Author's Note: In this fic nothing passed "Max In The City" has happened. This part with be divided into 2 sections, 2a and 2b.
Classification: Love Triangle (Max/Tess/Other)
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and original characters.

Evans Residence, 12:35

Max stirred his Spaghetti-Os. They just came out of the microwave. He was about to put some Tabasco sauce on it when the doorbell rang.

"Max can you get it!" Isabel shouted from upstairs.

"Why can't you get it!" he yelled back.

"I just finished taking a bath!" she yelled back. The doorbell rang again.

"I'm coming," Max said annoyed. It was past 12:30. He was dressed but no, that was too much to ask of Isabel. Max opened the door.

"What are you guys doing here?" he asked puzzled.

"Urgent business, Maxwell," Michael said and pushed passed him.

They piled into the living room.

"Where's Isabel?" Michael asked.

"Upstairs," Max said. Michael started upstairs. "Wait! She just took a bath."

"Oh," Michael said and felt is face getting red.

"So what's this urgent business?" Max asked.

"Today there was this guy that I never saw before asking for Tess," Liz said.

"What did he say? What did he look like?" Max inquired.

"He said he was there last night. He met Tess but he didn't know her name-"

"How can he have met Tess and not know her name?" Max said disbelieving.

"Max, let me finish. He described her to a tee and then I said none of us knew a person like that and that we couldn't help him," Liz said.

"What did he look like?" Max asked.

"He was about 6"3, medium build, even shoulders, brown hair about Michael's shade, with gorgeous green eyes," Maria answered. Everyone looked at her. "What?" she said defensively.

"Did you call Tess yet?" Max asked.

Valenti Residence, 12:38pm

"We need more sugar. I'm going to the store," Tess yelled as she went out the door. She decided a walk outside would do her good. She felt better when the cool, crisp air hit her skin. Tess' thoughts wandered to what happened last night. She tried to forget him but she couldn't. She never felt something that intense before. Maybe with Max, but she didn't even know this guy. She walked around for a few minutes then headed to the store.

The store wasn't that crowded. She headed down the aisle and chose a box of sugar. Then she went to the check out line.

"That will be $1.29," the saleswoman said.

Tess handed the lady two dollars. She picked up the bag and exited the store. She felt centered again. That is until she saw him.

Jake meant to say something but whenever he saw this girl his words were lost. After a few moments he managed to utter, "Jake," and extended his hand.

"My name's Tess," she smiled and shook his hand. After she touched him, she felt weird. They definitely had a connection.

Evans Residence 12:50pm

Max Evans hung up the telephone. He didn't want to panic but he was worried about Tess. They got rid of the Skins of Copper Union, but he knew there were others. He feared she was in danger. He looked up to address the group.

He scratched his head.

"I finally reached Kyle. He says she went to the store for more sugar about 20 minutes ago and she's not back yet," Max announced.

"But May's General Store is only 10 minutes tops," Liz said concerned.

"Exactly," Max said.

They all realized "Jake", if that was his real name, could be one of the new waves of Skins.

"So what do we do now?" Michael asked.

Max looked at Isabel. Everyone soon followed. Isabel looked like a deer caught in headlights.

"We need to know what we're dealing with," Max declared, "Isabel, that's where you come in. Try to figure out what's going on, where she is, and if you can try to communicate with her."

"But I need a picture," Isabel argued.

"No problem. I'll get one," Max said and started towards to his bedroom, "Meanwhile the rest of us will try to find her," he trailed off.

When he came back down stairs he had picture of Tess. He walked over to Isabel and handed it to her. Liz looked at him and Max cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Michael, you're with me and Alex you're with Liz," he said.

"If it's alright I want to help look for her," Maria spoke up, "I mean, she saved my life once. It's only fair that I return the favor."

"Okay-"

"Max I'll stay behind," Michael said. "Once we get the information we need, we'll join the search."

Max nodded. "Be careful," he said to Isabel. With that Max, Maria, Liz, and Alex headed out the door.

Main Street, 12:50pm

"Are you new here?" Tess asked him and they began walking.

"No. Yeah. Well, kinda," Jake stammered. Tess shot him a confused look.

"I'm here visiting a relative," he clarified.

"Oh," Tess said. She had to admit she was disappointed.

Jake sensed that and said, "I'm here until New Years but I don't live that far from here."

"Where do you live?" she asked curiously.

"New Falls, Minnesota," he said. She laughed. He did too.

"So Jake.." she paused.

"Bridges. Jake Bridges."

"Okay, Jake Bridges of New Falls, Minnesota, do you like Aliens?" she asked.

"Huh?" he said confused.

"Food and alien attractions are just about the only things to do in this town," she clued him in.

"Certainly," he said.

Evans Residence, 12:56pm

"Are you ready?" Michael asked Isabel.

"Um, sure," she said distracted. He furrowed his brow. 'Not exactly the vote of confidence today,' he thought.

She held the picture of Tess in her hands and tried to get through.

Main Street, 12:57pm

Tess suddenly felt an energy trying to get through. She attempted to block it. After a few seconds it went away.

Evans Residence, 12:58pm

Isabel breathed in sharply and returned to consciousness. Michael was at her side.

"Are you okay?" he asked. She nodded. "What happened?" he said and handed her a glass of water.

"I couldn't get through," she said and took a sip of water.

"Did you see anything? Anything at all?"

Isabel thought for a moment.

"She's near Main Street."

"Good enough," Michael decided, "Let's go."

To Be Continued..