Rumor Has It

(Set: a few months after Cars)

"Cozy Cone Motel, how can we help you today?"

"Sally? Sally Carrera?" a familiar voice asked, sounding surprised.

"Speaking." Sally responded in a friendly tone.

"Oh my god, finally! Hey, Pinstripe! It's me, Val!" the excited voice chimed. Sally grinned.
"Val! It's been too long, how are you?!" the Porsche asked her college roommate.

"How am I? Uhm, shocked, is what I am! Here I am, just going about my day, watching entertainment today in the break room, when the story of the day is the world famous Lightning McQueen's new girlfriend. And oh, who is that? Could it possibly be my law school sister, the amazing Sally Carrera?!" Val rambled. Sally laughed, noting that her college best friend hadn't changed in the slightest.

"Guess the cat's out of the bag, huh?" Sally responded through a grin that was a peculiar mixture of smug and sheepish.

"Are you kidding me, like are you confirming this?! That was you?!"

"Guilty as charged." A joke among the lawyers.

"Oh my god, NO WAY. I can't believe you didn't tell me! You're like, an automatic celebrity! Is it serious? They said he met you during that whole 'lost in the desert' stunt. Was that staged for the media, or did he actually stumble into your little town?" Val didn't seem to know when to stop long enough to get an answer to her many questions.

"Yes, it's serious, and yes, he actually came to Radiator Springs. Nothing was staged." Sally answered, but knew that wasn't the end of the avalanche of questions.

"Jesus, Sally! We always knew you'd land a good one but oh my god! This is quite the accomplishment, even for you!" Val's words were accusatory, but she sounded as if she were more excited than if she'd won the lottery. Sally chuckled at her old friend's antics. "Maybe you were right about running off to the middle of the desert. I mean, we all thought you were crazy for it, but God, you obviously got something right."

"Why thank you, Val. It definitely all worked out for me." Sally said. "So how're things in LA? As fabulous as ever?"

"Oh, you know. Life goes 90 miles a minute, the cases get crazier every week. Oh, listen to this one, there was this divorcing couple that went to court over-"

"Hey, Sal? Can you come to the track with me today while Doc is-" Lightning called out to her as he approached her office, stopping short when he turned the corner and saw her. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you were on the phone." He began to back away.

"No way. Is that THE Lightning McQueen?! Now I know this is for real." Val's tone was dry and utterly shocked. Sally quietly laughed at her.

"Hey, Stickers, come say hey to my friend Val." Sally suggested warmly. Lightning grinned and drove up to her.

"So you're the famous Val, huh? I've heard quite a few law school stories involving you!" Lightning joked.

"Oh great, Lightning McQueen knows all of my embarrassing party stories. Never thought I'd be able to say that!" all three laughed.

"Well, don't you worry about Sally. She's in good hands out here, and a thriving businesswoman to top it off." Lightning complimented her.

"Oh, I don't doubt that. I'm worried about the rest of you! She can be a handful, I hope you can keep up with her!" Val paused for a moment. "But I don't think I need to tell a famous racecar to 'keep up' with someone, so scratch that." Another round of laughter.

"Don't go telling my secrets now, Val." Sally said with a smile.

"Oh, hey, I better get back to work. Boss man is yelling for me, as per usual." Val said, her tone obviously annoyed. Sally almost shuddered at the thought.

"Can't say I miss the life of an LA lawyer." She replied.

"Yeah, you definitely made the better choice of the two of us." She joked. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. McQueen! I appreciate you looking after our star girl."

"Hey, no problem. Come visit Radiator Springs sometime! I may be able to swing you a discount at the Cozy Cone, I know the owner." He teased, and Sally chuckled.

"I'll keep that offer in mind. Don't be a stranger, Sally. And congrats again!" Val said.

"You too, thanks Val!"

"Later, pinstripe."

"Bye Val." Sally hung up the office phone and turned to her racecar.

"Can't escape LA entirely, huh?" he asked teasingly.

"You never fully recover from law school. But Val is one side effect I'll gladly keep around." She boasted with a grin.

"You're becoming quite the celebrity yourself these days, Miss Carrera." Lightning said as they turned to make their way towards the office door. Sally smiled.

"I'm not complaining."