A/N: I have to say, this is my favourite chapter, so far. I thought of it while i was at work (stacking shelves in a supermarket) i call it ' inspirations from a ketchup bottle'. On a serious note, it really makes me happy to see so many fans still out there (campaigning for the movie and the like) it just makes you realise what a great show it was and how much people miss it.

Chapter 5.

Two Years Later: New York

The clerk behind the counter looked up as a young woman entered the gas station. He was glad she was a woman, his last customer had been a fat balding man, and that was 4 hours ago. 'Oh the joys of working in the middle of nowhere' he thought to himself. His attention turned back to the magazine he was reading. A sweet voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Hi."
He looked up. She had taken off the sunglasses she had been wearing and was looking him straight in the eye. His breath caught in his throat and he was so intent to stare at her that he didn't hear the bell ring at the top of the door, signalling that someone had entered the store. Nor did he notice the small sparks at the wire ends of the security cameras.
"Hi."
She smiled, relieved that he had acknowledged her presence. 'He's young,' she thought, 'this is gonna be like taking candy from a baby.' She had already noticed his keen interest in her and she started playing with the ends of her shoulder length brown hair.
"My name's Lucy."
She put out her hand, causing him to walk towards her and shake it.
"I'm Todd."
She leaned over the counter and closer to him.
"Really, 'cause your badge says that you're Fred."
His cheeks reddened. 'Oh this is great, easier than I thought.'
"I couldn't find mine so I swapped with my colleague."
"Hmm, cute."
She was very attractive, petite, but confident. He would have guessed early twenties. She had brown hair, hazel eyes and perfect teeth. Her jeans hugged her figure and her low – cut top showed off her cleavage. The knee length brown leather jacket added to the effect.
"So, uhm, can I get you something?"
"Yeah, Todd," she emphasised his name, making him even more red.
Two years of doing this type of thing had taught her some tricks.
"I'd like a packet of cigarettes please."
She had caught him staring at her chest and winked at him. She deliberately didn't name the brand of cigarettes and instead directed him playfully while looking around her for a diversion. The postcards by her right hand were perfect. When he finally picked up the cigarettes, she handed him the money. He opened the register to give her, her change.
"So, Todd, what age are you..........oh no look what I did. Oh my God I'm so sorry."
She had hit the stand of postcards causing them to scatter across the floor. Todd rushed to help her, leaving the register drawer open. A man, who had been looking at the magazines stuffed one inside his jacket and strode up to the register. He emptied the drawer without a sound and noticed a little safe under the counter; he grabbed it and went straight out the door.
"You know what Todd, you're doing such a great job, I think you can handle the rest."
"Uhm, ok."
"Thanks, you're sweet, it's been fun."
She kissed him on the cheek and walked out the door, leaving him grinning from ear to ear. He stared after her with awe and longing. He wanted to know who this mysterious woman was and he wanted to see her again.

Once she got outside she lit up one of the cigarettes. She rounded the corner and let the nicotine calm her nerves. She saw him waiting for her, leaning against the wall. He had the car keys in his hand and the look on his face told her he was pissed. When she neared him, he grabbed her by the elbow and walked her the rest of the journey.
"I can walk by myself you know Michael," she whispered furiously.
"What the hell did you think you were doing? Why the fuck did you take so long?"
"He was a kid, what was I supposed to do? And standing by the magazine rack? What, were you just waiting for him to notice you?"
"I got the money didn't I?"
"Yes, and I helped you get that money, so what's your problem?"
She opened the passenger door and climbed in. She pulled down the overhead mirror while Michael started the car. It didn't take her long to take out the coloured contact lenses and she smiled at herself when her own blue eyes stared back at her.
"My problem, Maria, is that the guy was drooling all over you and you just let him."
"Jealousy doesn't suit you Michael."
She was in the process of taking off her wig. Her blonde curly hair now fell loosely past her shoulders, and she felt as if she had been set free. She would have gotten Issy to do her hair, if they had told everyone else what they were doing. It was just something she and Michael did, it was their thing. He had gotten up in the middle of the night and said "Maria we're low on funds", and that was it, they were off. They had driven for hours out of the city, and Maria couldn't wait to get home.
"What magazine did you swipe anyway?"
"TV guide" he said while throwing it to her.
He was majorly pissed but she shrugged it off, she'd make it up to him later. They sat in silence for most of the journey until she spotted the little safe. She took it and started to fiddle with the lock.
"Hey, be careful with that."
"Sorry, I didn't know it was made of gold."
She got Michael's pen knife out of his jacket and she glanced up at him. His eyes were set firmly on the road. She began to open the lock. After a couple of minutes, it flew open and her jaw dropped when she saw what was inside.
"Holy Shit!!!!! Michael!!!!"
Her exclamation caused him to swerve the car and he was lucky that he didn't cause a pile up. He drove to the hard shoulder and parked the car. He turned off the engine, took a deep breath.
"For fuck's sake MARIA!!!......"
"There must be 5 or 6 grand in here."
"WHa....?"
He grabbed the money; it was tied together with elastic. He looked at her thoughtfully.
"Why would a little gas station, have all this money?"
"Maybe Fred was saving it for something special?? Who cares, it's ours now!!"
She looked at him hopefully.
"Well...., I don't know, we'll have to tell the others, think about it carefully."
"Michael, can you hear what you're saying?"
She gasped.
"What?"
"You're turning into Max!!"
"Get real. OK, we tell them, that we uh, went out, and uh we found $3,000 on the street...and we..."
"Michael, sweetie, uhm, that sounds just great but they are not gonna believe that we FOUND $3,000 ON THE STREET!!!"
"Ok, so we tell the truth, that we found $3,000 in the little safety box thing under the counter......"
"Hold on a minute, 3?"
"Yeah, well, we did the hard work, we deserve a little bonus."
She stared up at him and slowly a grin appeared across her face. She crawled on top of him and started kissing him in the car.
"Baby, you're a genius."
He shrugged.
"I know."
She laughed and crashed her lips onto his again.

A/N: Gotcha!! You thought Lucy was Liz, didn't ya? Didn't ya?