, too!" He chuckled all the way back to the clinic, with Doc following close behind.