Adventures in London

Harley never did much traveling as a child, unless it was a trip around the desert that surrounded Radiator Springs. After joining Lightning McQueen's pit crew, she found herself riding with Mack to several cities across the United States of America. Then she got to travel the world for the World Grand Prix mission. The marvel of all these different places made Harley smile like a Cheshire Cat, and she never got tired of traveling to a new place.

Like now, when she rode in Siddeley with Finn to visit London. Though she had been there before, she never got to do much sightseeing between saving Finn and Holley from Big Bentley and getting knighted by the Queen herself. Finn's gift for Harley's eighteenth birthday was a personal tour of his hometown, and Harley couldn't stop bouncing in her seat as she glued her face to the window. Finn managed to convince her to sleep most of the way for the overnight flight, but when Siddeley announced they were getting close Harley jumped up to the window and plastered her face to the glass.

"I do hope you like it, Harley." Finn said. "There's plenty of tourist spots, which we will pass by. But I'd love to show you Primrose Hill and some of the other smaller districts where I grew up. I think you'll like them. There are also some shops around if you like. I know you aren't much of a city person, but just stay with me and we won't get lost."

Harley giggled as she looked to him. "If I didn't know any better, Finn McMissile, I'd say you were nervous."

"What?" Finn smirked playfully. "Me? Never."

Harley laughed, readjusting her glasses. "Finn, I'm sure I'll love it." Finn nodded, seeming reassured. Harley glanced down to her ankle, where her psyche human birthmark rested. If she and Finn didn't already have a strong friendship, it definitely became solidified when they found out about the Soul Connection between them. Harley loved Finn, and she knew he loved her too. That's how she knew this trip was so important to Finn. It was his chance to show off his hometown, something very important to him.

She couldn't wait.

Siddeley finally landed in a remote space outside of London so to not draw attention to himself. Finn and Harley exited the jet with the promise to be back later that evening. Finn led the way, down a back country road and into the city of London. Harley stuck right by Finn's side, often holding onto him to keep up as he drove through the streets.

Finn didn't hesitate in his tour. A couple of their first stops included Big Bentley, St. Paul's Cathedral, and several other London monuments and skyscrapers. Harley had her camera out for the entire drive, taking several pictures she knew she'd have to show everyone back home. After the touristy sites and brunch at a nice café, Finn took Harley up to Primrose Hill. The park area offered a wonderful view of the London skyline, and Harley insisted they take some time to relax under the shade of a tree.

After that was a trip to Forest Hill, where Finn grew up as a child before going to the C.H.R.O.M.E. Academy. To Finn's amusement, Harley became especially giddy to see where Finn used to live as a boy. This, of course, led into a conversation about what life was like for Finn, and he began describing how he'd park on the roof of his home just to stare at the stars or pretend to be a spy in his own backyard. Finn had a couple friends on the neighborhood block, but he mostly kept to himself.

Soon, Finn announced it was almost tea time. Harley became somewhat confused at this. "There's a specific time for tea in London?"

"There's a specific time for tea in Ireland, too." Finn confirmed, leading Harley into downtown London. "Afternoon tea is a tradition that reaches back to the 1800s."

"Cool!" Harley breathed. "But then why are we going to a hotel?"

"We're going to the café attached to the hotel." Finn explained. "My mother used to take me and my younger sister down here every weekend for tea."

"Really?" Harley perked up, this being one of the few times Finn actually talked about his family. "What was it like?"

"Quaint." Finn said. "My mother and father were generally busy running the shop, so my mother would take us down here on her day off and we'd talk about how the week went."

"You didn't spend much time together?" Harley asked.

"We did." Finn assured. "But most of that time was spent in the shop."

Harley bobbed her head in understanding, and allowed Finn to lead her into the café. Thinking ahead, Finn managed to get a reservation and he and Harley sat at a table near the window. Harley noticed a couple people already in the café stared at her.

"Uh, Finn?" Harley whispered. "Why are people staring at me?"

"This is a bit of a high-class place, Harley." Finn whispered back with a wink. "Not many people come in here with stripes in their hair."

Harley put a hand to her head, realizing she practically screamed "American Lady" with the cobalt blue streaks in her brunette hair. "Oh. Right."

Finn only chuckled quietly, so Harley let it go. The waiter brought over two cups, saucers, and spoons, two ornately decorated pots of tea, and a three-tier tray of tiny pastries. Harley immediately (and as politely as she could) grabbed several of the pastries to put on her plate, and she poured herself some tea. Finn chuckled softly, filling his own cup and silently inhaling the scent of the tea. Well this certainly brings back memories. He thought, adding some milk to cool his drink down.

Harley discovered a couple things just in the first few minutes of their stay. For one, the tea was way too hot to drink immediately. So she dug into the pastries. Some of them were soft biscuits with a dollop of jam, which Harley found surprisingly good. Then she discovered tiny chocolate and vanilla cakes with thin layers of icing. One in particular caught her eye: a square-shaped cake, with the chocolate and vanilla pieces cubed and arranged like a checkerboard, with a layer of pink icing around it. Finn called the icing "marzipan," describing it as a "fancy frosting used on fancy desserts." Harley giggled at the description, but when she tried it she found it tasted pretty good. Finn had to swipe a couple of the pastries for himself before Harley finished them all.

By then, Harley guessed her tea would be ready to drink. She took a sip…and immediately her face scrunched up in disgust. It took all her willpower to not spit it out again. The tea was much too bitter. Harley had tea before, but that was the sweet, peach iced tea Flo had in her café. Harley tried adding ice cubes from her glass of water, careful to not overflow her cup. But she had to dump some of the tea back into the pot, put several ice cubes in her cup, and pour a new cup of tea over the top of them. It seemed to work, but now Harley just had a cup of cold bitter tea. Harley glanced over to Finn, who sipped his tea without any problem. She remembered how he put some milk in his drink, but the idea of milky tea didn't appeal to Harley. Then she noticed a bowl full of sugar cubes on the table, and she used the tiny pair of metal tongs to put a couple cubes in the tea. A little better, but the bitter taste of the tea still bothered her. So Harley took a small handful of the cubes and plopped them into her cup. She took her spoon and stirred furiously, biting her tongue in concentration as she watched the sugar dissolve in her drink. Her spoon made clinking noises every time she hit it against the inside of her cup.

"Harley." Finn piped up. Harley paused in her stirring and glanced to him. He had a kind smile on his lips. "A little quieter, please."

Harley shrunk down a little in sheepishness. "Oh. Sorry." She resumed stirring, careful to not hit her spoon against the inside of her cup. When she finished, she took a sip. Now her tea tasted like sugar water with an itsy bitsy tea taste, but she could finally gulp it down. She sighed, happy at last.

What Finn said to her caught up to Harley, and she suddenly realized she probably broke every rule of tea etiquette in the book. She looked around the café, and she finally noticed a couple other patrons glancing her way and whispering to each other. Oh dear Chrysler. What did I do? Harley straightened up in her seat, her cheeks burning and turning red. Stupid, Harley, stupid! I can't believe what an idiot I am! I just embarrassed myself in front of Finn. Oh great, what if I embarrassed Finn too? But when Harley looked up, Finn was contently reading a book he picked up from a bookshelf nearby. He didn't seem to notice Harley's behavior, or maybe he was just hiding how mortified he was by what she did.

I'm sorry, Finn. Harley thought, ashamed. That was so stupid of me. She quietly and slowly poured herself another cup of tea, and she took a sip. The bitter taste made her want to gag, but she could at least pretend to drink the tea until it was time to go.

As Finn led the way, he noticed Harley became rather quiet. Her Cheshire Cat smile disappeared, and she kept staring at the ground. "Are you all right?"

Harley perked up, and she put on a smile. "Yeah. I'm fine. That tea was really good. Thanks."

Finn could tell she was lying. But he smiled. "You're welcome." I hope she wasn't too disappointed. I thought she was having a good time. "Well, I figured you'd like to visit some of the shops around here, so we're going to a place called the West End."

"Sounds fun." Harley said honestly. When they finally arrived in the West End, Harley started enjoying herself again and she almost forgot about the tea incident. Finn opted out of going into very many of the shops, and Harley found a Big Bentley snow globe and a cream-colored knit sweater that had a Union Jack on the back. She was careful, though, to make sure she didn't completely stick out like a sore thumb amongst the other Londoners doing their shopping.

But she still felt very much like an outcast, like she didn't belong amongst the natives. It was rather unsettling. When she traveled with Lightning to races around the U.S.A., she was shy but knew that she had friends nearby. Her only friend here was Finn. Travelling to Japan for the World Grand Prix, Harley was able to impress the native Japanese people with her rough yet understandable language skills. In Paris, she just had to visit the black market and meet Tomber; and in Porto Corsa, she and Mater were undercover. Now, she was in London in a seemingly casual setting. But it seemed that she couldn't do something as simple as shopping without feeling like everyone judged her. She put on a brave face, though.

This is for Finn. Harley reminded herself as she half-listened to Finn describe the history of Tyre Bridge to her. He was so excited to show this to me. Even if I get uncomfortable, I have to put on a smile for his sake.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Harley." Finn said as they drove through an area full of smaller, more local shops.

"Anything for you, Finn. What do you need?" Harley asked.

"I need you to run into the next store we're going to and get some elderflower chamomile tea." Finn instructed. "I'll give you some money for it."

"Okay." Harley nodded, wondering what on earth elderflower chamomile must taste like. "But why aren't you getting it yourself?"

"You'll see when we get there." Finn said enigmatically. Harley stared at him, but shrugged. She would do anything for Finn, of course. A simple trip into a supermarket would be no problem. But when Finn stopped and announced they had arrived, Harley finally understood why Finn didn't want to go in.

They stood in front of a shop with a sign that read "McMissile Teas and Kettles."

"Here." Finn handed her some money. "Just get a box of the tea. Remember: elderflower chamomile. And get something for yourself."

"Kay." Harley said, skating into the shop. For a moment, she felt like she was on a mission with Finn and entering enemy territory. After all, this was Finn's family's tea shop, and Finn's parents didn't take it well when he ran away to join the C.H.R.O.M.E. Academy. But Harley forced herself to relax as she searched for the tea Finn requested. The store itself had a homey feeling: walls painted the color of green tea, shelves and tables organized and covered with boxes of tea and different tea tools, and soft lighting from the chandeliers on the ceiling. Classical music played from speakers. Harley looked all around, muttering "elderflower chamomile" under her breath. She saw many things. There were a wide variety of teapots and kettles, ceramic and iron, and decorated in a much wider variety of designs. There were teapots and kettles for loose leaf tea, and tea infusers in interesting shapes like dinosaurs and old car models. There were cups, saucers, and spoons to match the pots. Even whole tea sets were sold. Harley found two walls covered top to bottom in different types of tea, but she couldn't find elderflower chamomile anywhere. She also didn't see any she would want to drink.

Oh this is getting me nowhere. Harley sighed, skating towards the front counter. Finn's waiting for me. Harley found a dark pink Corvette helping another customer and another car wrapping up a gift bag. The second car was forget-me-not blue and had pretty emerald green eyes. She looked like a mix between an Aston Martin and a BMW. When she noticed Harley shyly coming up, the car put on a warm smile.

"Hello there." The car greeted in her cheery British accent. "Can I help you?"

"I hope so." Harley said. "I'm looking for elderflower chamomile tea."

"Oh of course!" the car nodded, driving around and leading Harley back towards the teas. "Sorry about that. It's always so difficult to find."

"Is it not that popular?" Harley asked.

"I wouldn't call it unpopular, but it's not our bestseller." The car explain, finding a box and handing it to Harley. "But it's a classic. If you don't mind me asking, you're not from around here, are you?"

"Is the accent that obvious?" Harley chuckled nervously.

"That and the hair." The car giggled. "You don't see many human Londoners with hair like yours."

"Yeah." Harley shrugged. "It's just my thing."

"Well I certainly can respect that." The car said. "You live here in London?"

"No, I'm visiting with a friend." Harley said. "He told me to find this tea and get something for myself, but I don't know if I'll find anything."

"You don't drink tea in the States?"

"I drink sweet iced tea."

The car nodded, and she looked through the shelves before taking down another box of tea and handing it to Harley. "Try this, then. It's a fruit-flavored green tea that tastes quite good when chilled."

"Really?" Harley stared at the box in amazement. "Cool! Thanks!"

"Not at all!" the car chirped. "Come along. I'll ring you up."

"Thanks." Harley said again. "I'm Harley, by the way. Harley Hudson."

The car gasped. "Not the Harley Hudson? Daughter of the Hudson Hornet and crew chief for Lightning McQueen?"

"You've heard of me?" Harley asked, mildly surprised.

"The Hudson Hornet was very popular here in London back in the day." The car said. "Everyone is so happy you're able to carry on his legacy."

Harley smiled warmly. "Thanks. It's nice to know people still respect my dad like that. What's your name?"

"I'm Annabelle. Ann for short. Annabelle McMissile." The car introduced.

Harley froze as she was handing the car money to pay for the tea. "McMissile? As in…?"

Ann laughed. "Yes. My parents own this shop. I'm set to take over when they pass it on to me someday."

"Wow. Cool." Harley breathed. I don't believe it! This must be Finn's little sister! She's so nice. I wonder if she remembers him. But would Finn like it if I brought it up? "So, uh….."

Ann looked up from bagging the tea. "What is it?"

"I was just wondering….." Harley struggled to find her words as she took the bag and her change. "…..is it just you and your parents that run the shop? No siblings?" She cast a glance to the Corvette, as though assuming the other car Ann's sister to cover up her true question.

"Just me and my parents." Ann confirmed. "Although I did have a brother once."

Harley perked up. "A brother? Wait, what do you mean 'once'?"

"Well, he sort of left one day and I don't get to see him very often." Ann said, albeit sadly. "In fact, I haven't seen him in a very long time. But I'm sure he'll come back when he gets the chance. Would you like to see a photo of him?"

"Sure!" Harley nodded.

"I know I should be working, but I just love showing people my family." Ann said, rummaging around behind the desk. "Besides, it's not that busy. Now where is it….aha! Here we are!" Ann pushed a picture forward on the desk. "See? That's me as a child. And the lighter blue bloke next to me is my brother, Finn."

Harley looked at the picture, and she smiled at the sight of two young cars playing in a backyard. One of them was clearly Ann, still in the forget-me-not blue paintjob. Finn's paintjob didn't have the silvery tone of his current one and he hadn't quite grown into his grill plate mustache, but Harley could tell just by the eyes that it truly was her Soul Connect partner as a child. He and Ann looked very happy, and Harley felt a pang in her heart. Even if Finn's parents didn't like him, he clearly shared a strong bond with his baby sister. Leaving her must've been hard for him.

"So what happened to him?" Harley asked as Ann put the photo away.

"I don't know." Ann admitted. "He just left. My parents don't tell me anything, of course. But he visits me every couple years or so."

Harley was shocked, even when she tried to hide it. Every couple years? How can she be okay with that? What about spending Christmases together as a family? What about family vacations? He's gotta go back more often than a couple years or more.

"What the hell are you doing here you slagging munter?!"

Ann and Harley jumped, them and everyone else in the store turning to the front door. "Father?" Ann murmured, her and Harley joining the people investigating the shout. Outside the shop, Finn faced another Aston Martin who looked remarkably like him, only with his fenders flatter and his rearview mirrors next to his eyes like normal cars. The second Aston Martin was also dark green in color with whitewall tires. His bright blue eyes were settled into a fierce glare that he locked onto Finn.

"I'm sorry, is this not a public space?" Finn retorted.

"You are not welcome here." The green Aston Martin growled.

"It's not like I'm actually going into the shop." Finn said.

"You're close enough!" the green car snapped.

Finn sighed. "Oh Edward McMissile. It seems your temper has yet to be reined in."

"Oh dear." Ann murmured. "Doesn't he know he's just going to make Father angrier?"

I was right. Harley thought. That really must be Finn's dad.

Edward McMissile's glare became so deep his eyes almost closed. "I thought I told you the last time you came here that I never wanted to see you again. One would think that my warning would've been enough to keep you away."

"Warning?" Finn scoffed. "You mean your threat? The violent, intentional threat you made against your own son?"

Edward's engine revved in anger. "You are not my son. Not anymore."

"You can disown me, push me out of your life, you can even kill me if you wanted to." Finn said, his tone calm. "But you can't take away the fact that the oil in me is the same as the oil in you."

Finn knew he won that argument as he saw the anger in Edward's eyes increase (if it could by then). But the green Aston Martin growled. "Get out. Right now!"

"I'm waiting for a friend." Finn replied simply.

"You can wait for him around the corner." Edward growled.

"She is actually not from around here." Finn countered, keeping his tone calm as ever despite the anger bubbling up inside him. "I would hate for her to get lost."

Edward growled again. Ann tensed up. "Oh dear…."

"You have all of ten seconds to get out of here." Edward warned.

Finn narrowed his eyes a little. "Or what?" He asked boldly.

Edward continued to glare, and he suddenly reversed and parked several feet away. He revved his engine loudly, trying to be intimidating. Ann, the Corvette, and many of the shop patrons jumped or gasped, but Finn remained resolute. He was Finn McMissile, after all. He had faced much worse than a furious father.

"Ten." Edward called over the rev of his engine, beginning the countdown. Everyone held their breaths, waiting for the next move. It was one of the longest ten seconds of Harley's life, waiting for Finn to make a move. Would he leave? Fight back? Just take the hit? What would Edward do?

Suddenly, Edward gunned forward and headed straight for Finn, intending to ram him.

Finn didn't even flinch, preparing to jump out of the way at the last second.

"No don't!" Harley suddenly shouted, leaping between Finn and Edward. She held her palms out, but Edward would never be able to slam his brakes in time.

He didn't have to. For a brief moment, a blue-green, translucent bubble appeared around Harley and Finn, and Edward crashed into that instead. Harley stared at her hands, her eyes wide. Was that a new psych-man power? She wondered.

Edward growled in pain and frustration. He glared at Harley. "What breed of idiot are you that you would jump in front of a moving car?"

Harley glared at Edward. "Well what breed of idiot are you to attack your own son?"

"That pathetic pile of scrap metal is not my son." Edward scoffed.

"I'm sure you wish that." Harley huffed. "I wish that too. Because you don't deserve a son like him. He has ten times the engine you could ever hope to have!"

Edward's anger flared again. "Why you little—"

"Harley." Finn piped up, his tone firm. "Come along now." He began driving off, gently herding Harley away from the store. Harley followed faithfully, still glaring. They continued down the street, silent the entire time until Finn pointed out where they were going to have dinner. They entered the Italian restaurant and sat down, looking over the menus. Silence returned for a long time.

"I wish you weren't his son." Harley finally said. "You're too good for him."

"He's my father, not my beau." Finn said, not looking up from his menu.

"My point still stands." Harley said firmly. "You're the great Finn McMissile. You've done so many amazing things. He should be immensely proud to call you his son."

Finn scoffed softly. "You hold me in too high regard."

Harley frowned at Finn. "Or maybe you don't hold yourself in high enough regard."

Finn finally looked to her, taking a minute to register what she said. "Harley, what happened with my family is in the past. I do not regret the choices I made with my life, even if they force me away from my family."

Harley's face and posture relaxed in defeat. "Okay…"

Silence returned. Harley and Finn ordered their food, waited for it to come, and started eating, but still didn't speak for a long time.

Harley paused in the middle of twirling spaghetti onto her fork. "Finn, I have a confession to make."

Finn looked to her. "What's that?"

Harley sighed, slumping in her seat. "I appreciate that you took me to see your hometown. I love that I got to know you a little more based on where you grew up. But….I've just been feeling so out of place. Part of me wishes I hadn't come because I don't belong here."

"Harley, wherever I belong, you do too." Finn assured.

"Let's get real here, Finn." Harley sighed. "I'm a country girl from the deserts of Arizona. I put streaks in my hair. I go tractor-tipping with Mater. I don't belong in a city full of proper British people."

"Is that really what you think?" Finn asked. Harley nodded, and Finn smiled. "There's nothing wrong with being yourself. Not even in other countries. How do you think I feel when I'm in Radiator Springs?"

Harley looked up. "You never seem uncomfortable."

"It's not always uncomfortable, per say." Finn said. "But whenever I see your family all together, talking and laughing and simply being themselves, I can't help but feel I don't belong there. You think a 'country girl' doesn't belong in Britain, how do you think a British chap feels in your little town?"

Harley shrugged. "I guess I never thought about it much before. You always seem so content. I can never tell if something is bothering you unless we're alone together."

Finn chuckled. "Force of habit, I suppose. I'm most comfortable around you, after all."

Harley smiled now. "I'm comfortable around you too. Good thing, considering our connection." She looked to her ankle, where her psych-man tattoo rested.

"Indeed." Finn agreed. "How interesting that we seemed to discover another one of your powers."

"Yeah." Harley nodded. "Force fields. Kinda weird."

"I don't think so." Finn said. "Your birthmark has the wings and snakes, the symbol for medicine. That's where your healing abilities come from."

"But the sword? I thought that meant a warrior." Harley said. "That's why I got paired with you."

Finn chuckled. "I supposed you could see spies as warriors. But it also could mean protection. You have a fierce devotion to the people you care about, and time and time again I have seen you do everything in your power to keep those people safe. It's an admirable quality."

Harley blushed a bit. "Thanks. But you have some of those qualities too. I'm only brave because you taught me."

"Well if you're so brave, why are you afraid to be yourself no matter where you go?" Finn asked. "Mater can do it. You shouldn't ever be scared of how people will judge you just for being yourself."

Harley's smile grew. "Thanks, Finn. Really."

Finn nodded. Then, he got an idea. "Finish your dinner. I have one last stop for us."

Harley had to sit on Finn's hood so she could keep her eyes closed, as instructed by the Aston Martin as he drove through the dark London streets. Finn looked all around, wondering where he could see it best. Finally spying a good spot, he parked next to a stone railway that overlooked the river. He looked around to make sure the lighting was just right. Twilight settled over London, turning the sky a mix of purples, pinks, and blues. The buildings began lighting up.

"Can I open my eyes yet?" Harley asked.

"Not yet." Finn said, gently depositing the girl onto the ground. "Turn a little to the left. No, back to the right. Stop! Now wait for it."

Harley giggled. "Can I open them now?"

"Just hold on." Finn said. There! "Okay. Open them."

Harley opened her eyes, and her jaw dropped in awe. She and Finn stood next to the river, and across the water they could see the Palace of Westminster and Big Bentley. The lights were on, and they lit up the palace and the clock tower beautifully. Lights around the base of Big Bentley's roof gave the tower a green ring. The lights reflected off the river's surface, only adding to the beauty. Finn smiled warmly, the lights from the palace reflected in Harley's eyes.

"Oh my gosh." Harley breathed. "It's beautiful."

Finn followed her gaze, the two of them staring at the palace and clock tower. "This is where I used to come to think. If I ever had a rotten day at school, or if I had a fight with someone, I loved to come here and think things through. It's…..meditative….."

"Not a bad place to hang out if you have something on your mind." Harley said. "And Big Bentley looks much prettier from this vantage point than it does when you're about to be crushed by gears."

Finn laughed, and Harley giggled. Finn felt his previously sour mood dissolve in that moment, and he knew it was because of Harley. The girl never let her family feel bad about themselves. She did what was best for them, and helped guide them down a path that could bring them happiness or allowed them to find something they needed.

"Thanks for showing me this, Finn." Harley sighed, leaning against the Aston Martin.

Finn leaned into her touch, sighing as well. Thank you, Harley, for always being such a good friend.

Siddeley picked them up in the same place where he dropped them off, and he flew them back towards Radiator Springs. Harley leaned the backrest of her chair as far back as it would go, making it flat so she could lay down and sleep. Finn did a little reading, casting glances to Harley now and then. After a while, Finn moved to grab a blanket, draping it over Harley.

"How are you two doing?" Siddeley asked over the radio.

"Keep it down, Sid." Finn said in a hushed tone, moving away from Harley to not wake her. "Harley's asleep."

Siddeley chuckled softly. "So much of that kid reminds me of Leland. Like right now. He used to fall asleep after missions all the time."

"That's because he would be pulling all-nighters just to finish work faster." Finn chuckled.

"Well, I'll sign off for now." Siddeley said. "We're still several hours from Radiator Springs. Did you and Harley enjoy your day in London?"

Finn smiled at Harley. "Yes. Yes, we did."

A/N: I'll not translate what Edward called Finn, but I will say it was awfully fun to look up British insults. :D