**AN: Hello my wonderful readers, after a long hiatus I am finally back writing again. I cannot tell you how crazy life this last year has been, just one thing after another. But I am back and will try to update as often as I can. I can't promise regular updates, but I can promise I will try.

**Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Planes or Cars franchise, just my OCs. If you would like, please leave reviews, I love hearing some commentary on my writing. Please no flames, if you don't like my writing, don't read it! Now, on with the next chapter of NCSM!

CHAPTER 5

With only a month until the race, both racer and navigator were hard at work. Their respective coaches drilling them like their lives depended on it. Skipper had been having Dusty practice his turns and maneuvers till he was sure they met his standards. Dottie had also put in her help (no way was she letting Dusty go out there unprepared, especially with her daughter in for the ride). In the meanwhile, Audie had been drilling everything about navigation into Sky's head and she was soaking up all she could. Despite everything, both coaches were impressed at the effort their students put in and how much progress they were making. However, at this point, both coaches had been drilling their respective students individually. Today, that was going to change.

"Attention!"

At the ready, both Sky and Dusty stood at attention in front of Skipper and Audie. Both were clean and dressed, ready to take on the skies.

"Good, now that I have you both here," Skipper announced, "it's time to start drilling you both together."

At once, Dusty and Sky gave each other excited looks. The rally was so close, and they were ready to start their team training. Quickly turning back to the corsair, Skipper continued his speech.

"Sky, I've been reviewing all of your drills with Audie, and you've been doing well in your mock drills…"

"Thanks Skipper," Sky thanked him, before being cut off.

"…however, I will now assess you assisting Dusty through his usual drills today. Your outcome will depend upon whether you guide him to the finish line in time. Understood?"

"Yes sir," Sky reported back, bouncing on her heels in exhilaration. She had been preparing for today for the past several weeks. Judging by the shaking going on next to her, Dusty was just as giddy as she was.

"Alright sir, saddle up and head to the field?" Dusty asked.

"Right! You two get up there and show me what you got!" Skipper shouted.

At once, Sky jumped up onto Dusty's wing, her partner already opening the cockpit for her.

"Sky!"

Sky turned just as she was about to sit down in the navigator's seat to see Audie standing there. He had been oddly quiet this morning, no doubt nervous about her performance. Despite her upbeat attitude, Audie knew she was a bundle of nerves. This test would determine if she could really be a navigator to Dusty. He had improved more than enough for Skipper to give his 'ok' to him. However, if the navigator was not competent, the team would fall apart.

Audie stood near Dusty's wing, holding his arms open. Sky jumped down and immediately wrapped her arms around him. He always knew just what she needed, sometimes she thought he knew her better than she knew herself. She gave an extra squeeze as her thanks before letting go and jumping back up into her seat. Just as Dusty was bringing down the hatch, she gave a last thumbs up to Audie, him responding in kind.

Dusty then turned and fired up his engine, heading towards the runway. Sky finished buckling up and brought out her list for their pre-flight check. Going through each item, she and Dusty noted off everything. Once it was complete, Sky pulled her goggles over her eyes.

"Let's do this partner!"

"Right back at you Sky, let's fly!"

With that, Dusty took off down the runway.

*AN: Ok, I wrote and rewrote this scene repeatedly, but nothing seemed quite right. I will be going back and editing it later. As of right now, I just want this chapter, short as it may be, to be published.

Dusty came in for a landing on the runway and slowly came to a halt near where Skipper and Audie stood. Sky had been super vigilant and had done her best to direct her partner as best she could. They had made it past the finish line just barely in time.

You know that feeling? Right after you completed something important, and you feel so stupid? That was where Sky's head was right now. She was running over and over in her mind the many minute mistakes she could have avoided during their run. Breathing heavy, she stood up on shaky legs, almost falling over when she landed on the ground. Dusty looked over, seeing that his partner was having a bit of an anxiety attack. He leaned over, bumping her shoulder with his wing until she looked up at him.

"Hey, just breathe, ok?" Dusty calmy directed, noting Sky was responding, taking long deep breaths. When she had calmed somewhat, she patted Dusty's nose, telling him she was alright.

"Thanks partner," Sky responded, "I just know that I directed you to go at least a degree too hard on that last turn over the tower, it's why we…"

"Sky!"

Sky jumped back at the shout, not used to hearing Dusty raise his voice. He was a very friendly person, a bit goofy like Chug sometimes, but rarely was he ever angry. However, looking at her partner, she knew that wasn't the case.

"You're overthinking this, do you know how well that went for our first run in serious training?" Dusty retorted, a slight chuckle in his tone.

"You really think so?" Sky asked hopefully.

"Of course, I do, you were awesome!"

"Not so bad yourself either, partner."

The pairs cheerful banter was broken up then by Audie.

"You were both awesome."

Both turned to see he had come up to the two, throwing his arm around Sky's shoulders and leaning his hand on Dusty's wing.

"A few things we can work on," Audie explained, "but nothing a few more sessions can't clear up. Right, Dad?"

Dusty and Sky then turned to the old corsair, Sparky pushing him up to his students. They both looked at him with anticipation, Skipper's poker face gave away nothing.

Just then, he decided to break the tension, "You did good, kid, both of you."

Nothing was said at first, until Sky decided to press her luck.

"You mean that? You're not just being nice cause I'm your favorite granddaughter?"

Skipper chuckled at Sky's remark, if she was making comments like this, then she was very nervous.

"Ugh Sky, when has he ever been nice for free?"

Audie was rewarded with a smack to the head by Skipper's wing. While he nursed his new goose egg, Skipper turned back to the pair.

"Snarky comments aside, my son speaks the truth," Skipper assured them both, "a few pointers and you both will be good to go for the race."

Smiling, Sky then turned to her partner.

"Ready for another round, partner?"

"Ready, when you are, partner!"

The next week flew by, literally and figuratively, but Sky and Dusty had worked hard together. Thanks to all their efforts, Skipper had now declared them both fit for battle, so to speak. They were all once again in Skipper's hanger, this time being rewarded for their efforts. They were joined by all their friends, vehicles and humans alike to congratulate the pair on completing their training.

Sparky had a can of black spray paint in his hands, spraying over a stencil on Dusty's nose. Finishing his task, he pulled away the stencil to reveal and skull and wrenches. Dusty admired himself in a nearby mirror at his new mark.

"The Jolly Wrenches, your squadron insignia," Dusty said astounded. Sky smiled at Skipper's gift to her friend, knowing that giving that to him meant a lot.

"You earned it," Skipper affirmed, "and so do you kid."

Skipper motioned for Sparky, who came over and handed her a pilot's helmet, the Jolly Wrenches insignia printed there.

"Thanks Skipper, you don't know how much it means to me that you would do all of this," Sky said appreciatively, going over to give Skipper a big hug. The old corsair had to hold back tears leaning into his granddaughter's embrace. Letting go, he could see everyone staring. Clearing his throat, he went back to business.

"One more thing before we get the party started," Skipper announced, "I want you both to remember at the start of the race, when all those planes take off it will stir up a bunch of swirlys, just like the wrenches ran into in the Battle of Airway."

"Roger that," Dusty replied, "I sure wish you were coming with us Skipper."

"Just radio back here when you get to the checkpoints, I'll be your wingman from here," Skipper informed.

"Volo Pro Veritas, right?" Dusty asked.

"Volo Pro Veritas," Skipper repeated back.

"Volo Pro Veritas," Sky input, saluting Skipper.

Chuckling under his breath, Skipper saluted back, bending his wing above his head.

"Alright guys, they leave tomorrow!" Chug yelled out.

"Now let's party!" Gus shouted back.

Everyone laughed at the two's antics as they all went around congratulating the racing pair and giving hugs and good wishes. Audie stayed back, wanting everyone to give their congrats so he wouldn't be rushed when he did. Once everyone had had a turn, Bella announced that there was a plethora of snacks and drinks back at the shop. Everyone crowded out of the hangar, eagerly awaiting the goodies Bella had promised.

As they were all heading out, Audie grabbed Sky's arm and pulled her back, letting everyone else get ahead.

"What's up Audie?" Sky asked, confused at her friend's actions.

"I just wanted to congratulate you privately," Audie confessed, "and to give you your gift without prying eyes."

"Oh Audie, that's so sweet of you," Sky exclaimed, "but you didn't have to do that, if anything, I owe you big time. I wouldn't have made it this far without your help."

"Nope," Audie replied, popping his lips, "I merely helped you along, your hard work and determination is what got you here."

Sky then jumped on Audie, giving him one of her signature hugs. He squeezed back in kind, relishing in the close contact they shared in that moment. He almost thought she could feel how hard his heart was beating, she did crazy things to him without her even realizing it.

'This is it, I'm gonna tell her how I feel' Audie declared in his head.

When they finally broke apart, Sky immediately went into her pocket and pulled out a small bundle wrapped in a handkerchief.

"What's that?" Audie questioned.

"I'm going to give Skipper his gift tomorrow morning before we leave," Sky explained, "I've had this for a while, and now is the perfect time to give it to you to show how much I appreciate you."

Sky grabbed Audie's hand and placed the small bundle in his palm. Audie then unwrapped the handkerchief to reveal a circular silver object imbued with the Jolly Wrenches insignia.

"My grandfather's pocket watch!" Audie gasped, almost in tears. It might have seemed like such a small thing, but it was enough to open the flood gates and Audie could not stop the happy tears streaming down his face. This little watch had been his father's most treasured keepsake as it was all that he had of his grandfather after the war. The fire that had killed his parents when they were kids had also destroyed his family home. Audie had believed that everything of his family had been lost, until now.

"I found it by chance a few weeks after the fire," Sky explained, "this must have been in a case, because the fire didn't completely destroy it."

Audie looked at Sky, hinting that he wanted an explanation. If she had had it all this time, why did she never say anything? Sky happily continued with her story, reaching over to click open the watch.

"You were absolutely devastated after the fire; and I wasn't sure I would be helping if all I could give you at the time was a piece of charred metal. So, I've been secretly working to restore it for you. I modified it slightly, adding a new picture as well."

Audie looked down, peering at the faces staring back at him, feeling another flood of tears coming on. Looking at the inside of the front cover was a picture of his late grandparents and Skipper, the second photo was of him and his parents. It had been so long since he had seen their faces, and he was feeling overwhelmed.

Sky then pulled Audie in for another big hug, letting him compose himself. He never let anyone, but Sky or Skipper, see him in such a vulnerable state. Once his breathing steadied, Sky let him go and guided her hand once again to the watch. She then turned the top knob and the picture with Audie and his parents flipped to reveal a picture of Audie and Sky. It was the picture taken after he had been inducted into the Navy, Sky in a dress standing next to Audie in his uniform.

"A little reminder that I am always here for you, no matter what," Sky informed, showing him how to flip the picture and close the watch.

Audie once again hugged her, thinking how lucky he was to have her in his life.

"Thanks Sky," Audie said in a joking manner, "I think you beat me in the gift giving department."

"Oh stop Audie, it's the thought that counts," Sky joked back, shoving his shoulder, "what did you get me?"

Audie chuckled at her child like voice, then pulled out a small square box from his pocket.

"I won't be there to see you off tomorrow, I'm heading back to my ship tonight," Audie confessed, "but I wanted to give you this, to congratulate you on a job well done."

Audie then placed the box in Sky's hand, who then opened it to reveal a set of silver wings.

"Oh Audie, its beautiful," Sky murmured from under her hand, "can you put it on me?"

"Yeah, I can do that," Audie replied, taking the necklace from the box as Sky turned her back to him.

Audie then wrapped the necklace around her neck and latching the clasp. Sky turned to him, admiring the silver wings now resting around her neck. Standing there, seeing how beautiful Sky was with the wings now adorning her, Audie cleared his throat.

He was going to do it; he was going to tell her exactly how he felt. The moment was perfect, they were alone, no prying eyes. Sky was now looking right at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Sky, we have been friends for a long time…"

"Mhm…" she replied, egging him to go on.

"…you've always been there for me, and you mean a lot to me…"

"You mean a lot to me too."

"…Wait, just let me finish first, ok?"

"Audie," Sky chuckled, "what is it?"

Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Sky…"

"Yes?"

"Sky, I…"

"Hey kids, what's the hold up?!"

Both parties were startled at the loud voice. Turning towards the voice, they saw Dusty coming back towards them.

"Audie, your ride is going to land in less than ten minutes, do you have all your things ready?" Dusty shouted.

"Yep, I've got all my things ready," Audie called back, grumbling under his voice about 'bad timing'.

"Then you better go get into your uniform pronto," Dusty added, noting Audie's t-shirt and jeans.

Groaning, Audie turned to head into his section of the hanger to get changed. Before he could take five steps, Sky stopped him.

"Hey Audie, what was it you wanted to tell me?" she asked.

Taking a deep breath, running a hand through his unkept hair, Audie turned to her and said, "I just wanted to say, be careful out there, and know I've got your back. I have to get changed, but you head to Dottie's for the party."

With one last hug and thanks, Sky turned and started jogging down the way to Dottie's. Audie stared off at her, feeling like such an idiot. He had the perfect moment to confess, and now it was gone. Seeing Audie's brooding expression, his confusion only lasted a moment before he made the connection.

"I just stepped into a private moment, didn't I?" Dusty asked warily.

"Oh, ya think?" Audie grumbled out before turning and slamming the hanger door closed.

Dusty winced at the noise, feeling a pang of guilt for his friend. Dusty had known about Audie's feelings, and how nervous he was telling Sky about it. They were such good friends and unrequited love would have killed their friendship. Dusty vowed that at some point when Audie returned from duty, he would get his friends together if it killed him.

But he could think of that later, right now he and Sky had a race to win!

**AN: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter (a little bit emotional, but I just had to put that it). Next time, we meet all our favorite other racing characters. So stay tuned! See you next time!