The cafeteria was almost empty when Max finally shows up, almost slipping on the wet slush from the floor. His heart was pounding mixed with excitment and nervousness, as he searches for Talia's whereabouts. He sees her sitting in the front table near the stage. She was waiting there as if she wanted to be somewhere else. Max rushed toward her with a very nervous grin, when Talia turns to see him she gives him a weird look.

"Max..." said Talia. "Um...hi."

"I'm so glad we agreed to meet," said Max. "There's a lot to that we need talk about."

"We do?" asked Talia, bewilderedly.

"Yeah," said Max. "We texted each other less than ten minutes ago, remember?

"I texted you?" asked Talia, before she slowly realized what happened. "Oh!...Well, this is certainly awkward."

"Well, if you put it that way," said Max. "Look, Talia I really appreciate that you took the time to reach out to me-."

"Ah, Max," Talia tries to say. "About that reaching out-."

"Just hear me out please," Max cuts her off.

He paces around nervously before speaking, Talia gaves him a concern look.

"I know that we keep getting back together, and breaking up a bunch of times," Max goes on. "I really miss you a lot you know."

Talia slowly nodds at him.

"And you were very special to me and I know you feel the same way," said Max. "And I knew that I was going to love you when I first laid my eyes on you, in all."

Talia sighed and gave him the look. Max stares back, which he is thrown off by the expression.

"And why are you staring at me like that?" asked Max, when she tried to explain again, which was a failure. "Never mind about that, the point is that I loved you and we made a great couple, and we would always have love for one another."

"Okay," said Talia.

"But we can already see that this isn't working out for us," stated Max passionately. "So, that's why I decided to come to you just so that I can be honest. I think it's time for both of us to move on."

There was brief silence before Talia turns to Max with a big smile.

"Okay," Talia said again.

Max all of a sudden looks like he got caught off guard.

"Okay?" asked Max. "You're okay with all of this?

"Of course," said Talia cheerfully. "I understand."

"Wow, that was quick," said Max. "I mean I...um expected you to be like, you know upset."

"Well, Max things like this happens all the time," said Talia, trying to make things less awkward. "But, it's for the best right?"

"Yeah...I guess so," said Max.

"Um, am I interrupting something right now."

Max and Talia turns around to see Max Preston staring at them with a bewildered expression. Talia laughs as she goes over to him.

"Hey babe," said Talia as they both hug and kiss each other on the lips. Max's jaw drops to the floor. "It's nothing at all, me and Max were just unexpectedly catching up."

"Hey wassup man," said Max Preston as he goes up to shake his hand. "How's it hanging."

"Well," Max goes on awkwardly. "I was just...you know, um hanging around."

Max laughs nervously as both Talia and Max Preston chuckles.

"So, I see that you two are officially dating," said Max, trying not to have a look of disbelief.

"Yep, we sure are," said Max Preston, proudly. "Two months, and thirteen days, and we are stronger than ever."

"Wow...that's great," said Max, trying to sound surprised. "I'm...really happy for you both.

Both Talia and Max Preston smile as they hug each other side to side.

"I was trying to tell you earlier that those text messages were not for you," said Talia. "They were for him, the other Max."

Max instantly wanted to melt into the floor or have it swallow him whole.

"I always have to remind her to properly label the caller ID's," said Max Preston. "But as always, she forgets."

"Oh, rub it in why don't you," said Talia, as she then turns to Max. "So, no hard feelings...right?"

"Yeah," said Max. "Water under the bridge."

"Definitely," said Talia confidently. "Um, so have you two met."

"Oh, of course," said Max Preston. "We are on that park comittee together."

"Wow, that's nice," said Talia, with her eyes lighting up. "Maybe the two of you can actually be friends."

"Yeah," said Max Preston. "I'm sure that it's cool with us to hang even I'm dating your former first girl. But it's up to you bro, I know to some people it might be a little weird and everything."

"Yeah, it's fine," said Max, trying to find a way out of this situation.

"But you are sure about this right?" Max Preston verifies.

"Yeah, of course," said Max, with a fake smile. "It's all fine with me."

"Aww, thanks bro," said Max Preston, as he bumps fists with him. "You're really are cool."

"Yeah, that's what everyone says," said Max, with sarcasm through his smile. "Well, it's getting kind of late and I have a very busy day tomorrow so I'm gonna let you guys go."

"Alright later bro," said Max Preston, with a smile that made Max's stomach turns.

"See you around Max," said Talia, as she hugs Max Preston.

Max then quickly turns the other way and scooted his way out of the cafeteria.

Back at the cabin Ruben was reading a magazine and was drinking his hot coca when Collin came in through the door with a cheeky smile on his face.

"Isn't it a beautiful night?" asked Collin, rhetorically with a happy sigh.

"It sure is," said Ruben, giving Collin a quick glance. "But I see that you've been enjoying it more."

"I have," said Collin. "Suzie and I just sat outside in the courtyard gazing at the stars holding each others hands making wishes."

"That's nice," said Ruben. "Do you wish big, like you said you was going to do."

"A nice perfect big wedding, a mansion with a white picked fence, and have lots of children. Now that's a good size wish."

"Sounds like three to me," said Ruben. "But there are possibilities."

"I just feel like the luckiest person in the world," said Collin, with a big smile on his face. "I just can't imagine my life without my Susie."

"Amen to that," said Ruben. "My favorite moment is when Keisha and I would talk on the phone for hours talking about every little thing whether it's shopping at the mall, or the NFL Playoffs."

"I see," said Collin, with a curious expression.

"And then I had to work a billion hours at the barbershop because I would run up my mom's phone bill," Ruben said with a chuckle.

"Man, I keep telling you to get off your mother's plan and switch to boost mobile," said Collin. "I mean why pay millions when all you put down is 30?"

"Yeah, but the quality of those phones are worth $30," said Ruben, with sarcasm. "Anyways none of those things that Keisha and I talk about compares to saying to each other that 'I love you.' And you know what's funny? Some people wait for years to tell people that they love those three words."

"I wonder why that is?" Collin ask.

"Pride," said Ruben, confidently.

Max comes through the door with a serious look on his face. Both Ruben and Collin stare at him as he takes his gloves off and almost slams them on the counter.

"So, the date didn't turn out the way you hoped?" Ruben asked slowly.

"Why are women so complicated?" asked Max, in a frustrated tone.

"I thought you and Gilda hit it off great," said Collin, with concern.

"No dude, it's Talia!" said Max, frowning. "it's always Talia!"

"Wait a second bro," said Ruben, getting a closer seat close to the kitchen counter. "What happened?"

"I went to see her, right after I dropped Gilda off at the cabins," said Max, clearly. "All I wanted to do was to end things and move on with our lives."

"Yeah, and that's what you did right?" asked Collin.

"Yes I did," said Max. "I said what I wanted to say, and she understood."

"Okay," said Ruben. "So, what's the problem?"

"The problem is that this chick beated me to the punch," exclaimed Max.

"What?" asked Ruben.

"I thought her and I were on the same page," said Max. "And get this, not only that she moved on, she has been dating this guy for the past two months."

"Woa, what do you mean she's dating this guy?" asked Collin, with his eyes wide open.

"I'm just as short sided as you," said Max. "And get this! His name is Max."

"Max?!" Ruben and Collin exclaimed at the same time.

"Max Preston," said Max, with a fake smile. "And she hopes that one day we can all be friends."

"No, that's terrible," said Collin, out loud. "You shouldn't even accept her offer."

"Ah, ya think," said Max. "Oh, I wish I was twenty-one right now. A glass of chardonnay would get me completely buzzed."

"You had chardonnay before?" asked Ruben curiously.

"No, but I seen people drink it on T.V." said Max.

"I still don't think that it's a big deal," said Ruben, in unison. "I mean it's verified that it's over between you two, so that means that she accepts it she's moved on. Don't you think that you should do the same by you know dusting off your price tag and put yourself back on the market."

"It's just so hard," said Max. "Maybe a part of me wanted her to miss me you know and try and work it out. But I know that choice would never come."

"Well, at least you're coming to terms with the reality," said Collin. "I mean they are other women in the sea. I mean look at how much time you have spent with Gilda, and everytime you are around her, you seem more happy."

"Yeah, she is a really cool person," said Max, with a glowing smile. "And a really beautiful girl."

"So, did you two had fun on your little date tonight?" asked Ruben, curiously as Max blushes.

"Well, I wouldn't call it a date," said Max, with a shy chuckle. "It's just some friendly 1-on-1 time at a local typical ice cream parlor that is 30% better than Coldstone."

"Something tells me that you guys did more than hang out," said Collin.

"Oh, stop!" said Max. "it's not a big deal anyways. Nothing happened."

"Well, if you say so," said Ruben.

Max then gets up and purs himself some coffee and sat back at the table with the others. He then paused when he took a sip from his cup.

"We kissed," said Max, with a brief smile.

"Say what now?" asked Ruben, as he was caught off guard.

"See, I told you he would crack sooner or later," said Collin out loud. "What did you do? Shoot her with a valentines arrow or something?"

"It just came out of nowhere," said Max. "All I did was wipe the ice cream off of her chin."

"You know, she could have done that herself," said Ruben with a smile.

"Yeah, I know," said Max. "But I really want to. I was trying to be a gentleman. You know?

Both Ruben and Collin exchange looks with each other, which Max frowns a little.

"What?" asked Max. "I see people do it all the time, especially the couple that eat at the Substation."

"Are you hearing what you are saying?" said Collin. "You just said that all couples do it. So that means you want to be with Gilda."

"I don't even know if that is true," said Max, with a shrugg. "Besides we already talked about what happened...and we decided to be friends. There no bouncing back from that, it's too late. It's already done."

"My dude," said Ruben, with a smile. "Let me tell you something about girls. It ain't too late for them. Eventually the attraction would be too much for them to bare that in their weakness, they would eventually change their minds with the snap of the fingers and cling on you like crazy. And I think that's going to happen sooner or later between you two, and I have a feeling that something good is going to come out of it."

"Yeah, but I don't think that Gilda is that weak of a person," said Max. "I believe that she's a type of person that can take care of herself."

"Oh, so you like a woman that is independent?" Ruben asked rhetorically.

"Yes, I kind of do," said Max.

Max pauses for a second and stares at the ceiling as if he was thinking about something. Then he looks back at Ruben.

"I don't know y'all," he admitted. "Maybe Gilda and I have more chemistry than we thought."

"Dude, you better get with her then," said Collin. "You know you have feelings for her, besides the two of you look great together."

"Couldn't agree more," said Ruben. "Who knows, maybe you will marry this chick someday."

"Hey, lets not get ahead of ourselves now," said Max, with a chuckle. "I don't even know if she likes me the same way to even start a relationship, I mean I know we kissed once but...I don't know."

"Well, I guess the only way is to just see where the friendship goes," said Collin. "You know, maybe start slow."

"Yeah, you're probably right," said Max. "Looks like the relationship department doesn't look as good as I thought."

"Aww, no worries dude," said Collin, with confidence. "It will get better someday, than all of this would be a distant memory."

Max let out a sigh as he sits back in his chair.

"Oh, that reminds me," Collin goes on. "Susie and I are going ice fishing in the morning."

"Ice fishing?" asked Ruben, curiously.

"Yeah," said Collin. "I promised her I'd take her. She loves doing those type of things."

"Correction, all white folks enjoy those type of things," joked Ruben.

"And I have to find an outfit that is suitable for the occasion," said Collin. "I don't want to go out there looking tacky."

"Well, you can always dress in a mini skirt and wear a pair of stilettos," said Max.

"Very funny," said Collin. "But seriously, I need to find something. Especially when it comes to warm clothing. Maybe I'll check the twenty four hour thrift store."

Then he quickly exits witha blink of an eye. Max shakes his head as he gave a look to Ruben. Ruben then puts his magazine aside and focuses on Max.

"Hey man, I need to touch base with you about something," Ruben said.

"Ah, I see that Talia's got you in the web of tricks," scoffs Max. "How ironic."

"Ah, no!" said Ruben, in unison and changing the subject. "I'm talking about the Richard Lechmere case."

"Oh?" Max said as he pays close attention to the conversation. "So, you found some more detailed clues?"

"I saw him lurking around the resort today," Ruben stated. "Which only means one thing, there is much more to this incident than we thought."

"Yeah, I figured that," said Max. "When I went to visit Paul today, to tell him what's really going on. He told me not to go further into the case. Why? Because, he claims that I got it all wrong."

"Really?" asked Ruben, with one eyebrow raised.

"Yeah," said Max. "I thought it was just some love affair or a love triangle between Paul, Megan, and Rosie, which is the suspect girlfiend or...wife supposively. But, I was wrong."

"But it looks like to me, that he's still hiding something," said Ruben. "Because ain't no guy gonna come all the way out here in the middle of nowhere to try and gun down another man for no reason."

"True," said Max.

"And that means that for some particular reason that Paul still knows the shooter," said Ruben, confidently.

"Yeah, but that means that we're back to square one," said Max. "We still don't know what the deal is between those two that led to the things that happened."

"Yeah, and that's why we are going to find out," said Ruben, with a sneaky smile.

"Really?" asked Max. "How? This guy is really unpredictable, we don't even know when he's going to come around, and the Sherrif said that he was going to take care of it."

"Boy please," scoffs Ruben. "If we wait on him, nothing will get solved."

Max just shrugged and sat back in his chair.

"So," Ruben goes on. "The place that he hangs out the most is the snowboarding drifts. It looks like he really likes the competition of the sport."

"Okay," said Max. "That's interesting for him."

"Yeah, that's why I want you to compete in the competition tomorrow."

"What?" asked Max, caught off guard.

"It's the only way I can think of for us to catch this guy," said Ruben. "Besides, knowing you. You would find a way to take this guy down."

"But, there's one problem," said Max, sitting up quickly. "I don't know how to snowboard! I will totally embarass myself."

"Ah hello!" said Ruben. "You're a Russo, don't you have some pixy dust laying around."

He was preferring to Max's former wizard powers.

"You know I don't do that stuff anymore," said Max, with a sigh.

"Ah, come on man," said Ruben. "This is like an emergency. Can't you go to that wizard council that you guys have?"

Max pauses before he answers he looks up at the ceiling.

"Is something wrong?" asked Ruben. "Did I hit a nerve or-."

"No," Max said quickly. "It's...just that it's no longer part of my life, at least most of it."

"I see," said Ruben, with a questionable expression.

"Yeah," said Max. "I realized that you don't have to have magical powers to define who you are as a person. It's only a crutch."

Max could tell that Ruben understands the situation.

"I'm finally going to leave it to Alex and Justin," said Max, confident.

"Well, good for you," said Ruben, with hesitation.

"But, I know what you're thinking," said Max with a smile. "is this dude crazy for giving all of that up? Yes. But it will get better."

"You seemed determined of that," said Ruben. "And, I guess I have to respect that."

"Yeah," said Max. "But I will consider on taking your offer in competing in the snowboarding drift."

"Well, I guess we are doing this the natural way huh?" asked Ruben rhetorically.

"Hey," said Max, with confidence. "We solved one incident as a team without hardly using magic, and maybe it would be the same for this one."

"Well, you know that I'm in," said Ruben. "I'm all for justice 24/7."

"Absolutely," said Max.

And then the two good friends bump fists.