Yes, I'm back and I thank those who have PM'd me to make sure the story was on the go. Work has become a hard task master to juggle at the moment, however I should be back on track. This is a little piece while I put the touches on the next chapter. Thank you for sticking with it, so enjoy..

Curtis, Riley and Maya walked to the waiting Mercedes. The driver opened the door as Maya approached, a smile on his face.

"Robby, this is Doctor Hunter and Miss Matthews," said Curtis as he approached with the two women.

"Yes sir," he replied as he nodded to Maya.

"Pleasure to meet you Doctor."

Maya smiled as she entered the vehicle, Robby closing the door as she sat. Curtis held the door open for Riley as she too climbed in. With both women on board the men entered the vehicle also and left the car park efficiently. Curtis turned around to the two women in the back seat.

"Riley, when we arrive at the Resort, I'll take you into the suite where your camera operator is setting up and Shelby will be waiting for you also, so you can start your interview with Farkle."

Riley nodded her understanding, winking at Maya in the process.

"And Maya…"

Maya turned to look at Curtis.

"Robby here will take you inside to one of the bistro bars. Order whatever you like and place it on my hotel account. Robby will clear it with the concierge, and he will be with you also. Once the interview is sorted and we've tagged teamed Farkle, I'll radio Robby and he'll bring you up."

Maya looked at Curtis then at Robby, noticing a small ear piece in his left ear before looking at Curtis again.

"It's all very cloak and dagger, isn't it?" she asked, a bit concerned. Curtis smiled and looked at Robby before Robby spoke.

"Not compared to what we used to do, Doctor," he smiled as he navigated the windy road to the resort. Curtis smiled at the comment as he too reinserted a similar earpiece into his left ear, the cord trailing from the top of his jacket.

"Robby was one of my sergeants back in the old days. We've been through a fair bit and I trust him impeccably. He is also Farkle's driver and sworn to secrecy."

Maya shook her head and laughed a nervous laugh.

"Poor Farkle doesn't have a chance, does he?" she commented. Riley smiled at the comment and looked at Curtis who was smiling as well. Robby spoke up as they entered the resort complex.

"Farkle Minkus is a great man, especially for someone at a relatively young age Doctor Hunter. He's inspired loyalty in us, and in his staff. We'll all do whatever it takes to see him happy."

Curtis spoke to finish the sentence.

"Whatever it takes," he agreed as the vehicle pulled up at the entrance foyer. Riley and Maya smiled at the conviction of the two men in front of them.

As the four disembarked from the vehicle, the men closed the doors of the vehicle and moved to the front of the vehicle. Curtis spoke into his cuff microphone.

"Two-one, Two-two."

He waited a moment before he replied.

"On site, bringing Matthews to you."

He held his hand, directing them towards the grand entrance with a smile.

"This way Miss Matthews, Mister Minkus is expecting us."

Riley smiled at Maya and gave her a knowing look, as she walked towards the entrance with Curtis. Robby looked at Maya, starting his own part of the plan.

"Doctor Hunter, if you will follow me, I will take you to the bistro and If I may, we shall lunch."

Maya smiled at the man, his pleasant nature was infectious.

"Please call me Maya, and lead the way," she replied and for the first time in a long time, wore a genuine smile on her face.

Riley and Curtis entered the elevator that would lead them to the fourth floor and the Ritz Carlton suite where Farkle was staying. Curtis swiped his card in silence before the elevator slowly rose upward. Riley's mind was racing, her only outlet to ease her thoughts was the wringing of her hands. She wasn't sure how she was going to encroach the conversation of Maya, him, the mutual anxiety it was causing both of them without the other knowing and the fact that Maya was here at the same resort.

The elevator stopped its ascent, emitting a soft beep announcing to those inside that they had arrived at their destination.

And for some, so had their destiny.

Curtis turned slightly, held his arm out showing the way and smiled at Riley before he spoke quietly.

"Ready?"

Riley turned and smiled at the older man, his calmness giving Riley a surge that she needed.

"Definitely." Riley smoothed her skirt one more time and exited, Curtis falling in step behind her. As they entered the apartment, Riley noticed Farkle's PR manager, Shelby Connor near an expansive floor to ceiling window as Riley's camera operator Michelle was double checking her equipment that had been set up on the suite's balcony. Two simple c-shaped leather chairs sat facing towards each other but at a slight angle facing slightly towards the two cameras that were being used for the interview. A small microphone was deployed discreetly in between the chairs on a drinks table, a pitcher of water and two tall glasses nearby. Michelle had done an outstanding job. Shelby noticed the duo exit the lift and smiled at them in recognition. Michelle also noticed Riley's arrival and smiled with a beaming smile and thumbs up; Riley returning the infectious smile. Shelby approached and extended her hand.

"Hello Riley, good to see you again," she spoke as she approached, giving a quick wink of acknowledgement to Curtis.

"I shall leave you ladies be, and check in with Mister Minkus," nodded Curtis as he walked to a closed door, knocking discretely prior to entering. Riley watched the door close before she turned her attention to Shelby.

"And you too Shelby. We will be able to conduct a good interview today." Shelby turned and looked outside as Michelle walked in off the balcony, with a small device in her hands.

"I'm sure we will. What I am looking for is for the human side of Mister Minkus to come through and his passion in regards to developing this ground-breaking device," she paused to choose her words before she continued. Michelle had started to install a small microphone onto Riley's collar, placing the pack on Riley's belt, inside her light jacket as Shelby held Riley's gaze to continue.

"You and I both know what Farkle has sacrificed to do this, you even more so as one of his oldest friends. I want that on the record for him, and with what this new technology will achieve, he will go down as one of the greats in the field."

Curtis entered Farkle's room, closing the door quietly behind him. Farkle was sitting at the small desk in his room, working on his laptop. Sometimes it seemed that everyone wanted a piece of the young man, which was a part and parcel of the business he was in.

A break would be nice sometimes thought, thought Curtis.

"Miss Matthews is here, Farkle."

Farkle nodded as he finished his sentence, saved and closed the laptop.

"How is she?"

Curtis shrugged in a non-committal manner.

"She seems fine, albeit this is the first time that I met her. She is however, eager to see you again."

With the mention of those simple words, Farkle let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding in. He ran his hand through his hair as he looked outside to the wooded landscape and Lake Tahoe itself.

"Thank god," he said before he continued.

"We were all so close, and she has been my oldest, dearest friend. But this project…" his voice trailed off before he drew breath to continue.

"…this project.. Well, you know what it's been like." Curtis nodded in silence as he handed Farkle a glass of chilled water, before he spoke.

"Well I may, Farkle." Curtis paused for effect as Farkle drank the offered water.

"I think that you'll find that not a lot has changed and she is eager to see you and help in any way she can."

Farkle looked at his assistant's body language and honest demeanor, before he smiled and set the glass down.

"Then let's go."