AN: I haven't been doing a disclaimer because I wasn't sure if you had to do one, but just in case...

Disclaimer: I do not own the 39 clues. *sniff, sniff*

Oh, and thanks for all the positive reviews and tips! :)

Well, back to the story...

Chapter 5

Amy's POV

I woke up the next morning still trying to figure out if my day yesterday had been a good one or not. I had completed my first day of internship - a plus. I think I made a good impression on Mrs. Palico - a plus. I had met a cute guy on the 35th floor - a definite plus. And then there was Ian.

The thing was, I still wasn't sure if he was a plus or a minus. If he was a minus, he could easily cross out all the positive things that had happened to me that day. But if he was a plus, he could multiply them. I decided to just put it out of my head for a while.

Already wide awake, I got up and went to my bathroom to get ready. I lived in a small, three-room apartment that I had to keep neat if I wanted to move around in it. Not that I had a problem with that - I loved having everything clean and organized. And I didn't have any problem with small spaces. I felt more comfortable in them, if anything.

After ten minutes of brushing my teeth, taking a quick shower, and washing my face, I moved on to my wardrobe. I selected a plain, white blouse and gray business pants. Critically, I surveyed myself in a mirror.

Maybe some makeup? I thought, but after a glance at my watch decided against it. Grabbing my purse and cell phone I rushed out of my front door and stepped lightly onto the sidewalk.

It took a few minutes of signaling and utmost frustration on my part, but soon a taxi cab pulled up. Getting in, I managed to bang my head on the top of the car, only worsening my mood. After giving the taxi driver the address, I glanced at my watch again.

You're going to make it, I told myself. You still have plenty of time.

As it turned out I did still have plenty of time as I got out of the taxi cab and paid my fare. Walking up the steps, I pushed open the doors and stepped in.

I headed over to the front desk, where the same person as yesterday stood.

"Ah, Amy Cahill. New intern," he said. While I was trying to think of something to say, and wondering if I should say anything at all, he started talking again.

"Usually new interns have to get the coffee the first morning. What, you don't have to?"

I was about to say no before the words he had said clicked in my head. Hadn't Maggie told me that I had to get the coffee the next morning? Wasn't that an intern's job anyways ? She'd even given me a list of everyone's orders. God, I was stupid!

"Shoot!" I muttered to myself.

"Forgot, didn't you?" he said, almost as if talking to himself. "Well, no coffee means disgruntled employees - others have learned that the hard way." He paused. "Tell you what, there's a Starbucks just a block down." He glanced at his watch. "If you hurry, you should be able to make it."

I nodded and took a deep breath. I'd be fine. I turned and started striding toward the door, tossing a hurried, "Thanks!" over my shoulder.

Once outside I picked up my pace, walking as quickly as I could through a crowd of hurrying New Yorkers. The whole time I was walking I kept thinking, Get in and get out, get in and get out. It became a sort of rhythm to my steps.

I breathed a short sigh of relief as I saw Starbucks. Get in and get out, get in and -

"Hey, watch where you're going!"

I had bumped into the person at the end of the line, which coincidentally stretched from the register to the door. So much for getting in and getting out.

"Sorry," I muttered.

I didn't know how long - or how loud - a line in New York could be until then. I felt like I was waiting an hour, even though it was only fifteen minutes. When it was finally my turn, I dug the list of orders from my purse and started reading it off.

When I was done, I looked up at the cashier. She was pretty, with her streaked blond hair done up in a bun, and makeup tastefully applied. Freckles peppered her face, and she chewed gum rapidly. Her name tag read "Amber."

I blushed as she jotted everything I had said down. "Will that be all?" she asked, with a voice that showed absolutely no interest.

"Um, yes," I said. "But it's not for me. I mean, I-I'm an intern, so I'm g-getting the coffee for everyone else. M-my name's Amy. I totally forgot th-that I had to get the c-coffee this morning, so -"

"I couldn't care less," Amber said as she walked away to get my order.

I blushed bright red. I couldn't believe I had went on like that - I had found that I started to do that when I was nervous. I was really pathetic.

"Here you go," Amber said, and handed me my orders. I nodded but didn't say anything. I wasn't going to risk something like that again.

As I walked out, my mind switched back to work mode. I glanced at my watch. Only seven minutes were left, and I absolutely couldn't be late on only my second day.

Four minutes later I was hurrying to the elevator with the coffee. As I walked past, the guy at the front desk nodded at me.

Pressing the up button, I managed to glance at my watch three times before the elevator dinged upon. It was another minute later that I got out on the 15th floor.

I smiled to myself. I'm going to make it, I thought as I rounded a corner. Almost-

I crashed headfirst into someone, spilling all of the coffee over myself. I managed to keep my balance as I dropped all the cups onto the ground. I did also, however, manage to trip right after that and fall into the person's arms.

I looked up to see who it was and with a jolt realized it was Ian. I wanted to pull away but I felt myself simply freeze. Our faces were only inches away, and the only thing I could think about was how close we were. His almond eyes looked concerned as they stared at me, and some of his hair delicately swept over his forehead. I suddenly imagined throwing my arms around his neck and kissing him, and standing there forever. I shook the thought from my head immediately.

"Are you alright?" Ian asked as I pulled myself out of his arms and righted myself.

"Y-yes, I'm f-fine. I'm r-really sorry…" I trailed off.

"Oh, well, it's okay," he said, looking down to survey his coffee-stained shirt. Apparently I had managed to spill some on him, too. "I'll just, um, get a new one."

I couldn't tell if he had said the last part with sarcasm or not, but whether it was sarcastic or not, he was being nice. That really surprised me.

"I was just hurrying and…" I tried once more at an apology.

"I'm fine, though I do suppose you'll have some unhappy colleagues," Ian said. He bent down and picked up all the coffee cups, some half-filled and some empty, and then handed them to me. "Here."

I took them. "Th-thanks. I-I'll just g-go tell everyone there's no coffee."

He smiled at me. His smile made his whole face light up. "Good luck. And just remember, things happens to everyone." He nodded at me and continued on his way.

I stared after him for a while. I didn't think about being late. I didn't think about spilling the coffee. I could only think about what it would have been like if I had kissed him right then and there.

Ian's POV

I woke up the next morning trying to gather my thoughts. The fact that I couldn't think straight irritated me, so I simply tried to review the day before.

I had already gotten used to working as an intern for Mrs. Palico, so I couldn't say I actually minded that. I had certain friends there, certain interests, so that wasn't the problem. No - the problem was Amy.

It would've been so much easier if she had never walked back into my life. Because it was more than just seeing an old acquaintance - much more. Seeing her again had reminded me of the past, of things - well, things I regretted. And it had awakened feelings that I had had, that I had kept buried all these years, that I had pushed away. Not feelings I wanted or welcomed.

And I knew that she remembered all the things I had done to her, all the ways I had used her, which made seeing her and being with her all the more awkward. And so with all these factors I couldn't really say how I felt about her.

Simple. Do what you've done before - just don't think about it, I told myself. Not exactly a game plan, but it would have to do.

Getting up, I looked around. I lived in a large apartment, with plenty of space and easy access to the city. It was a perfect living space for me.

After twenty minutes, I was all ready to go to work with my favorite - and usual - business attire.

As I stepped outside, I observed that there were many early New York commuters like myself. At first, I hadn't liked the idea of getting up early, but after a while I'd gotten accustomed to it.

I walked up to my car, a silver Mercedes, and got in. Even though driving meant facing New York traffic, it was worth it to show off my new car.

After five minutes, I pulled up at the building. After parking my car, I strolled in through the double doors and to the elevator. While I was waiting for it to come down, I was joined by a man around my age - light brown hair, light blue eyes. I instantly realized who it was.

"Kyle," I said coldly. "Back for a second year to Lincoln Banking? Shame."

"Not as sad as coming back for a third year like you," he snapped back. I smiled. It really was easy to make him lose his temper.

As the elevator dinged open, he turned and strode away, apparently intent on using the stairs instead, which only spared me a few more uncomfortable minutes.

As I emerged out on the 15th floor, I slightly picked up my pace. Scanning my pass at the door, I walked inside.

Sabrina immediately came up to me. "Mrs. Palico wants to talk to you. She's in her office."

I nodded and strode over to her office. Knocking on the door, I waited for her, "Enter," and then walked in.

"Ah, Ian. Would you mind going down to the sixth level and asking for - for what's his name - Mr. Caine - and telling him I wish to meet with him at 1:00 sharp."

"Sure," I said unhappily, and even though I had just arrived, I walked out of the workroom again. Walking briskly through the hallway, I couldn't help but be slightly irritated. This is the last year I'm working as an intern, I thought as I rounded a corner. All I get to do -

Suddenly I crashed headfirst into someone, and felt some sort of liquid spill all over my shirt. Balancing against a wall, I righted myself only to have the other person trip and fall into my arms. I looked down only to find Amy there, looking as unhappy as ever. Suddenly she looked up at me, and a strange expression, almost of terror, crossed over her face. I looked at her with concern, trying to see what was wrong, but the expression changed into one of slight confusion.

I stared at her beautiful jade eyes and her flowing red hair, and I suddenly felt completely content with having her in my arms. Our faces were only inches away, and the thought popped into my head that I could kiss her right then. It immediately vanished as she started to pull herself out.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Y-yes, I'm f-fine. I'm r-really sorry…" she stuttered.

"Oh, well, it's okay," I said. And the funny thing was I meant it. I honestly wasn't angry or upset. I glanced down at my shirt, covered in coffee. "I'll just, um, get a new one."

She looked slightly surprised, and I couldn't help wondering why. Probably because the last time we met one of the things I cared most about were my clothes - New York can do strange things to you.

"I was just hurrying and…" she started.

"I'm fine, though I do suppose you'll have some unhappy colleagues," I said, making a pathetic try at a joke. At an attempt to slide over it, I bent down and picked up the dropped cups and handed them to her.

"Here," I said.

"Th-thanks. I-I'll just g-go tell everyone there's no coffee."

I couldn't help smiling at that. "Good luck. And just remember, things happen to everyone."

I nodded at her and then started walking toward the elevator. I didn't think about my coffee-stained shirt. I didn't think about what I was supposed to tell Mr. Caine. I could only think about what it would have been like if I had kissed her right then and there.