A/N

Inspired by all those I've talked to on Fanfiction. Here's to you!

Chapter 1

Maria scrambled to accept calls and file papers. At twenty-five, she didn't expect to be half running a small company. Liz, her intern, peered in. Maria, still on the phone, waved her away. Liz rolled her eyes, disappearing. Maria sighed, the phone call finally ending. She finished shifting her papers into a semi-neat pile. Liz returned with some coffee. Maria groaned, leaning back in her chair.

"Rough day?" Liz smiled.

"When my dad gave me this job, I really didn't expect to get so…" Maria sighed.

"Overwhelmed?" offered Liz, setting the coffee down.

"What would I do without you?" smiled Maria, taking one of the two coffee mugs.

"Go insane," mocked Liz, taking the last coffee mug.

Maria took a sip on the coffee. It was still really hot. Liz moved around the cluttered office. There was an open window on the right wall from the door. The desk sat straight in front, surrounded by two full trashcans. Four filing cabinets sat on the left wall, one of the drawers open. The floor was a dull maroon color. The walls were decorated with old photos of Maria's father, old clients, old locations and one photo, in the far right corner beside the window, of a young girl going into the eighth grade with her two best friends.

"Anything new about them?" Liz asked, pointing to the photo.

"Nothing. I told you before, they stopped messaging me five years ago," answered Maria, taking another sip of coffee.

"If you could guess," smiled Liz, looking back, "where do you think they could be?"

"I don't have a clue," laughed Maria. "Maybe, Toni made it into fashion…or some kind of artist job. She was always good at drawing."

"And Ian?" Liz mumbled, looking over the window.

"That slacker," chuckled Maria, looking over at the photo. "Maybe still in high school. Maybe made a sport career."

"Ever think military?"

Maria paused, sitting up. Liz was still looking out the window, awaiting an answer. Truth was, Maria had never thought of future careers for her old friends. That's how she remembered them, young and carefree with the future too far away. Thinking either of them had entered the military made her worried. Maria looked away.

"No," sighed Maria, standing up.

There was a knock on the door. Liz sat her coffee down, moving out of the office. Maria moved to the vacant window. She leaned on it gently. Meanwhile, Liz moved to the front of the small building. Few people came to the building, but there was still a small waiting room. The door was closed, but the faded shadow of the figure stood in the window. Liz sighed, opening the door.

"Sorry, we're busy right now and above all you need…" Liz stopped, looking up at the guest.

It was a man of at least twenty-five years of age. He had sharp black hair and tan skin. His eyes were hypnotic, a dark shade of blue with a shimmer of amber. He gave a slightly twisted smile, pushing himself in. He wore a black leather jacket over a dark purple shirt. His jeans were tight, fitting to the body perfectly. He raised a gloved hand, waving off Liz. She frowned.

"You need an appointment, sir!" snarled Liz.

"I'm an…old friend," he smiled.

"Sir! You need an appointment!" repeated Liz.

The man frowned, turning around to face Liz. She held her ground. He smiled again, moving toward her. She stumbled back. He pinned her near the wall, placing one arm right above her and the other by his side. He looked at her, first her attire-a form fitting pink T-shirt with short jeans-then her hair-short hazelnut brown-and ending with her eyes-a faded hazel. His smile twisted slightly.

"You wear perfume?" he asked.

"Why do you ask?" she snapped.

"Because you reek of Autobot," he replied.

"Liz, who was at the door?"

The man turned, freeing Liz. She moved away again. Maria entered the room, holding her mug lightly. It was half full. Liz attempted to push the man out the still open door. He gripped the doorway, chuckling. Maria looked up, seeing Liz trying to kick the man out. She dropped her mug.

"Ian?" she gasped.

"Maria!" cheered Ian, slipping around Liz.

"How…when…why?" stuttered Maria, forcefully accepting a large hug from her old friend.

"It's been what? Nine years?" he laughed. "You've got quite the look now!"

Maria blushed. She wore a sweatshirt, torn on one sleeve, and ripped at the knees blue jeans. Her hair was scraggly. Ian smiled warmly, continuing his march through the building. Liz frowned, pulling Maria over toward her.

"He shouldn't be here without an appointment," growled Liz. "Even if he's an old friend."

"I know, I know," whispered Maria. "Ian?"

Ian peeped his head out of her office. Maria couldn't help but see her old friend from eighth grade. The slacker who couldn't pass a math test to save his life or who always argued with…Maria sighed, turning away. The memories hurt sometimes, especially after all these years of being alone.

"Come out of my office, please," murmured Maria, motioning to the waiting room.

"Sure thing," smiled Ian, marching back into the room.

"Where…have you been all this time," asked Maria.

"Working," nodded Ian, looking at the sloppy blue paint.

"Have you…talked to Toni?" whispered Maria.

"Whitney?" hummed Ian, scratching his chin. "Can't say I've had a good conversation with her in a while."

"Why are you here?" snapped Liz.

"Yes, why are you here?" mumbled Maria.

"Maria, can we talk in private," Ian whispered, pulling Maria into the office.

"Um…sure," replied Maria as Ian closed the door.

"You remember…the gems, you gave Whitney and I that last day?" Ian hummed.

"Of course," nodded Maria.

"I've learned some…interesting facts about them," he smiled, looking over at her. "But, all three are needed. Do you still have yours?"

"Yeah," whispered Maria. "I keep it in a safe box."

"How about you bring it over tomorrow? We'll talk more at my…jet say around ten," snickered Ian, opening the door again.

Liz bolted in, quickly finding her spot beside Maria. Ian rolled his eyes, looking toward the opened door. He gave a light smile, waving a hand. He left without another word. Maria felt a chill enter the room as he left. Liz sighed.

"You okay?" she offered.

"Fine. Ian's an old friend, remember," mumbled Maria, rubbing the back of her head.

"Whatever you say," sighed Liz, moving toward the door. "I've got to go."

"I'll…see you off," nodded Maria, following Liz.

The office building was a child's clubhouse compared to the tall buildings surrounding it. There was a small parking lot, with a total of eight open spots and two spots already filed. Liz marched up to her motorbike, placing her helmet on. She sat, revving the engine. Maria smiled. Liz looked over at her again.

"You sure you're alright?" Liz asked,

"I'm fine!" smiled Maria. "One day, though, you have to give me a ride."

"Alright," chuckled Liz, "She's one of a kind, you know, but she's real temperamental."

"See you tomorrow," waved Maria.

Liz nodded, revving the engine once more and driving off. Maria continued to wave until Liz was lost in the traffic. Afterward, she sighed. It had been a long day. She returned inside. In the meantime, Liz was driving deep into traffic. She clicked a speaker on her helmet. After waiting a while, someone picked up on the other end.

"Hello?" Liz whispered.

"LD! What up!"

"Shut up, Gus. Get me…" Liz grumbled.

"I know, I know, LP. One moment."

"Why is he so annoying," mumbled Liz, turning right sharply.

"Hello?"

"He's here and already got her," explained Liz, "He knows who I am too."

"How?"

"Said I reeked of Autobot," chuckled Liz. "Like he doesn't reek of Con."

"Enough of that. Is she still at the office?"

"Yep. I'll send you the address."