A/N: Thanks again for the feedback and the reviews!! This scene transpired after reading one of the early Casefiles—it just has my take on it! Hope you like it. Thanks so much again. I've posted 2 more chapters today!

Make a Wish

Chapter 7

Biff Hooper honestly could not believe that he was doing this. Here he was, right in the middle of Bayport Mall, hiding in the women's dressing room of Lord and Taylor's. His cousin Shelley worked there and was able to sneak him in. Thank God that she wasn't a gossip, although he knew that she would harass him mercilessly over the next several years about this.

A 6'5" football player, Biff knew that he'd be a standout in a woman's dress and heels pretending to be trying on clothes. Mortified, Biff tried to think of something positive about the situation. He couldn't even check out other women's shopping habits or overhear their conversation, as the store was closed and it was after hours. Well, maybe now I can understand what Women Really Want, he thought dryly, thinking to the Mel Gibson movie he had recently seen. Hell, if I get half the women that guy has, I'll dress in garters every day. He laughed at the thought, and then instantly blushed at the stupidity of this whole situation.

Callie Shaw had called him out of the blue and begged him to meet her at the Mall. She hung up quickly, saying she didn't want to be tailed, and begged him that if he was ever her friend, to do this one favor for her and she would never bother him again. He decided to go for it, and he honestly couldn't say why. He was close friends with the Hardys', especially Joe, and he knew how Joe felt about Callie. There were a ton of rumors about Callie's recent behavior as well. Maybe, Biff admitted, he was just mildly curious. He would defend Frank and Joe till the end, but he had honestly always liked Callie. He thought she was good for Frank- she loosened him up a bit. Actually, Biff had always thought that Joe and Callie would make a hilarious couple, since they were both so alike, but maybe it was the theory that opposites attract that made his idea unlikely. As Biff was thinking these thoughts, he found himself inspecting the materials of his dress and his size, and thinking he might look better in lavender...

"Biff?"

He jumped. "Callie?" he questioned in a deeper voice than usual, just to assert his masculinity one more time.

"Yes. Please, can I come in?" Callie's voice was quivering.

"Ah… yeah," said Biff, opening the door and dragging her in. Biff towered over Callie by about a foot, and she was obviously startled by his appearance. "Um, trying out the new spring line?" she tried to joke, but her own attempt at joviality fell flat.

"Listen, Callie," said Biff, suddenly serious. "I'm more than a little angry at being here right now. I look a little silly", he continued, not allowing time for her to make a sarcastic comment, "and I think what you did to Frank was pretty horrible. So, tell me your story, and why I have to meet you like this, and why me, of all people, and MAYBE, just MAYBE, I'll give you a chance." He looked at Callie, and noticed that she really looked tired and miserable, and he tried to soften his expression. He felt kind of badly for her, so he added, "And then maybe we'll swap fashion tips."

Callie couldn't even smile, and now Biff was worried. They had never been especially close, and Biff didn't know how to read her.

"Biff," Callie began, "Let me get to the point. A long time ago, I know you asked Joe Hardy a favor. You asked him not to tell anybody about some weird army- training thing that you wanted to do in the South, in their case they called "Deathgame." I know you were almost killed, and so was Frank. The point is, Joe kept his mouth shut until you were in trouble, and then he and Frank helped you. Do you remember that?"

Biff was silenced. How on earth would Callie know about that?

She spoke again. "I need you to help me, Biff. I honestly do. I have nowhere to turn, and," she continued, her voice breaking, "I am so scared. Please, before I tell you, PLEASE promise me that you won't tell anyone unless you really think that something has happened. I can't tell you unless you give me your word, and I don't have much time."

Biff hesitated. Callie's desperation was really beginning to concern him. He had no reason to help her, and he thought this whole situation was ludicrous. Yet, he couldn't help but to think of how desperate he was when he had asked for Joe's help some time ago and, if Callie was telling the truth, he now felt an obligation to help her.

Biff sighed. "Ok, Callie. I give you my word. This better be worth it."

Fifteen minutes later, Biff found himself absolutely transfixed and horrified at hearing Callie's tale. He told her that she was out of her mind; that Iola had died. Even if she had lived and all of this was true, what could Callie do? He begged her to let him tell Frank and Joe, or Chet, but she refused. She made him promise that if she wasn't back in two weeks, he could ask for help.

"Biff, I have no idea where I'm going, or where Iola is, or if she's alive. But my gut instinct says that this has something to do with the Lazarus Clinic in Maine, again. Please. Just tell that to Frank or Mr. Hardy if I'm not back. If I am not there," she sighed, miserably, "then just tell Frank I love him and I'm sorry, and tell Joe to hold out hope that Iola could be alive."

With that, Callie nervously turned around, checked out her surroundings, and left. Biff tried to follow, and probably would have succeeded, had not a group of salesclerks who were cleaning the store, started laughing at him. Face red, Biff threw off his woman's clothes, which he had put on over his own, and ran to the parking lot. Cursing himself and his ability to stay true to his word, Biff looked around and saw nothing. Callie was gone.