A/N: So here's the last chapter of Part Two! Like most of the chapters lately, this second arc was short but important, as it will explain things in Part Three, where Harley tags along with Mater and gets a crash course in the world of espionage.

Chapter Six: Harley's Family

Doc usually joined everyone for breakfast in the mornings, but it wasn't unusual for him to skip now and then. What really worried the Radiator Springs' folks the next morning was the lack of Harley, who never skipped out on breakfast with the residents. The townsfolk gave it a few more hours before they went to investigate and discovered Doc and Harley were missing. A little panicked, they began searching the town for their missing family members.

"This don't make sense." Mater said worriedly. "Where would they go?"

"I don't know but we're gonna find 'em." Sheriff assured.

"We just need to think." Lightning encouraged. "Mater's right, where would they go? And without telling someone?" He blinked in realization. "Wait a minute. What about Willie's Butte?"

"Willie's Butte?" Sheriff repeated. "Why would they be there?"

"It's Doc's favorite place to clear his head." Lightning reasoned. "I'll bet he and Harley spend a lot of time there. It's worth a shot."

"Then let's go!" Mater urged, the three of them driving off towards the dirt track. It only took them a few minutes to reach the track, and mere seconds for Mater to spot a cobalt blue paintjob.

"Doc!" Lightning called. "Hey Doc! Is Harley with you?" The Hornet didn't respond, and the three cars slowed as they approached. "Doc?"

"Hey Doc!" Mater called weakly. "You okay?"

Sheriff felt his oil chill in his lines when he saw how limp Doc's form looked. "Oh no….." He slowly rolled up to Doc, taking notice of Harley curled up and fast asleep on his hood. Sheriff swallowed hard and pressed his fender to Doc's, listening intently. Nothing; no running of the engine or any sounds of breathing. Sheriff closed his eyes and reversed from the Hornet's body, sighing heavily. He looked to Lightning and Mater, who stared at him with shocked, pleading eyes. The Mercury shook his hood. Lightning instantly felt like a boulder crushed his engine, and he squeezed his eyes shut in an attempt to stop his tears. Mater couldn't help but shed a few tears, the fat water drops running down his sides. Sheriff drew in a ragged breath before letting it out slowly, desperately holding back his own tears as he drove around to be near Harley's head.

"Harley?" Sheriff called gently. "Darlin'? Wake up."

Harley stirred, then blinked her eyes open. The first thing she saw was Doc's windshield and shut eyes. She smiled warmly, patting the Hornet's hood and sitting up. She looked to the Mercury nearby. "Oh. Hey Sheriff."

Sheriff sighed. "Hey darlin'. You all right?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." Harley nodded, slowly sliding off Doc's hood. "Is Mater—?" She caught sight of the tow truck. "Oh hey Mater. Hey Speed Racer." She casually walked up to them, placing a hand on each of their hoods (or headlight, in Mater's case). The two of them came closer, comforting Harley and receiving her comfort. They stayed that way for several seconds before Harley pulled away, still smiling. "Hey Mater? I know this might be hard, but do you think you could tow Daddy back home? We can't just leave him out here and he's gonna need somewhere comfy to stay for now."

Mater swallowed back a sob. "Sure thing, Sissy." He moved to Doc's front and latched his hook onto Doc's front axle. With a heavy heart, he lifted up the Hornet and the group departed for town. Luckily, there weren't any travelers coming through today. Nobody in town could hide their shock and sorrow at the sight of Doc. Harley stayed right by Doc's side the entire drive back to her home, helping Mater back Doc into the clinic. The townsfolk gathered around the door to the clinic, watching sadly as Harley left the room and returned with a large blanket. She draped it over Doc's body, patting his hood affectionately. She continued to smile, giving Doc one last hug and kiss before pulling away.

When she turned to the door, Harley seemed to just notice the entire town had gathered around. "All right, all of you. Out you go." She exited the clinic and shut the doors, herding everyone away. "Go on. Over to Flo's. I want us all to sit down for breakfast so I can tell you what happened."

Everyone was so upset and mildly confused they didn't have the heart to tell Harley most of them already ate. So they all gathered at Flo's and allowed Harley to tell the story. Though they were all expecting Harley to cry and sob, the townsfolk were surprised to see Harley skating around Flo's excitedly as she recounted last night's events. She started off a little more somber, describing how she found out Doc was dying and she spent an hour crying her eyes out. But when she described his final loop around the track, she spoke with such excitement and splendor that nobody could help but smile. Harley continued to skate around wildly as she described Doc's drifting and speeding across the finish line. When she finished the story, the residents were a bit surprised to find her crying. But the broad smile still rested permanently on her lips.

"Honey, are you all right?" Flo asked.

"Yeah." Harley nodded firmly. "I promised Doc I wouldn't be sad when he died. So I'm not."

"You sure?" Sheriff asked.

"Absolutely." Harley nodded.

"So why're you cryin'?" Mater asked, confusion on his and everyone else's faces.

"Because I'm happy." Harley explained. "For the first time in my life, someone close to me died peacefully. It wasn't because of a sickness or an accident…..or because somebody killed them." She looked to Sheriff, who couldn't stop the tears from building up in his eyes. "Doc died without being in pain and with a big ol' smile on his face. And I understand why he didn't want me to be sad when he left. If I focus too much on what I lost, I won't see what I have now." She looked to each Radiator Springs' resident in turn. "I still have a family, and it's in each and every one of you. The day I lose sight of that will be the day I'm truly lost. I'm never going to forget about you. I promise."

Everyone was silent, smiling at Harley with watery windshields. Lizzie moved up to Harley first, smiling with pride. "That's our girl. Your mother would be so proud of you."

"Just like we all are." Sheriff said, coming up and nuzzling Harley. The brunette giggled and hugged the police Mercury, sighing happily. Lizzie joined in the warm embrace, and soon ever single resident was gathered around and soaking in the warmth and love. There were still plenty of tears, but nobody could feel the sorrow in this one, beautiful moment.

Harley was the first to open her eyes, staring ahead and smiling.

Doc stared back at her, smiling broadly. Stanley rolled up beside the Hornet, looking proud. But Doc's focus remained on his daughter. The two stayed locked eyes for a moment before Stanley and Doc disappeared, the latter's voice drifting through the air and into Harley's ear.

I love you, Harley.

"Love you, Doc." Harley breathed.

THE END