A/N: Hi guys. So, I know this story isn't exactly going to seem to follow the way it's set up, but stay with me, kay? It'll all make sense eventually. This is the revamped version of 'Of Secrets Great and Small' cause I realized that my vision for that story had completely changed. But this one should work out okay. So let me know what you think, cause I'll been gypped on reviews lately.

Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Almost wish I did, so that I could have Mark and his camera and maybe take a break from this heat wave and go freeze my butt off in Bohemia. I mean, come on—it's 12:30 in the morning and 80 degrees outside. That's just wrong.

Chapter 1: Damsels and Dragons…or at least Taxi Cabs

In retrospect, Mark should have known that it couldn't be real. Real life relationships didn't start this way. This was the stuff of fairy tales. He was certainly no Prince Charming…so how was he saving a damsel in distress?

But that's exactly where Mark Cohen found himself, on a beautiful spring day in the middle of the city. The film maker was riding towards the community center, trying to make sure he made it in time for Life Support. Of course, he was also hitting every red light in his path. Now he found himself on a street corner, one foot on the ground, eyes roaming aimlessly, subconsciously looking for something interesting to film. Instead, he found something that was interesting in a whole other meaning.

A few steps down from him stood a young woman in her early twenties, dressed in a ragtag assortment of clothes, with a messenger bag swung over one hip. She caught his eye when he saw her pull a camera out of her bag and focus on something on a rooftop across the street. Mark looked up, following her line of sight, trying to figure out what she was capturing. Failing to see it, he looked back at the girl, watching her twist the focus on her camera vainly. A small smile crossed his lips, recognizing a fellow artist at work. But that smile fell as several things seemed to happen at once.

Mark suddenly felt as though everything around him had slowed down. He saw the girl shifted her weight forward, one foot coming up and preparing to step off the sidewalk. He also saw the taxi out of the corner of his eye, speeding down the street to make the yellow light at the corner. And the girl was completely unaware of it, focusing solely on getting the right shot of whatever held her attention. Suddenly Mark was up and over his bike, stumbling over his feet the few steps to the photographer, grabbing her jacket and pulling her back and down in the same movement as they both fell off balance.

Somehow the shy filmmaker found himself staring down into the most beautiful set of green-brown eyes he'd ever seen. Realizing his awkward position, he rolled away from the girl and quickly shuffled to his feet, before extending a hand to his fallen comrade.

"Are you okay?" he asked, as she took his hand and he pulled her upright.

"I think so," she answered, breaking her gaze to inspect the camera in her hand. Fortunately, it had landed between them, so it seemed intact. She quickly tucked it away in her bag before lifting her gaze back to her rescuer. Tucking a long curly strand of dark red hair behind one ear, she looked sheepishly at Mark. "Thanks."

He nodded, a look of shock on his face. They both took shaky deep breaths, realization setting in of what had just happened. Mark moved past the girl, picking up his bike and making sure he hadn't damaged it in the fall. Shuffling her feet nervously, the girl tugged on the strap to her bag, watching his actions.

"I'm Talia," she blurted, almost before she meant to. Mark looked up at her, a smile starting to find its way back to his face.

"Mark," he answered. Talia smiled as he started to move off.

"Could I…buy you a drink?" she asked, stopping him in his tracks. Mark turned and looked at her, a little confused. Talia took a step towards him, gesturing and speaking a little nervously. "I don't normally do this, but…it seems like the least I can do, seeing how you kinda saved my life."

Mark found himself staring at her, unsure of how he should answer. Part of him really wanted to say yes, to take a chance and jump feet first into something new and exciting. The two just looked at each other for a moment, Talia smiling hopefully and Mark with a dazed sort of look on his face. Given their clothes, and their location, they both seemed to recognize each other of residents of Alphabet City, fellow starving artists trying to find themselves.

"I wish I could," Mark started. "But I have this thing I'm late for…" he thumbed behind him in the general location of the community center. Talia nodded and rolled her eyes sheepishly, as though she should have known that he had somewhere to be.

"Right, sure, sorry," she answered with a wave. She started to walk backwards, away from him. "Well…thanks."

Mark smiled and nodded at her, watching her turn and leave, heading back down the street. With a sigh he got back on his bike, checked the road, and peddled towards the community center. Life seemed to have a cruel way of teasing him, lately.