I know, I should be updating my other story but I'm still more engaged with this one right now! I'm not having writer's block or anything, so to those of you who are reading my Doc story- don't worry! Thanks for all the reviews everyone! I'm glad everyone is still enjoying the Levina/Damian romance :3 What would their shipper name be? Davina? Lol, I don't know. And yes, SweetP, I used the word 'pop'. I AM Canadian after all ;D OK, back to where we left off with Damian's offer...

Chapter Nine – Close Enough

(Levina's POV)

The word 'yes' is bubbling on my lips. I'm dying to grant Damian permission to introduce me to this magical city where I can be happy. He can teach me the ropes of living the life of an adult. I'm not afraid to become independent. And yet, I feel a tugging that keeps the word inside my mouth. I can't quite define what it is. I register the sickening emotion of guilt, for everything I've done to my mother. The cruel comments I spat at her in the heat of anger now make me feel ashamed. I know that I am everything to her, and that without me, she'd be a hollow creature with nothing worth waking up for. Mater couldn't ease her pain with his humour, Flo couldn't heal her with her comfort and Doc couldn't even numb her soul with morphine. I'm the only thing that makes up for those scars on her heart.

Then I think of my father. He wouldn't want this for me. He wouldn't want his precious daughter running off from her family to follow the trail of a stranger. He would know what is best for me. And most of all, I know he would want me to be here in Radiator Springs, with all his friends. The townsfolk changed his life, and I'm safe in their protection.

I inhale deeply and push out feebly, "I don't know, Damian. This is my home. I can't just leave this all behind like that. You know my mom would forbid it."

He looks disappointed, and it hurts me to see his displeasure with my answer. "I know that. But please, come out for a weekend or something, that's it. You would love it."

It sounds so tempting, and my mind wavers for a brief moment. There are so many thoughts and feelings whirling inside of me but I can't keep a steady hold on a single one. I've only been outside of Radiator Springs about three times in my entire life. I wonder if he even realizes the monstrosity of what he's offering me.

"Give me time to think about it," I find myself saying, after an unnatural length of pause in the conversation.

A tiny smile edges onto his lips, but I can tell he's trying to hold it back. His hand drifts away from mine and he replies, "No problem."

The tension of my body unwinds like a spring and relief washes over me. I don't have to make any decisions right now, I can relax again. How I wish that I knew what to do in situations like these.

Once the pressure melts away, we finish our lunch in peace. I stuff the garbage back into my backpack and stretch my legs out, putting all my weight on my wrists behind me to keep upright. Naturally, Damian shifts into the same comfortable position and we both gaze speechlessly out at the land. Low rumbles shake out of the sky, far in the distance. The rain is almost upon us, and if we want any chance at escaping it then we should probably be leaving by now. However, I don't move an inch. I stay right where I am, breathing in the fresh air, waiting for the rain to catch up to us.

It doesn't take long to feel the first raindrop. At first I can't be entirely sure whether it is rain or my imagination. Then I see a few small specks on my bare legs and my prediction is confirmed. I throw my head back, exposing my face to the falling droplets. I close my eyes and smile gently as the raindrops begin to plummet faster, coating my skin and streaming down my cheeks like tears of joy. I feel as though I'm being cleansed from everything that has been bothering me lately.

Damian's voice comes playfully from beside me. "I told you we should have brought that umbrella."

I can't help smirking at his remark. The rain is pouring steadily now, and I run my fingertips along my forehead. Not much water clings to them, but I flick what does directly into Damian's face. His eyes squeeze shut in reaction and he makes a dorky expression.

I start laughing until he strokes his own fingers through his dripping hair and sends the droplets flying at me. I scream foolishly and scrape my hand through the softening dirt. I hold the clump of brown muck in my palm, bouncing it in a devilish way.

Damian looks at me with slight disbelief, but he can't hide his enticing tone as he says, "You wouldn't…"

I take one glance of contemplation at the mud which is turning less viscous by the second. "Yeah, I would," I say and chuck the disgusting mess at today's vintage tee. I sure hope it isn't one of his favourites.

I hear him gasp and immediately scamper to my feet. He rises from the ground and attempts to get his footing. I take advantage of the delay by racing towards the shelter of the Wheel Well building. I'm almost there when I feel Damian grab hold of my arm. Our skin is slippery with rain, and I try to resist, but he's far too strong for me to pull away. He whips me around to face him and stares directly at me with a mischievous smile on his face. It has to be the most beautiful smile I've ever seen, so full of zeal and excitement. I breathe heavily, rapidly drawing air into my lungs as I look unflinchingly into his eyes. My hair is stringy and thin, while his simply glistens as if he applied too much hair-gel. He's effortlessly perfect.

"You've got me," I admit, "but I'm already drenched. Do your worst."

His eyes flicker above my head briefly and his hands move to the lower part of my waist in one swift movement. He applies enough pressure to slowly guide me backwards. Then, above the squelching of soggy dirt, I hear the sound of running water. Before I know it, I'm beneath a constant stream of water pouring down from the arch of the Wheel Well. Not only does it pour down, it pours straight on my back, plastering the entire back of my t-shirt to me.

I squeal like a total female as the cold water flows down my back and thoroughly saturates me. Damian laughs and slides his hands to the small of my back. He whisks me out of the chilly spot and pulls me close. There is no other place for my hands to go than on his chest. The wet material hugs his figure so tightly that I could probably feel the contracting of his muscles if I really concentrated. There's nothing but the sound of rain now, so loud and heavy, but rhythmic too. The world stands completely still, and I can't get over the fact I'm in his arms.

Until he kisses me.

My eyes somehow trigger to close and time disappears. I can't focus on anything but his soft lips pressed eagerly against mine. I don't notice the blackness of my eyes being shut or the water trickling along my body. Everything loses feeling except for my lips. After an unknown period of seconds, he magically parts my lips open. I don't even know how it happens. His tongue gently enters my mouth and I'm surprised that it doesn't feel slimy or gross. It merely moves around, lighting sensors that send dazing feelings to my brain.

The moment is over far too quickly. Yet, the feeling still lingers in my mouth and head, as if I'm hallucinating that the kiss hasn't ended. I forget that he's still there until I look back up and bat my eyelashes sheepishly. I start thinking about my personal kiss performance and how I didn't really contribute all that much since I was too stunned. I begin to wonder if maybe I should utter a tiny apology for my lack of action.

"I should have known," he says tenderly, "only McQueen could have an amazing daughter like you."

All the air rushes out of me at the mention of my father's name. It's for certain; Damian knows me. He knows me unlike any other stranger who happened to stumble across this lonely town. My past is naked in his mind. I open my mouth to say something but close it when I realize that I have no idea how to respond to such a thing.

Suddenly, Damian jerks his head to look over his shoulder and his arms release me from their comfortable hold. I take a tiny step forward and notice a rattling sound in the distance. Eventually, a rusted tow-truck rounds the bend and shudders to a stop a few feet away from us. A bulky man sticks his head out the window and calls my name.

"Mater?" I say loudly, hoping my voice carries through the rain. I'm a little shocked to see him way out here.

"Yeah," he answers in a chipper tone. He gestures for us to come closer. "Flo told me the pair of ya were headed out here for the afternoon. Come on, I'll give ya a lift out of this darned weather."

I smile and nod, then I motion for Damian to follow me over to the truck. I feel like I'm walking on water, my body as light as air. My heart is still beating wildly and as I climb into the passenger seat I don't care that I'm not sitting right next to Damian in the backseat. With the memory of the last ten minutes replaying in my mind, I feel close enough to him already.

A KISS! ;) Oh, and just so you guys know, by 'Motor City' I'm not talking about Detroit. Radiator Springs is a fictional place and therefore Motor City is too in this case. I meant to mention that a long time ago, sorry. Also, I really wanted to share with you this AMAZING piece of fan art by claualphapainter-95 :D She made it based on Levina from when I wrote Here After and I know she wants to colour it in the future but it is just too great not to share :) I cannot thank her enough! Since FFN doesn't let you post links, if anyone wants to see it then you just need to remove the hyphens (these - marks)

h-t-t-p-:-/-/-2-4-.-m-e-d-i-a-.-t-u-m-b-l-r-.-c-o-m-/-t-u-m-b-l-r-_-m-6-w-v-k-h-l-Z-8-Q-1-r-3-n-h-x-r-o-1-_-1-2-8-0-.-j-p-g

Thanks for reading, reviews are welcome!