Hey everyone! I hope the wait wasn't too long! Oh, and I want to assure some of those concerned readers that the kiss WILL be revealed at some point so please don't panic that McQueen won't find out. Hopefully this chapter should help clear some things up and it is one of the longer chapters so enjoy!

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

"Show's over," Sally said sarcastically.

Justin was sitting alone in the shade of a small tree. His eyes sprung open at the pitch of Sally's voice. He didn't find McQueen or Doc within eyesight or hearing distance. Disregarding Sally's comment he decided to seize the moment as his chance.

"Sally-," he started.

"Don't even try it. You know what I'm talking about," she snapped, cutting him off.

Justin was puzzled and searched her face in bewilderment. This wasn't turning out the way he had mentally scripted. Wasn't she here to admit that she was ready to bail? To tell him she wanted to go home? Or had he been delusional to the truth?

No! he told himself, She still loves me! How could she not? That silly racer kid has just thrown her off track. I bet she's scared, I'll just have to lead the way…

"Look, Sal, I know you're probably still mixed up about everything but I've got it sorted out," he said confidently.

Sally squinted her eyes in confusion and disbelief. It was as if they were having two separate conversations.

"Let me take you away from here. We don't have to go back to L.A.; I know you don't like it there. I'll get a new job and pay all the bills. We'll find a nice place and-," he rattled off like a programmed robot.

"Justin! Are you crazy? I'm going back to Radiator Springs…without you," Sally hissed.

"But, I thought…" he said quietly.

"Thought what? That I would break it off with McQueen? That I would climb happily back into my old life? What is wrong with you?" she asked rhetorically.

"Well, no," he explained shyly, "I know I made mistakes with you Sally but I can fix them. We have to try again. We're supposed to be together, your father even said it!"

Sally felt like she'd taken a blow to the gas tank. "What?" she said feebly.

"When I was sixteen your dad told me I had his blessing…his permission. I asked him what he meant and he told me 'Son, someday you're going to marry my daughter, we all know that,'" Justin imitated her father's voice.

She sighed in utter shock and dismay. No wonder Justin still wanted her; he thought she loved him unconditionally. He'd been fooled by the influence of her father. Suddenly she felt an immense amount of sadness for Justin having to cling to such an unrealistic goal.

"Justin, I'm so sorry. I never knew that he told you that. I can't go with you though. You have to understand…I don't-,"

"Love me? I could tell," he finished casting his eyes down in humiliation.

"Huh? But how?" Sally responded softly.

"I can tell when a couple is in love, that's how. I can see it in the way you look at McQueen, the way you speak to him; the ways you never did to me. I've only been courting you since your father told me to. He wants what is best for you, which he thought was me I guess. At first I didn't mind but I've known for a while now that we're only friends. No offence, it just felt like having a crush on your hot, older sister," Justin admitted.

Sally smiled at his touching and amusing words. There was still something she wondered though, "What about that kiss?"

"Yeah…I've been thinking about that. It was kind of a last stand sort of deal. I figured that if you didn't kiss me back then the fire was probably long burnt out," he answered.

Sally nodded, "Oh, yeah, definitely gone I'm afraid."

Justin laughed, "Quite frankly, I'm glad you pulled away. Do you remember Ashley from law school?"

She grinned happily in realization, "I knew you always had a thing for her!" she exclaimed.

"Yeah," he chuckled beneath his slight embarrassment.

Sally met Justin's eyes and it grew quiet for a short moment. It felt like an invisible chain had been broken and at last their hearts could fly freely.

"Should we kiss goodbye?" Justin finally said.

Sally's expression went completely blank for a fleeting second.

Justin laughed, "I'm kidding! Save that for McQueen."

Sally grinned and rolled her eyes.

"Seriously, "I'm glad I wasn't there when he got back from that race," he teased.

"Oh, that was nothing," she said playfully.

"I can only imagine! You better keep in touch with me though. I heard something about a wedding?" he offered.

"M-hmm, maybe I'll see you then?" she followed along.

"Only if Ashley gets an invite."

"Ha ha! We'll see about that, now you get out of here lover boy!"

Justin smiled warmly, "Goodbye Sally."

"Bye, Justin."

With her final parting words she reversed and watched him zoom off into the distance, kicking up a trail of red dirt and dust.

So there you have it...the answer to one of your questions. Sally and Justin are not in love. I hope that helps calm you guys some even if you are still dying for McQueen to find out about the kiss. Another thing though, once the story is done (I'm looking at around 35 chapters) I'm going to go through and revise it and root out any grammar errors etc. I was looking back at some of the early chapters and I was wondering if you guys wanted me to amp up chapter 7 some (you know, the $3X scene)? I realized it didn't really come off as strong as I orginally thought it did but I won't do it unless you guys want me too. This is a T rated story, so I can if you want but I know some people don't really like that type of thing so please let me know what you think with a review. Thanks!