For the next week Isabel was always with Jason. When she wasn't in school she was off with him. Max didn't like him one bit, but his parents did. That made it harder to get rid of him. Isabel was in for a fall, he could see it. Isabel walked around with a smile, her steps light. But his sister wouldn't discuss Jason with him, and got angry when he brought it up.

Classes had been boring, and he had almost dozed off in his English Lit class. He glanced over at Michael who was coming towards him. He didn't look happy, but then most of the time he was rather…well Michael. He threw his books in his locker, as Michael came up beside him.

"Maxwell, how about we give Jason a flat tire, and maybe some measles?"

Max smiled at his long time friend. "Sounds good to me, but if Isabel found out."

"Well, those things do happen, and humans do get those spots." A bright devilish smile broke out on his face. He knew that Isabel wouldn't be able to get rid of them without giving them all away, so she wouldn't be able to see him. However, his inner thoughts ran deeper, to rashes where the sun don't shine, giant pimples, and early baldness. He laughed and Max looked over at him, seeing that look.

"Michael!" he warned. "You will not do any of that. You are full of ideas that will get us both in trouble."

"Who me? I was just thinking of a movie I saw last night."

"Yeah sure, whatever."

The two walked outside, and got into Max's jeep. Pulling out of the parking lot, they looked for any sign of a certain convertible that was going to have a bit of bad luck. Spotting it in front of a florist, as they drove by Max waved his hand and a tire flattened. Michael waved and the engine overheated. Then looking back seeing Jason coming out holding roses, he motioned and saw Jason's face change, as he dropped the flowers and grabbed his hand sucking on his fingers. Seemed like the roses had very long thorns. He turned and smiled at Max, who returned it.

Isabel walked to town, her face darkened with anger. How dare he stand her up, and make her walk. She walked towards the Crashdown and went inside the cool interior. She found a table in an empty area, and sat down. She took a napkin and wiped her forehead. She was so hot.

Liz came up, seeing Isabel's red face. "Didn't Jason pick you up?"

"No, Liz can you bring me a very cold soda?"

"Sure." Liz turned and left. Michael was in the kitchen and saw her enter. He felt a bit sorry for her, seeing how she was looking. Her hair was a little damp, and her clothes a little wilted. Nevertheless, she was still beautiful, and - Hold that idea, where did that come from? He turned back to the grill, ignoring the other part of the café. He looked up as Maria hurried into the back room. She was trying to fix her hair, and get ready for work. She looked a mess, raccoon eyes, with her eye makeup clumped.

A few minutes later as Isabel was sipping her drink and feeling a bit better, the door opened and Jason walked in. Michael felt his presence and turned, frowning. Jason's eyes found his and held. There was a challenge there, daring Michael to take him up on it. Michael's eyes hardened and he sent a silent message back to the smug bastard.

Jason walked over to Isabel, and glanced at Michael again, before kissing her. He slid into the booth next to her. Michael watched as Isabel's look darkened and she was obviously letting him have it. Then a few words from him, and a rose and she calmed down and smiled. Jason gave her a hug, and then kissed her again. Michael's gaze burning into the other guys head.

Jason got up from the booth and took Isabel's hand pulled her out. Then putting his arm around her waist he led her to the door. Jason once again glanced at Michael, his look one of triumph.

Michael tore off his greasy apron and rushed through the swinging doors. He rushed past Liz and Max who was just coming in.

He ran out the door and down the street to the side parking lot. There he found the two, and rushed over. Jason turned seeing Michael, and smiled. Isabel seeing her best friend hurrying was wondering why.

"Michael, is something wrong?" asked Isable.

"Yeah, him." Jason stood there and appeared at ease but Michael could tell he was ready for the fight that he had sought. He would not let him have Isabel. As he stood facing the other guy, flashes came to him. Flashes of Isabel in Jason's arms in his bed. Michael was beside him with anger, as he attacked Jason, who smiled and fought back.

Isabel stood there, watching the two throw punches at each other. Bothing giving as good as they got. "Michael! Jason! Stop!" But they ignored her as the two bulls rushed each other.

Max had come out, and followed he came up as Isabel yelled. Max rushed upto the two young men and tried to separate them, and got hit. He in turn punched Jason in the jaw. Isabel moved closer trying to get the boys to stop. She got between Michael and Jason and they pulled back.

She turned to Michael. "What is the matter with you? Are you crazy?"

He wiped at his lip as he looked at Jason's face with the damage done by his fist, he wanted to do more. "Isabel, you wouldn't understand…. He's… I don't want you with him."

"Oh you don't? Why? You have someone already, why can't I? You aren't my brother, or father." She turned her back on him and taking Jason's arm led him to her car.

"No, I am more." He said softly as Max stood by him. "Isabel."

"What is going on Michael? Why did you attack him?"

"He challenged me Max, when he came in the diner, I saw it clearly in his eyes. Then just before all hell broke loose I saw flashes of him and Isabel -

"You mean?"

"Yeah, it made me mad."

"Time to figure out a way to get rid of him, agree?"

"Yeah Maxwell. Tonight."

They watched Isabel drive off.

Michael woke to the ringing of his phone. He reached for it as he glanced at the clock, one a.m. It had better be important.

"Hello." His voice sluggish, and his eyes closed again.

"Michael, Isabel didn't come home."

Completed wide awake and alert now, Michael jumped from bed and grabbed his pants. "What? Where is she?"

"I don't know, she never came back. But I think we can guess who she is with."

"Jason! I will kill him."

"I'll come by and pick you up in five minutes, I am almost there now."

"All right." Michael hung up and finished getting dressed.

The two looked all night, and by sunup they have found nothing. No sign of either of them. The house was empty, and no one had seen them since that afternoon. Both were tired, and worried. They sat in the jeep out in the desert watching the sunrize wondering what to do next. Where was she? Where was Isabel?