A/N: Here's the early update guys! I hope you all enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. And please review- I love any feedback- it helps to improve my writing :)

Chapter 3: Club D.I.S.C.O.

Lucas arrived at club D.I.S.C.O at a quarter to seven, dressed in his standard uniform, suit and tie, shades. No mask tonight, but his hair was slightly different. He leaned against a brick wall in the alleyway that lead to the club.

The streets were empty and the winter air nipped at Lucas' covered neck. The night was quiet and dark, the club itself not yet open.

Club D.I.S.C.O. was a small gray building, with the letters 'D.I.S.C.O.' spelt out in illuminated LED letter lights. The air around it smelt like alcohol and faint perfume- despite the alleyway (where one would que to enter the club) being empty.

The Texan ran a hand through his gelled hair, wondering where his partner was; but more importantly who he was.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't the best desicion to not check his partner's file- but he'd been angry at Zay for even thinking that he needed a partner. He had a right to strop and throw the dang file in the trash.

Lucas was often alone, but never lonely.

He'd just grew up that way.

When he was a child, his parents were always arguing- he was lucky if they ever even noticed they had a son.

So to get their attention he'd fought at school- took his anger out on the school bully. Said bully had ended up in the hospital.

And then when the divorce shook his world, he had transferred to New York with his mother.

Only then was when his people skills improved- thanks to Maya, Riley and Farkle. Maya had always accepted him, only learning of what he'd actually done in senior year, but even before that she'd been by his side.

He'd never actually told Riley of his past- even after she had accepted him- he was just too scared to ruin his perfect facade. He didn't dare risk their relationship- even if it had ended in mutual separation.

And then when he'd gone back to Texas and things hadn't worked out in college, he'd gotten himself a part time job as a veternerean's assistant. He then began to rent his own apartment in a different part of New York and after a while lost touch with the others as they moved on with their lives. Until Zay had moved back to New York and had offered him the job of a life time.

So yes, he liked to think he worked alone.

Lucas checked his watch, ten to seven. Typical. His partner should've been at least 15 minutes early- ten minutes early at the latest.

"What you doing here, Rick?"

Lucas jumped, he wasn't expecting to hear that voice so soon. Not that it wasn't wanted- in fact it was a pleasant surprise.

"Rose!" Lucas exclaimed and turned around. He gawked at the small girl in front of him. She was wearing a brunette wig, shades, a hoodie and some dark jeans. It was a casual cover up- but Lucas thought she looked gorgeous regardless.

"So you do remember me?" She smiled and wiggled her eyebrows, sliding her shades off of her face and into her purse.

"How could I forget such a headstrong woman who tried to kiss me a few days previous?"

Maya rolled her eyes, "So? Answer my question. What are you doing here?"

Lucas smiled, "I'm here on business."

"And I'm not?"

"You very well may be, but I have a little something to discuss with the owner of this neat little place." Lucas made sure that his words would sound as innocent as possible to any eavsdroppers. But he was indirectly telling Maya this was his mission, and he'd do it his way.

"Oh." Maya looked up at him, blue eyes sparkling with challenge, "What if someone else just so happens to snag a discussion with them first?"

Lucas relished in her teasing, he hadn't realised how much he'd actually missed her friednship- above most of the friends he lost contact with- until just recently.

"Well, ma'am," Lucas smirked and pulled down an imaginary cowboy hat, "I suppose that whoever gets there first shall win."

"You have a partner?" Maya suddenly asked.

"I don't think that's any of your business-"

"So you do. Ha, heehaw has a partner. I knew that's the only reason you'd be hanging around here, instead of simply knocking on the door like a good little cowboy."

"You have a partner too, right? Her name was...Jessica?" Lucas grinned, hoping he was gaining the upper hand.

"I do have a partner. Her name is non-of-your-concern, but I'm the one looking out for her." Maya smirked, indirectly implying that he needed to be protected.

Lucas took her hand and kissed it, making her blush and it conveniently wiped the smirk off of her face, "The lovely little lady may believe whatever she wants."

Maya tried to bite back a smile but failed, "Drop the prince charming act- we're not at the party anymore."

"I'm always charming." Lucas smirked as Maya snatched her hand away from his grasp. The lingering warmth of her tiny palm was dearly missed.

"I'll never get to you, will I?" Maya's eyes lit up once more after uttering those words.

"Nope. But I sure do appreciate the effort."

The pair then burst into laughter, laughing like they were the teens they once were. Lucas loved the fact that even though they'd been away from one another for so long, nothing had really changed. And her laugh, he'd missed that sound too.

"Gosh, I missed you." Lucas blurted and pulled Maya into a hug.

He felt the newly-brunette- freeze in his arms, reluctantly patting his back.

"Lu- uhm Rick-"

"Sorry." Lucas released her small form and she rolled her eyes playfully.

"Suppose I missed you too Huckleberry."

Huckleberry...that name was permanently engraved into his heart, he'd never admit this to Maya, but it was his favorite nickname.

It brought back mostly all of his good memories- and he loved it.

He'd missed it, more than she'd ever know.

Seeing Maya again made him realise that he'd been deprived of such a great person in his life for quite a while, but now she was here. And he didn't want to let her go anytime soon.

Romantic feelings returned or not, he wouldn't let her slip out of her grasp so easily- ever again.

Lucas was about to say something when a girl with crazy red hair collided into his side.

Giggles from both Maya and this new-comer filled the air.

"LU- UH, I MEAN RICK!"

Lucas regained his posture and looked down at the red haired girl. He recognised the doe eyes and bright smile, he had dated this girl- well woman now- for over a year after all.

"Honey!" Lucas greeted.

"Only I call her Honey!" Maya smiled.

"You remember me." Riley pulled away, "Hey Rick, I'm Jessica."

Riley stuck out her hand and Lucas shook it with a genuine smile.

"Jessica, nice to uh- meet you, again."

"Likewise." Riley then turned towards her partner, "Let's go peaches!"

"See ya around Ranger Rick!" Maya smirked and followed Riley to the front entrance of the club. Riley unzipped her purse and took out what appeared to Lucas as lipstick.

Lucas let out a small chuckle, "Girls? Hate to remind you, but you have no way of getting in and this isn't the time for a makeover-"

Lucas' words were drowned out by the sound of sizzling metal. The young man gaped at the door that had acquired a large hole, large enough for one to climb through. The metal cut out fell to the floor with a thud.

"What was that, Rick?" Riley smirked, turning to him.

Maya then gave Riley a look and the two of them performed their signature hairflip, "Stop it."

Lucas decided then and there that Riley hadn't changed a bit either. At least these two had managed to stay together.

Riley then disappeared into the hole, her bright red wig flowing behind her.

Maya turned to him and shrugged her shoulders, after doing so she too clambered into the door and pulled the metal back into place like a jigsaw puzzle.

Lucas was left astounded, but he quickly shook out of it.

He checked his watch again and growled. It was precisely seven and his partner still hadn't turned up. With a roll of his eyes the Texan let out an exasperated sigh and decided to go to the roof instead.

Friends or no friends, this was his mission, and he'd do it his way- with or without a partner.

Maya crept after Riley with one person on her mind. Lucas.

Why?

Because she desperately needed to ace this mission. She needed to cream Lucas; and redeem herself to Farkle.

Maya's competitive streak seemed to always be at its highest amongst her old friend. Probably because he always acted like he was perfect back in middle school- but then she realised his life wasn't all that blissful.

Yet the same competitiveness never left.

Maya continued her treck, trailing the newly-red- head quietly. Riley had wasted no time in deactivating the alarms as soon as they'd got in; a bonus for Lucas really.

Maya looked around, to say the room they were in was actually the dance floor it didn't seem like one. The atmosphere was eerie and the space around her was in all honesty creepy. Graffiteed brick red walls, a few tables and chairs scattered, the smell of alcohol was not missed, and over all an empty club wasn't all that exciting.

The two girls made their way up a flight of stone stairs, pressamubly leading to the owner of the club's office and whatever one would want on the top floor.

Maya thoughts drifted back to Lucas, was he still going to attempt this mission? Would he get there before them? Maybe-

"Rose?" Riley's hushed voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"Yeah?" Maya whispered.

"I found it." Riley spoke lowly and stepped aside for Maya to gawk at the door. Maya turned her head to the left- a seemingly never ending hallway continued down the first floor.

All of a sudden Maya got that dropping feeling within the pit of her stomach; this mission seemed a little too easy.

"I've got this one Jess." Maya told Riley and stepped in front of her protectively.

The smaller girl cocked her hip to the side and placed a hand on it; staring intently at the door. It was large, metal, and covered in several locks.

Maya frowned as a new idea formed within her mind. It wasn't one she was particularly fond of; but it would probably be the safest option for Riley.

Maya scratched her head and carefully pulled out one of the many bobby pins holding her wig in place. Riley looked at Maya, clearly confused as to why she had done that.

Maya handed her the pin and whispered, "Get in this door. I'll find him."

Riley nodded after squeezing her partner's hand. The artificial red head gave a thumbs up and then turned to the task at hand.

Maya smiled and hoped that she was making the right decision. The blue eyed girl made her way down the poorly lit corridor, she passed a few more doors but they weren't what she was looking for.

The young woman nearly gasped when she came to a dead end; that was the catch. But there had to be more to this club.

Maya pursed her lips and spun around, Riley was now out of view and she knew every door she had passed was not the golden ticket she was looking for. So where was the office? Where was the owner of club D.I.S.C.O?

The young girl let out a silent sigh and ran a hand through her brunette wig. Maya rolled her eyes to the ceiling but then froze. A small smile graced the woman's lips, she knew where the office was alright. Maya adjusted her hidden head gear, "Honey- I found it."

Lucas landed carefully on his feet, much like an agile cat; at least that's what he imagined himself as right now. Lucas smirked; he'd managed to get to the top floor using the roof. And all with little trouble. Lucas guessed the girls had deactivated any alarms, so he was safe as of now. Lucas waited for his eyes to adjust to the murky darkness.

The tall man soon raised an eyebrow; he was in a maze. Hallways and hallways stretched before him with few doors. To say the building was small on the outside, it seemed more like a high rise flat on the inside. Plus it kind of had an eerie vibe.

Lucas shivered slightly at the cold that surrounded him, the only source of light coming from the moonlight shining through the tile Lucas had broke through. The young man wondered briefly where the girls were or if they even knew that this was in fact the top floor.

All he knew was that he had to complete this mission alone; if it meant creaming Maya along the way- well he'd be more than alright with it. She'd be totally impressed with his skills anyway.

Lucas carried on through the darkness, turning here and there and squinting along the way.

Until the hairs on his neck stood up.

Lucas stopped and leaned against a narrow wall.

His eyes landed on a large shadow. This was most likely the owner right? It had to be. This mission would be quick and easy. Lucas furrowed his brows and crept towards the dark shadow; ready for a fight.

But the next thing he knew he was tackled to the floor by the strange figure.

Lucas easily reversed their positions but was punched in the face by his opposer, and thus fell ontop of the person who had tackled him. They gave a pretty mean punch. The Texan quickly recovered and pinned down his opposer's hands to the cold stone floor. Lucas struggled to keep the person down, they were fighting tooth and nail.

"Give it up already." Lucas desperately told them. His words seemed to silence the person just beneath him.

"Get off of me!" Lucas himself froze and squinted. He'd recognise her voice anywhere.

"Well, what if I don't want to?" Lucas smirked, clearly not flustered by their positions.

"Ew! You're dripping blood on me! Move it, now, Hopalong!" That was enough to make Lucas blush, he quickly got off of Maya. The blue eyed woman scrambled to her feet.

"Well I wouldn't be dripping blood if you hadn't puched me!" Lucas defended himself and wiped his nose with the cuff of his sleeve.

Maya rolled her eyes at his behaviour, "You deserved it for scaring me and hiding next to the wall!"

"Who was the one who tackled me?!"

"Will you keep your dang voice down?!" Maya hissed, dropping her voice low and glaring. Lucas caught the glint within her blue eyes, but she quickly looked away and disappeared back into the darkness of the hallway.

"Sorry!" Lucas hissed back, not exactly angry with her. In fact he enjoyed their petty arguments. He enjoyed the way her left eyebrow would twitch specifically when she argued with him.

And he marvelled at the way she gave him that glare but could never hold it too long because she never meant any of her threats or words.

He missed the way her cheeks would flare in anger.

He missed it all.

The young man followed the small but very, very strong, girl. Both silently agreeing to...well... work together? Eh, something like that. Maya didn't exactly tell him to get lost and he sure didn't mind spending more time with her.

Ten minutes later the two newly reunited friends found themselves in the centre of the maze, a small square door in front of them.

This was it; this was most likely the owner's office.

Maya looked to Lucas and smirked, "I have an idea. But you have to trust me with this one."

"Trust you? You?" Lucas teased.

Maya rolled her eyes and slapped his chest, trailing her fingers to his shirt's collar. She pulled at his tie until she could see the glint within his eyes. It was still dark after all.

"Is this going to be a usual thing? You trying to kiss me?" Lucas teased.

"I don't want to kiss you," Maya told him and the dark hid his frown, "I want you...to trust me."

Lucas' heart melted a little as she batted her eyelashes at him, he really wished she didn't have this affect on him because every cell in his body was protesting.

"May- uh Rose-"

"You trust me, don't you Rick?" Maya bit her lip and placed her hands on his shoulders instead, their eyes still level.

Lucas let out a shaky breath, "Y-yes."

"Good." Maya removed her hands from Lucas and smiled, "I want you... to come in when I call you."

"R-rose."

"Trust me."

And with that Lucas watched Maya try the door knob and smile; it was open.

Lucas' stomach dropped- when a door was open it usually meant danger was nearby. Maya gave him a thumbs up with a cute wink. He closed the door slowly behind her and stood at it; much like a guard.

Lucas smiled, he was glad that he could work with one of his dearest friends rather than against them.

"Might wanna wipe that smile off your face, agent Friar."

Lucas whipped his head towards the new voice. The Texan locked eyes with a figure about his size.

"How about you stop breaking into my club and let me get to the girl?"

The voice was clipped, cold and demanding.

With that Lucas wasted no time in initiating a fight, he'd protect Maya no matter what.

He lunged forward with the strength of a bull.

"Honey, I'm in. Remind me what we're looking for." Maya whispered through her head piece. Unlike last mission, this time only Riley was on the other end.

"Black filing cabinet. Pull out a binder labelled sin. It should be full of what we need."

"Right, thanks, are you okay?"

"Yes, I have what we need, I'm waiting on the roof."

"Right. Should see you in five."

Maya pulled a piece of brown hair out of her face and walked towards the black filling cabinet. She shifted through binders and loose paper work, looking for that one document.

She quickly pulled it out and let a smile grace her lips. She turned over the black binder labelled sin and ran her hand over the smooth cover. Maya briefly wondered why someone would make this document so explicit. Something labelled with that title was sure to make anyone want to see what was in it. Either the person who owned this place was dumb or they were really smart; there had to be an intelligent reason behind this.

Now thinking about it; the binder seemed unusually feather light. She knew she wasn't supposed to open it yet; at least wait until she was with Riley; but curiosity had always been a habit of hers.

She was just about to open the folder when she heard a large thud from outside.

Maya spun around and ran to the door. She tried the handle but it was looked. Ice cold panic ran through her veins.

That thud must've been Lucas...and now the door was locked.

She took in a shaky breath and shoved the binder down her hoodie, keeping it safe.

"Well I guess I have no choice..." Maya mumbled, backing away from the door. She furrowed her eyebrows and ran at the door. It didn't budge, much to her suprise, she thought she was pretty stong- and was left with a cursing pain running up through her arm.

Mentally cursing she ran through her mind; trying to figure out how to open the door. Riley was the most equipped- clearly Maya had underestimated what and who they were up against.

She didn't have her taser, she didn't have her shock pen and she had given her laser lipstick to Riley when they'd broke in. She hadn't thought to bring more serious weapons.

The artificial brunette frowned once more and pressed the side of her head gear, "Honey, you need to go, now."

"Rose? Are you okay-?"

"No. I'm trapped. Don't worry, just get what you need to base but whatever you do, don't call back up. This person is dangerous and we can't risk-"

Suddenly the door broke down and Lucas collapsed into the room breathlessly, a malicious shadow towering over him.

Maya grit her teeth, no one touched her friends.

"Peaches? Peaches!"

"Go." Maya deamanded Riley and disconnected the gear.

"Thank you for walking into my trap. I knew the IEB would be here, but the MF too? Now that's just too much." The man who had fought Lucas was now approaching her, his shadow creeping closer to her. His voice was low, making him seem older than he probably was. He was wearing a full ski mask but Maya didn't miss the evil glare within his gray-blue eyes.

She breifly wonderend how he knew she was the MF agent, but then again, the forces' dress codes had always been plainly different. And if someone had been spying on them, they would probably be able to tell.

Maya looked to Lucas, he was trying desperately to get up but he looked pretty hurt and his shades were missing. Despite this, no matter how much she wished to tend to her Huckleberry, she had to be strong. This guy couldn't know she knew who Lucas was.

"You speak as if this is a joke. Do you know how serious your crimes have been? It's a no brainer we're both here. You need to shut down this club, and spill the beans about your boss." Maya spoke quite bluntly and confidentially, despite her slight fear. She crossed her arms and gave him a bored look as if mocking him.

"The crimes were intended." The man chuckled, Maya's words creating no emotions within him, "Now aren't you a pretty thing? Looks like I won't have to fight you, Hart."

Maya tensed, "You don't know me."

If Maya had a dollar for every time she'd told someone that she'd surely be a millionaire.

"I know all of you, thanks to the masquerade party last week. Lovely performace by the way- pity you were distracted by Friar. You seem to be pretty attached to this guy." The man smiled but it didn't meet his eyes. He kicked Lucas towards her feet.

Maya clenched her fists, "I'm taking Rick. And I'm leaving. Try to stop me and you'll be sorry."

"Try? Darlin' you're on my territory."

Maya squatted beside Lucas to help him up, she gently brushed his bloody hair out of his face and let her hand linger next to his cheek.

"Now ain't that cute? Looks like you'll be going down together."

By the time Maya realised what his words implied the reaction was long overdue, her head snapped forwards a fraction late.

All of a sudden the floor beneath their feet collapsed and the pair dropped into the sinister blackness below.

A/N: Cliffhanger! Sorry, but it was necessary. What do you think will happen next? ;)