An Early Christmas Present ((Closed))

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack gazed out of the airplane window, snow flakes collecting here and there. He felt his stomach churn. "You look a little pale, boy." The old man next to him said in that gravelly voice old people had these days. Jack sighed. Why did he always end up next to old gentlemen? "I'm fine," Jack replied. He turned back toward the window. Did he look pale? The old man grunted. Jack smiled at the glass. Wasn't this a lovely ride back to his hell? His own personal hell? He had wanted to stay back at home (Hogwarts. Jack considered school his home, sadly.) with Mack, but no. Father had insisted that Jack come home for the holidays. The flakes fell against the window pane and melted slowly. Jack felt his stomach swirl just like the snow, and then melt. Roger Rendel - his father - hadn't been acting normal lately. Not that he ever did. Jack felt the plane wheels hit the ground with a heavy thud. The old man got up and began to get his baggage. Jack remained seated. This was all a dream. Nightmare, more like.

"You gettin' up, sunny?" The old guy asked again. "When the sun sets," Jack replied, not looking at the man. He moved on, apparently not wanting to spend time with bratty Jack any longer. He smirked and stood up as well. Most of the plane was empty already. Jack got his baggage and rolled it off the plane, away from the airport and down to the road. "Father?" Jack asked, blinking uncontrollably. He had almost ran into Roger, but instead had ran over his foot with his bag. Bobby the servant stood behind him, smiling shyly over his shoulder. "What are you doing here?" "Getting my son," Father replied with a hearty boom. Jack raised an eyebrow. What was so funny? Had he said something? Jack didn't understand. He gazed over Father's shoulder, wondering if he had brought along a drunk friend. No one except Bobby, who had turned seventeen this July, was his company. "Okay," Jack handed Father his baggage, and surprisingly, he took it and rolled it along beside him. They got in the silver Mercedes and drove off slowly. "I got a real surprise for you at home, Jack." Father said happily. "I can't believe you came home for the holidays! It's going to be the best ever, you know. I can't wait." He rubbed his hands together vigorously. Jack sat back in the seat. "Yeah," Jack said with less enthusiasm then he probably should have. Father turned around, the old look on his face again. "You know I'm doing this for you, don't you? I planned this all for you, and what do you do? Disrespect me? Is that what I'm hearing, Jack? Well?" He demanded when Jack didn't reply.

"Of course not, Father," Jack said, staring out at the traffic. "Good." The rode in silence for a little while until Rendel mansion came into sight. "Oh, I can't wait!" Roger grinned with renewed excitement. He nearly jumped out of the car when Bobby pulled it to a stop and ran into the house. Jack took a deep breath. "Are you okay, Master Jack?" Bobby asked, peering through the rear-view mirror. Jack smiled and shook his head. "Yes." He pulled open the door and set out to the house, Bobby trailing close behind. The door hadn't been shut properly, and Jack had to kick it with his foot in order to open it. The hallway was empty at first and quiet. Too quiet. "Father?" Jack called. Nothing. He shrugged. He was probably getting the big surprise ready. Even Jack was getting excited, wondering what it could be. He heaved his bags up the stairs and was about to open his door when it suddenly banged out in front of him, with a huge "SURPRISE!" Jack stared. A girl about his age stood in front of him. She looked normal, with light brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. She was tan and lanky, a soft smile curling her lips. Her hair was ratty and her hands dirty, including her clothes, which was a simple dress that looked too small for her. Jack stared. "Who the hell is she?" He asked when Father, who was standing behind the girl, didn't speak. A silly smile was still on his lips.

"Well," he said, "she's your new sister!"

[haille]

"Who the hell is she?" Was what Haille got. I traveled across the world practically, heard funny accents, sat in a car with Mr. Rendel, and the son he spoke about asks who the hell I am? Is this a dream? A bad dream? Haille rubbed her eyes. Still, she remained standing in front of Mr. Rendel and in view of Jack, who had turned a nasty shade of puce when Mr. Rendel had said she was his new sister. Haille's smile wiped off at seeing Jack's face. "Umm..." Haille muttered, making eye contact with Jack. He had the most amazing blue eyes. Haille ran a hair absently through her hair but got stuck half-way through. She really needed a shower.

"Mr. Rendel," she said politely, turning back to her new father. A term I'll have trouble accepting, if this monster's his son. No wonder Mr. Rendel spoke about Jack with indifference. He's a complete...well...something bad. Mr. Rendel nodded, watching Jack pound away. Haille gazed at his back, wondering why it was harder on him to accept her then for her to accept him. After living ten years in Green Grass Orphanage, she was ready to have a family. She walked up to her new room, which was below Jack's, and got in the shower. Dirt and grime turned the water brown and her hair knotted at the ends from the water pressure. She sure would have trouble getting through that later. Haille sighed and turned off the water, wrapping the towel around herself and entering the bedroom.

She nearly dropped her towel. Jack Rendel was lounging on her bed, probably waiting for her. His head snapped up and those blue eyes widened when he saw she was only in a towel. Haille stepped behind the bathroom door to hide herself. "You're supposed to get dressed in the shower, you know." Came the lazy drawl from behind her door. "It's the normal thing to do here. I suppose if you want to live here, you'll have to act like us too. After all, you decided to live with my father, didn't you?" Haille pulled on her clothing and walked out of the room, straightening her shirt as she went. "Yeah," she replied, going back to the bathroom to get her brush. It got stuck in her hair and she winced in pain. "Jesus Christ!" She muttered, pulling the brush away from her hair. Jack laughed and she glared.

"What so funny?" She demanded. "You. Saying yes. I can't believe you went with him without force." Without force? What's that supposed to mean? Haille shrugged. She didn't enjoy the look on Jack's face; curiosity but a satisfied smirk. What was he thinking? "Could you do this for me?" Haille asked, handing the brush out to him. Jack eyed it warily. "What?" He asked. "Could you brush my hair for me? It's such a knot, and I can hardly see it when I brush..." Haille stepped forward, the brush held out in front of her like an offering. Jack took it quickly and motioned for her to sit down on the bed. He sat down behind her awkwardly. Haille knew it was probably because he didn't have a sister to brush her hair, so he had no experience. "Not roughly, please." She said. He smirked and ran it through her hair, not stopping when it caught. "Owww!" Haille exclaimed, her head being yanked down. "What the hell where you thinking, letting your hair turn into a rag?" He asked, pulling again. She grimaced. "You wouldn't understand." Haille said. She expected Jack to question her, but he didn't, and they continued in silence until her hair shone and was perfectly straight, no knots at all. "Thanks." Haille said, with a new smile. Maybe things won't be so bad after all. "Don't get too used to it," Jack said, and left.

[Jack Rendel S5]

"Jack!" Father shouted up the stairs. Jack could almost hear the happiness in his voice. He felt queasy in the stomach and felt like he needed a garbage can. Instead, he sat upright and looked at the door, which was closed solidly. A loud noise thudded from downstairs. Jack had been hearing noises for nearly five hours downstairs. The sound of Haille and Father laughing and singing along with Christmas tunes was disgusting. It made Jack feel like a stranger in his own home, and where was the right in that? Jack curled up on his bed. Why couldn't he be down there with the two of them, enjoying the Christmas spirit? What was wrong with him? Jack traced a design in the pillow. He wanted to talk to someone. He wanted Mack to be right here with him. He wished he could talk to her, ask her what was happening with her and how lucky she is to have stayed at Hogwarts. How lucky she was to stay at school and not be with dramatic Jack.

"Jack?" Came a soft voice from the other side of the door. Jack peered at the thick wood. "What?" He shouted at the door, raising his voice for a purpose Haille didn't seem to understand. She opened the door and surveyed Jack laying on the bed like a weary traveler. "Is something wrong?" She asked. Yes, something is very wrong. My life is very wrong. And guess what? You're making it worse! Why don't you go live in the blasted hole you used to be in, instead of making everyone here miserable. "No," Jack said and rolled over. The wall looked very interesting. "Oh," Haille said. "Well, Mr. Rendel wants to see you downstairs. He is getting a tad upset at you for not coming when he called for the tenth time." She was about to leave when Jack looked up.

"What, hasn't he asked you to call him Daddy yet?" Jack snarled at her back suddenly. She pivoted slowly on her left heel and looked at him with those chocolate eyes that appeared to be black holes, sucking Jack into oblivion. It only made him angrier when she didn't reply. "Well?" He demanded, feeling he had to know this. Haille gazed at him and slowly shook her head. "Not yet." She turned away and started down the stairs. Jack watched her with pure hatred. Not yet. Wonderful. He just had to wait until yet came and then he would really suffer. So, would she though. When she sees the real 'Mr. Rendel,' she'll suffer. She'll have to. Jack relaxed at the thought and got up, went to the door, and looked down. He couldn't believe he was listening to her. He should have gone when Father had wanted him to.

"Bloody hell!" Jack cried when he walked into the kitchen. Everything had been changed. He felt like he had been pushed into a different dimension. A microwave, an oven, a dishwasher, a.... There were so many muggle things Jack could hardly count it, let alone keep track of the names. His head spun and he had to lean against the wall. His home had become a muggle hole. A muggle hell! Jack's eyes wondered over to the bright faces of Haille and Father. Was this supposed to be something...something... "What..." Jack sucked up his breath. He couldn't' breathe. Help me, God. "Father, can I speak to you alone?" This was not the reaction Haille and Father had apparently been expecting. Haille lost her blasted smile and shrugged, scurrying away from the two men. Thank God. Jack then spun on Father, his rage boiling forward in great waves, folding around him until he was encased in his own fury.

"Why the hell did you do this, Roger Rendel?" He asked calmly, not going well with his appearance. It took all his strength to remain calm. "Jack," Father paused, uncertain what to say. "I did this for Haille. She didn't feel at home with magic so I changed it a bit - " "A bit?" Jack spat back. "A bit?! Really? I think you changed our whole bloody kitchen. Oh, and what if I don't feel at home? What if I don't like it? Have you forgotten I live here too!?" Jack snarled. His face was beet red and he nearly passed out. "Jack, she's a guest and - " "Listen to yourself. A guest? She's living here now, Father!" Roger shifted uncomfortably. Jack barely noticed. "She's here more then you." That was the lamest excuse ever made by an adult. Jack sucked in the air. "Jack," Father said, suddenly stern, "She's your new sister and - "

"I don't want a new sister!" Jack shouted at Father, losing his control. "I already have a sister! What about Padme? What about my real sister? I don't want some bloody, filthy prat living in my house. A filthy muggle who acts like she really does belong here. She doesn't and you know it, Father. She's a filthy muggle and you're going to give up everything for her? What has gotten into you? What can't you see about her that I can? She doesn't even feel comfortable here and you know I hate her! I hate her, father, and now I always will!" Jack declared. He thought he heard a sniffle from the other room but ignored it in his rage. "I hate her so much. You act like she's your favorite when she's not even of your blood, let alone pureblood. What is wrong with you? Have you hit your head or....or... Bloody hell!" Jack pounded his fist on the counter. "I've had enough of this, Father. Sure, she's a pretty girl. Is that what you wanted to hear? Sure, she looks like she can be your daughter, but I think, no I demand, insist, that you send her away. It's best for everyone, Father. Even her. Would you like to embarrass yourself in public by dragging her around? What would your Death Eater friends think of you? You're ruining your life over a little filthy girl who looks like she lived in the dumpster outside!" Jack glared at Father, who looked suddenly beaten down by him. A sob echoed through the other room and the pounding of feet on the stairs. Jack looked up, his face losing what color it had.

"She heard you," Father said, pointing out the obvious.

[haille]

It was morning. Her fifth day of living in Rendel mansion. It felt like her death sentence was drawing nearer. Maybe she didn't belong here. Maybe she was living a false dream, thinking she could finally belong somewhere. Maybe Jack was right. She did look like a gutter-rat and everyone seemed to hate her. She hadn't done anything, just the fact that she was becoming a Rendel made her the target for loathe. She had skipped dinner last night, and her stomach rumbled loudly. Food crossed her mind but she refused to get up from her bed. She didn't want to see Jack. What if all those maybes were true? What if Mr. Rendel was going to listen to his son and throw her out? Could she survive Green Grass Orphanage again? Would she try? Things seemed so bleak at the moment. Haille had never felt this sad before, this lonely. She wished Tiffany was here, but no, she was over the sea and a few hundred kilometers away. America. The country of hope. Why had Haille left? To pursue this dream, this country of Scotland, where the green grass grows and everyone is happy and lively. No, Haille realized. I can't stay here. I truly don't belong.

"Haille?" A voice called from outside the door. It sounded like Jack. Haille curled up in a tighter ball. "Unlock the door and come eat. I know you're hungry." Haille gazed out the window. I don't need food. No, I don't want food. I'd rather just starve then face the family again. She told herself, convinced herself. The footsteps moved back down the stairs and everything was quiet. That wasn't a surprise. He had given up on her already. Haille took that as a blessing and turned over in her bed. If only things would become easier for her. She wasn't wallowing in self-pity, though. She couldn't do that for long. She thought back to Tiffany, all alone in the orphanage to face Mrs. Dunham. Haille sniffed. She missed her best friend. And what about Blake? Her boyfriend? Did he miss her, or was he just goggling at a different girl? "Haille, I have the keys. I'm going to open your door now, like it or not." Bloody Jack. Couldn't he just go away? Maybe Mr. Rendel had forced him to say sorry to her. She didn't want to see him if that was the case. She wanted a true heart-felt apology, not something created out of fear for his father. The door creaked open and there he stood, looking moody as usual. She looked at him, fire burning in her eyes.

"What now? Come to make me feel even worse?" She asked him, leaning back on her bed. His smirked. "Sadly, no. I'm here to apologize." Haille glared. "You're just a big git, Jack Rendel. Now get out of my room!" She stood up, her fists clenched into balls. "I bet I'm physically stronger then you, pretty boy. I don't have time to talk to hot shots, so get out before this gets ugly." Jack, much to Haille's disgust, just smirked and shook his head. He went to her chair and sat in it, propping his feet on the arm. "Honestly, you don't know much, do you? This isn't your room. Yet." He paused and ran his hand over the leather. Haille watched, anger boiling deep inside her. "Well, after your admirable out-break last night, I thought that you wouldn't like to be in this room anymore, much less stroking the chair. I have sat in that before and I wouldn't want you to get dirty. After all, I 'lived in the dumpster outside' didn't I?" She smirked at him and crossed the room so she was merely inches away from his face. Her brown eyes were nearly shooting sparks. "Settle down," Jack muttered quietly. "You don't want to embarrass yourself any more, do you?" He sneered at her. Haille had enough. She reached back and punched him right across the right cheek. Punched, not slapped. He reeled off the chair and ran into the vanity table.

"Bloody hell!" Jack screamed at her, scrambling to his feet. Haille breathed in sharply. Oh no. She had just hit her new fathers' son. Jack's blue eyes turned so light they looked scary. Haille backed away slowly. One eye, the right, had a black ring around it. A black eye. Oh no. Oh no, oh no, oh no. "You deserved that!" Haille spat at him. "You think you're a mister big-guy but you aren't, and never will be. Now get out!" She pointed toward the door. Jack glared at her with hatred but with new respect. "Do you ever lie?" He asked suddenly, taking Haille off guard. She looked at him quickly. "No." She never did. "I thought as much. You meant it when you were stronger then me. Or you thought that much. But if I were to do the same thing you did to me, you would be against the wall with a bloody face." Jack bragged, looking as if he would indeed do just that. Haille didn't doubt him. "So, go ahead and do it!" She challenged, but Jack just shrugged. "It's child's play. You acted like a child would, and I won't repeat it." Haille rolled her eyes. He always had a way of aggravating her. "Or maybe you know that you won't live up to your threats." She replied. His face flushed slightly, but he stepped an inch closer. Haille didn't flinch. "You should be grateful I haven't yet hit you," he hissed between his breath. "Sure. Of course. I should be thanking the Gods." Haille whispered sarcastically. Jack was so close she was sure he could hear her.

Jack smirked. "You surprise me. For a gutter rat, you are quite the little fighter. First a black eye. Are you going to crush my heart and mind with your strong words as well?" Haille glared at him. It was obvious he didn't mean what he was saying. "I thought you came here to apologize? You're doing an awfully good job at that." Haille hissed through her teeth. He smirked. "I already have apologized, just in a hidden form. I didn't hit you, did I?" He smiled, showing all his white teeth. She looked away from him. "But really, I didn't mean half of what I said," Jack relented, sitting back down at the armchair. He felt the growing puffiness around his eye tenderly. "You are one hell of a girl. You'll be quite a hard one to break for father. He'll have to train you and everything." He looked at her, his eyes growing back to that amazing blue color. Haille didn't sit. She still didn't trust him. Jack laughed. "You can sit down if you want. I'm not going to bite quite yet." He was taunting her. Haille glared. "I'm fine where I am, thanks." He shrugged. "Well, that was my apology. Take it or leave it, but it won't change." Jack stood up and went to the door. He paused and looked back. "What's your last name again?" Oh. He didn't know Haille's last name. He probably wanted to know so he could see what type of family she came from. "Logan." Haille replied. "My full name is Haille Hope Logan. I think my mother's name was Hope." Jack raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?" He asked. Haille gazed at him. "No. My parents died when I was but two years old. I can't even remember their voices." She admitted, not sounding in the least sad. That was the past. "Oh," Jack said, before closing the door softly behind him. Haille stared at it before going back to it, and walking downstairs. Breakfast sounded good at the moment.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack looked at Father from his dinner. Haille was in the other room, drawing with charcoal. He wasn't sure what charcoal was and how someone could draw with it, but he was amazed to see Haille's drawings come to life by a bunch of graphite. Usually, she drew something that represented how she was feeling. The last thing she had drawn was the rain. Behind the gray clouds had been a sun peaking through. Jack could understand the meaning of that well enough. Hope. Something he wasn't accustomed to in this household. But with Father singing Christmas carols and Haille.... well, Haille was just different. Punching people... bah. She always has a smile if things are going her way, but when they don't, she makes things go her way, Jack concluded. Kind of like me.

"Father," Jack said, moving his spoon around in the Italian soup they were having for dinner. Jack's was cold already. "Who are the Logans?" He spoke just above a whisper, aware the Haille might be able to hear from the other room. He wanted a man-to-man talk with his father, and Haille wasn't included. Father blew on his soup thoughtfully. "The Logans aren't really.... anyone." He said after a moment, also speaking in a whisper. Jack sighed. "Come on," he whined. "You can tell me." He sat up straighter in his chair, eying Father. He looked uncomfortable and completely out of place. "Let's move to a different room," he said and gripped Jack's arm so hard he painfully remembered the days this was routine. Pulling him around like a rag doll, Father finally stopped in one of the farther rooms from Haille. Jack pulled his arm back and rubbed it gently.

"What happened to your eye?" Father said suddenly. In the tug-of-war, the ball cap Jack had had on his head had fallen off, showing his gleaming black eye. His blue one squinted in order to see Father straight. "Oh..." He searched his mind, quickly coming up with a lie. "I rolled off the bed when I was going to take a nap. I had one of my... my luggage stuff on the floor and you know, my eye rammed into the corner. Got a bit black, didn't it?" Jack touched the puffiness with a pout on his lips. "You should clean up your room more," Father reprimanded. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be the pig you are at the moment. A black eye..." He smirked. Jack raised an eyebrow. Becoming the normal Roger Rendel again, was he? How... exciting. Wait until Haille realizes he's not the Roger she thought she knew... Jack grinned maliciously. He shouldn't, but he couldn't help it.

"The Logans," Father said suddenly, getting back on track, "were half-bloods. Haille's mother, Hope, was a witch of Beauxbatons and graduated with the very high grades. Her father, Raymond, was a Squib. I consider Squibs, muggles, by the way." Father added, with a snark grin. "They aren't anything much. Anyway, she's a half-blood but her parents died before they could teach her anything, or tell her anything. She can't even remember them. Haille has so far shown no magical power, but I have a feeling she may in the future." Father smirked and looked across the hall. "Her parents wrote a specific note that I should take her in if they were to pass away. It seems they were forewarned but... couldn't stop fate from taking control. I was destined to have Haille here, and she was destined to meet you as well." That smirk was still on his lips and it bothered Jack. What was that supposed to mean?

"I don't understand," Jack said quietly. "How did you know Haille's parents? How did they die? Where did they live? How old is Haille? Why - " "Whoa!" Father cried, literally putting his hand over Jack's mouth. Jack slapped it away. "Enough questions. I can only answer so much. I knew Haille's parents because... I was friends with Hope. She and I.... we were just good friends." Father said smoothly. Liar. Something more was there to tell. Jack knew it, but he didn't say. "They died from a rare sickness called Yellow Fever. Barely anyone gets that anymore... in fact, it is so very rare everyone refused to believe the Logans died like that. Instead, they were put under malaria sickness. They lived in France, I'm afraid, which is so very far away. I don't think I've ever been to their house..." Father shrugged. "Haille - as I'm sure you guessed - is around you age. Actually, she's fifteen. You're about a year younger then her." Father squinted at him. "What else were you going to say?"

Jack sighed. What to say? Father had answered all his previous questions quickly and off-focus, getting side-tracked by other things in his memory. Jack thought. He should be sneaky as to what to ask. Father couldn't suspect that he was suspicious. "How old was Hope Logan and Raymond Logan? What town is their house in? What did they look like? Where was Haille when you adopted her?" Jack slid farther in the armchair. "Hope was... hmm... your mother's age. Since we are three years apart.. she would be thirty-six if she was still alive." Father was thirty-nine. "Raymond would be forty, I think. Haille took after Raymond, I'm afraid. He had the brown hair and eyes, and the tan complexion. Hope was like a frail doll. She had a pale complexion with waxen blond hair and green eyes... the opposite of your mother, actually." Father scratched his chin. "The Logans lived in Paris. And Haille was in America when I adopted her. She was in New York, at an orphanage called Green Grass Orphanage." Father sighed. "Enough questions. I'm tired and you really don't need to know anything more. If you want to, ask her." He paused at the doorway. "Don't go looking through my things." He added, shutting the door behind him. To Jack, that was like pointing a sign at Roger Rendel's closet, with an arrow at the small chest that stood locked in the corner.

[haille]

"Ladies must sit up straight. Posture is one of the most important rules for a lady. Haille? Haille? Are you listening to me, Haille?" Haille snapped out of her reverie. So much for a short talk on how a lady should act. This had been going on for nearly an hour and still he managed to bring up a new aspect of lady-like etiquette. She smiled and nodded at Mr. Rendel, who still looked suspicious. "You aren't turning rebel on me too, are you?" She grinned at his question. It sounded rather ridiculous to her. Why would she rebel. Mr. Rendel saw her face and shook his head. "Forget it. Look, Jack didn't turn out the way I wanted him to. I had hopes for him, dreams.... I'm not going to ruin it on you. You will be perfect, a lady, as Jack should be a gentlemen. Now, Haille," he began again sternly, "a true lady only wears dresses and skirts. They can wear jeans and such at home, but in public I expect to see you in dresses. Since you have so far managed to avoid putting one on... I thought I should point that out to you." He paused as Haille opened her mouth. "I haven't worn one because I don't have one," she confessed with a small flush at her neck. Was she supposed to have one?

"That will be taken care of," said Mr. Rendel. He motioned for the servant, Bobby, to come inside. They whispered together, Haille leaning forward to try to catch what they were saying. She couldn't. Snap. Bobby nodded and left, scurrying away like a frightened animal. Haille felt sorry for him. What had Mr. Rendel done to be so terrifying to such a nice boy? She shrugged and didn't ask, thinking she would sound foolish if she did. "Ah, Jack," Mr. Rendel said a few moments later. Jack came into the room, looking frustrated and sulking, as usual. Haille slipped him a grin and he scowled. She knew that her happiness bugged him now. Why not take advantage for a little? She could see his black eye was beginning to heal. Now it just had a dull sheen that flashed in the light, looking more puffy then black. "What is it?" He demanded, sounding more like the Boss then Mr. Rendel did. His father leaned forward, apparently not disturbed by Jack's rudeness. "I want you to take this young lady shopping, and stop by the beauty shop on the way."

"What?" Haille cried. "Why the beauty shop?" She looked at Jack, who was suddenly wearing a knowing smirk. She hated him for it. "Because," Mr. Rendel said firmly, "a young lady mustn't have long hair. It makes you look like a witch. You must have it cut. Jack will know which cut is appropriate. And you must do something with those nails. Toe nails and finger nails, mind you. Your finger nails are bitten to the skin. That won't do, especially if we have important guests. Jack, she needs dresses as well. I expect you know what that means? Make sure she tries it on," he said, now talking only to his son as if Haille didn't exist. She sat back, winded. Chop off her hair? Have Jack in control? What could get worse? Trying on clothes in front of him... Dear god! She stood up and shrugged. "No!" Mr. Rendel said suddenly. She jumped. "Now shrugging of the shoulders. It makes you look dull and stupid. And no words such as, 'dunno.' That makes you sound like some ape, not a perfectly intelligent young lady. Didn't I say that before?" Haille shrugged before she could stop herself. He glared but dismissed the two teenagers with a wave of his hand, like waving away bugs. Haille shot to the door quickly, figuring on leaving Jack behind, but somehow he was still behind her.

"This should be fun," Jack commented dryly. He mustn't like it any better then Haille. "Tell me about it," she said and kicked a pebble on the sidewalk. Jack sighed. "C'mon. We better get moving; Father will be after our hides if I didn't get you to all the shops needed. Or my hide." He added sourly and pushed ahead. Haille lagged behind for a little before she went to catch up. "How do you know what to get me? Can't I decide and not have you pick everything out? I'm not a child anymore. I know what I want, you don't." She complained loudly. Jack smirked and shook his head. "I've been taught how to take a lady shopping. It's was one of Father's lessons for gentlemen. This was one of the first, mind, so I listened. Then I realized he was just turning me into his puppet." Jack gave Haille a side-glance. "Surely you must realize what he's doing as well?" She raised her eyebrows. "He wouldn't turn me into his puppet! "She protested and looked away from him. This particular part of Scotland was very, very populated. There were barely any people on the side-walks, in fact, only Jack and Haille were to be seen walking. Everyone else sat in the traffic jam that was up at the next light. "How much farther until the beauty shop? I want to go there first, so I could see which dress fits my hair best." Jack sighed and glared at her. "I want, I want, I want." He mocked, suddenly cruel. "You better get used to not wanting, because want doesn't have a definition here." He gazed up the street.

"Are you lazy or something?" He demanded after thought. "No!" Haille glared. "I'm just wondering..." She touched her hair lovingly and blushed when she saw Jack looking. "Don't want to chop it off, do you?" He asked. "I told you want isn't any good." Haille didn't reply. She knew it wasn't any good arguing with someone as stubborn as a mule. She could kick him in the rear verbally and still he wouldn't budge from his opinion. Or the 'facts' as he put it. A huge mall came up on the horizon. She eyed it with loathe. "That's it, isn't it?" She asked as the neared. "Yeah." Was the reply that came back. So much for creating small talk. They entered the white mall and suddenly were pushed into a huge crowed of people. People who loitered about without reason. Haille saw Jack's scowl and smiled. She knew enough about him to see that he hated people like this. "This way," Jack pointed toward a small shop at the end of the hallway. She was surprised to see the size of it. "Can't your father afford something bigger?" She asked Jack. He shrugged. "Who cares?" He made his way through the crowed like a needle would cloth. When he opened the door, Haille gasped. The little shop was elongated until it was nearly as long as the hallway. Many people sat at the haircutting place, waiting impatiently for their hair-cutter. Haille felt very uncomfortable. It was obvious all the people here were of wealthy families.

"Mister Rendel!" Cried a younger man who had a name tag. Billy Woods. Hah! "Which of you are getting the hair-cut?" Jack pointed at Haille slowly and, looking like it was a real strain, smiled. "Haille Rendel, my new sister." Rendel? Haille Rendel? Had he accepted her? She wanted to lounge at him and throw her arms around his neck, but resisted the temptation when he glared moodily at her. Nope. He was still Jack Rendel. "Oh. Well, come on back and we'll get her all done. Do you have a hair-cut picked out?" Jack talked to the man as he led Haille to her chair. She was surprised with the quick service while people around them were still waiting. Mr. Rendel must have quite an expression on this place. "Please, sit." The man insisted. Haille sat obediently, sitting up a little straighter then normal. That lecture may have done its charm. Her stomach convulsed as he smiled at her. Yellow teeth. This man was doing her hair? It proved that he was more talented at styling his hair then brushing his teeth. She sat through it all, hair falling around her. The floor began to pile up with hair. It used to be long... now it would be so short... so unbouncy. She didn't look like a witch, did she? When it was done, Haille was about to get up when the man said, "Whoa! What're you doing, getting up already?" She sat back down, looking rather embarrassed at the chastisement. "Uh.. aren't I done?" She looked from Jack to the man. "No," Jack explained looking very pleased. "We're going to dye your hair. Darker. More black then brown. Or really dark brown. Whichever way you put it, it's going to be darker."

She had such a dark brown that it looked black. Haille stared forlornly at the mirror. Great. Wonderful. She shot a look of pure hatred at Jack, who was gloating in this small victory. Gloat while you can, Haille thought, watching him out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't believe this. She was becoming completely changed into some other person... Haille Rendel. Not Haille Logan. Not Haille. No one she knew. "Are you going to give my contacts too?" She demanded of Jack. When he looked puzzled, she continued. "You know, the ones that change your eye color?" "Oh," Jack said with a smirk. "No, but we always could." Haille glared and turned her head back. She had gotten yelled at already for turning her head too much. Why couldn't that dirty man yell at Jack? Gosh. When everything was done, and he had wiped Haille's neck free of hair, she sat up and gazed into the mirror. Her hair was very dark and very short. It framed her face nicely, and had a slant cut, getting shorter as it reached toward her cheekbones. It was about shoulder length. Haille new she had lost a good three inches or so. She would have a hard time not trying to flip her hair over her shoulder. The dark brown of her hair made her eyes appear like black holes. She sighed. It also made her tan complexion look waxen. She walked out with Jack after paying. "Hard time becoming a lady?" Jack asked, not joking. Haille shot him a look of pure hatred. "Only when it includes you." He didn't answer but smirked, and pulled her to a shop for ladies only, where she would try on lady dresses.

[Jack Rendel S5]

It was a long haul, dragging Haille Logan around the mall for nearly three hours. She needed lots of dresses, gowns, skirts, blouses, and make-up if she was to impress Roger Rendel. He was hardly ever impressed, but when it came to Haille he twisted his thinking a little. Jack was starting to think he would spoil Haille like he had never spoiled Jack. He tried to ignore this pestering feeling, but it wouldn't subside into something weaker, and not as prominent on his brain. Jack rolled his eyes as Haille began complaining again. "I look Gothic," she wailed as he picked out a black shirt and black sweatpants that she could wear around the house. "No, you don't," he assured her, pushing past a few young women to get to strapless dresses. Haille would only wear these at a very special meeting of friends, surely. Jack sighed and picked out a lavender dress that was about Haille's size. "Try it on," he told her. She was still complaining. "If I'm not Gothic, I'm a mourner." She muttered, walking past him so fast a breeze lifted his hair. He shrugged and sat down in the waiting seat. He didn't like this; checking out to see if the dress fit Haille right. It made him feel more then a brother should... made him feel like an impostor on her privacy. Haille didn't like it much either, her cheeks turning crimson as some points. She was rather filled out for a girl of fifteen. Jack hated inspecting her keenly enough. If she didn't like this, Jack thought, wait until Roger watches her.

"Tada!" She cried, pulling open the curtain to the waiting room. The lavender had a dazzling effect on Haille's body, but Jack didn't show it in his facial expression. His eyes might have given it away, but he couldn't help that. If he could, he would, blast it. His electric blues wondered over the dress. Haille was obviously not a very soft feminine person. Sure, she had all the feminine features, but her shoulders were taught and she looked too skinny. Her collar bones were prominently poking out of her skin. Her face looked paler then before, and her eyes were so dark they looked like pools of black glass. Jack looked away. "Fine," he said loud enough for her to hear. She stepped back into the room. He touched his face, wondering if a slight flush had crept on to his face. The dress had been slightly revealing... and he hated this. The sooner they got out of there the better. Haille returned, looking better in the torn jeans and ragged t-shirt then the lady dress. He snatched it from her and stuffed it into the already full cart. "I think that's about it," he informed her. "Let's go."

"You'll have to try this on for me later," Father said when they got home. He took in Haille's hair-cut slowly and his eyes widened. "Good job, Jack. Very nice choice." Jack nodded, keeping his eyes downcast. He didn't feel normal today, and he wasn't used to such compliments. It was like uttering profanity in this household. He moved up the stairs and Haille joined him a few moments later. "You might as well try on the pretty clothing," Jack snarled at her. "I want to be alone." He continued up the stairs, but Haille wouldn't leave. "I think we should get to know each other more," she declared. Jack didn't reply. Damn. Why wouldn't she just go away? Did they have to go through with this? He thought back to the conversation he had with Father. He still hadn't looked in the closet, but he would soon. And Haille would come with him. First though, they did have to get to know each other more. Jack stopped in mid-step and Haille rammed right into him. They fell on the floor and Jack fell down a few steps, landing hard on his behind. "Bloody fantastic!" He stood and rubbed his rump. "Thanks for that one," he spat at her, not watching as her eyes turned to fire. "Welcome." She replied as coolly as possible. She didn't do a very good job. Jack sighed and turned around, retreating back down the steps.

"We're going swimming," he informed Haille. He went to Father, after seeing if Haille had a complaint, and told him the plan. "I'm glad you two are making an effort," he beamed but looked slightly suspicious. What was he afraid of now? "Bobby will drive you to the lake. Don't be too long." Bobby appeared in a second and Jack gave him a rare smile that he returned. They hopped into the car and off they went. Jack was surprised they had gotten this far without Haille blabbing about something or another. "So, where's this lake?" She asked. So many questions. "Just a few minutes away. It's secluded and a nice place to talk." Haille nodded and looked out the window. Jack softened a bit but not much. It must be hard developing to a totally new surrounding, let alone a whole different country. No word was spoken until the reached the lake, who's name Jack had forgotten. Haille gasped and jumped out of the car before it had stopped. "It's beautiful!" She cried, running through a thicket of trees that surrounded the lake. Jack smirked at Bobby. "An hour, I say." He said and Bobby was off. He was alone with Haille. Wow. It felt strange, eerie. His new sister....

"Oh, my gosh! Jack!" Haille cried, appearing at his side out of no where. She threw her arms around his neck and screamed. "I love this place!" She twirled around in a circle and fell in the grass, laughing loudly. Jack raised an eyebrow. "Had any sugar lately?" He asked quietly. The laughter stopped. "Can't I have at least a little fun?" She demanded, sitting up in the grass. Her hair had pieces in it. Jack smirked. "I don't know. Can you?" He moved past her and went to the lake. It was a small lake and hardly any people went here. A perfect place for them to talk. He dived into the lake, clothes and all, and felt the cool water rush above him. It was refreshing. When he surfaced, he saw Haille in the water as well. She turned out to be a great swimmer, even better then Jack. "So, tell me about you first." She said. "Any girlfriends or... friends?" She raised an eyebrow. "Of course," Jack replied. "Do you think I could honestly be single for as long as you've been here?" It was true; he had had a lot of girlfriends in his life already, but only one did he feel crazy about. "What's her name?" Haille asked, breathless. Girls, Jack thought while treading in the water. Strange creatures.

"Mackenzie," he told her with pride. "You like her a lot then?" Haille asked quickly. Jack wanted to snap at her for prying, but he had to spill his secrets out to someone or another, and Haille seemed ready. "A lot." He agreed after a moment of thought. "You'll probably meet her at my birthday party.... If she comes. I don't know. From what I heard, she's still at school. If she comes, it should be interesting." Jack smirked. He had realized over time that Haille and Mack weren't too different. Just in their own ways, sure, but the two were always diving head first into things without thinking. Haille smiled. "That would be great!" She thought a moment. "I did have a boyfriend, but he probably is after another girl. Are you like that? Take one, leave one?" "No, actually. I'm not." Jack smirked at her. She was strange, so very different. "Okay," Haille grinned and did a dive under water. "I'm bored," was the first thing she said when she rose. "That's nice," Jack glared at her. She got bored so quickly, he couldn't keep up. "Thanks for taking me shopping today," she offered. "I had to." He replied angrily. "Oh." They were quiet for a little when Jack turned to Haille. "So... tell me about your life. I haven't heard much from you about it." Haille stared for a second. "It's a long story," she said finally with hesitation. "We have an hour. And as far as I've seen, you can move that mouth pretty fast." Jack smirked but had to raise his arms to block a sudden attack of water from Haille. "Just tell me." He said impatiently. "Fine," Haille huffed. "I guess you deserve to hear it."

[haille]

Haille grinned and leaned against the edge. She was already getting goose-bumps all over from the cool air and cool water. It made her feel like she was slowly freezing into an ice-cube, but she didn't get out. Here she felt she could talk to Jack without feeling like someone being inspected. "I guess you could describe me as a rebel. My whole life revolved around making one person unhappy and making another person happy. Tiffany, my best friend forever was the person I tried to make happy. When I left though..." Haille stopped and breathed in the air. "And?" Jack demanded after a few seconds. He was so impatient. She couldn't belief she was going to be living with him for the rest of her life. "The person I tried to make unhappy was Mrs. Dunham, the Headmistress of Green Grass Orphanage in New York city. The funny part about it was," Haille said with a small giggle, "there is no green grass in New York. I don't know where they got that name. Funny, actually. Me and Tiff used to make fun of it a lot... Anyway," Haille said quickly, trying to avoid talking about Tiffany. It only brought up painful memories that made her feel more like a betrayer.

"You rebeled against this Mrs. Dunham then?" Jack asked, pointedly trying to get her back on track. "What? Oh... yes. I did and she deserved it too. 'Haille this, Haille that. Clean up your room, Haille. You'll never get adopted Haille.'" Her mocking made Jack laugh. "Did she really sound like that?" He asked when the laughter subsided, silenced by the lake itself. "You betcha. She was a real be-itch. She couldn't believe someone would actually adopt me. When Mr. Rendel went to her about it, she nearly had a heart attack." Haille rolled her eyes and pushed back her hair, which was still damp. "I lived there for thirteen years, Jack. I never got to see anything.... anyone, for that matter. Besides the people stuck in the Orphanage. I was one of the oldest kids there, and the administraters of Green Grass were starting to think I would never be adopted. Not many kids continue to stay at an orphanage when they've been there all their life. Apparently, I wasn't a cute child." Haille said bitterly. She hated Green Grass, which had formed her into the person she was now. A hard, trying-to-be-fair, somewhat bitter, sweet. A candy, she thought. A candy gone bad. Jack put on a face full of pity and she rounded on him, the water moving with her. "Don't you dare give me that look, Jack Rendel." She cried, splashing water at him. "Since when do you feel sorry for me?"

Jack shrugged and leaned back again, his lazy demeanor showing through. Great. Haille leaned back herself before she could help it. A silence fell over them, one Jack wasn't too happy to have. "Tell me about the time when my father came to adopt you," he said after waiting for her to talk. She raised a sharp eyebrow. "Oh, that. He just came out of the blue, looking very clean and vigorous. He charmed all the children there and he seemed like the perfect father. Wealthy, handsome, tall, strong, perfect. You must admit, you're lucky to have him." Jack smirked. "Of course." "I wanted to have him as MY father and instantly took control. I stood out and made myself seen whenever he was around. He noticed me and decided I would be a good daughter. I had to go to dinner first with one of his friends to prove myself," Haille admitted, noticing how she made Mr. Rendel sound perfect. "It was the Drangle family or something -" Jack perked up quickly. "Did they have a daughter? A Felicity Drangle?" Haille shrugged, looking at him curiously. It looked like he was about to laugh or cry, she couldn't tell. "Yeah, they did. I proved myself there, so on the car ride back to Green Grass, Mr. Rendel told me that I was to be his new daughter. That was it. He signed all the papers and junk and then I was free, set loose from the chains that binded me at the Orphanage." Haille did a small pirroutte in the water. "I don't miss it a bit," she claimed, feeling guilty at the same time for saying such a statement. Jack convulsed in the water.

"Damn. It's cold," Jack got out from the water, shivering. "Was my story so exciting you didn't notice until I finished," Haille teased, surprised when Jack just shrugged. "I wanted to listen, so I did," was all he said before disappearing in the brambles to the other side of the hidden lake. Haille got out slowly. She too, had noticed that the cold was bone-chilling, and quickly ran after Jack. They only had to wait a little while for Bobby to come with the car. It must have been nearly over an hour. Haille shivered in the back seat and curled up into a small ball. She cast a glance at Jack, who was like-wise snuggled into the leather. He stared out the window, not looking at her. She turned away and sooner then expected, they arrived back at Rendel manor. "How was your day at the lake?" Mr. Rendel demanded as soon as the two stepped through the door. "Eventful," Jack said. Haille looked at Mr. Rendel. He looked red in the face and very angry. He gave Jack a glance Haille couldn't translate, but Jack apparently understood. He blushed and looked away. "Umm... I think I better go upstairs," she said quickly, realizing that a father-son debate was going to go on silently until she left. She bolted up the stairs without looking back, welcoming the warm water that hit her back soon after in the shower. If she got down quickly, perhaps, just perhaps, she would be able to hear this talk as well. If she wanted to or not, she couldn't decide. Not yet.

[Jack Rendel S5]

"I'm not in love with Haille, Father." Jack stated calmly, oring into Father's eyes. He looked frantic, like a dog with rabies. His eyes were wide and his mouth taut. "I hope not, because that is utterly forbidden. No attraction will come between you and Haille unless it is sibling love. I've noticed you and Haille are becoming closer..." He eyed Jack beadily, who paled but didn't look away. Was he and Haille getting closer? Those brown eyes told him it was true, but he had yet to realize it. Jack bit his lower lip. "It's nothing more then what it should be," he said finally and strongly. He eant to cut the conversation right there and then, but Father insisted. "Are you sure? Search within yourself and see - " "I think I can tell on my own how I feel, Father." Jack spat, an old rage boiling through his hot-blooded veins. "I already have a girlfriend," he said, tyring to prove himself innocent as his word didn't seem to satisfy Father. "Oh?" He asked, suddenly looking interested. Jack glared. Father hadn't even asked if Jack was okay during sickness; now he was taking a sudden interest in his sons' life?

"Yep." Jack looked away, positive that if he told Father who it was, Mack would end up banned from the manor. He cast around for something new. "Haille hates me," he claimed, but vividly thought of the time she had hugged him when they were alone. That had only been out of pure happiness, he convinced himself. "Really? She seems to be warming up nicely and you picked all the nice dresses and the perfect hair-cut for her..." Father went from relaxed to viciously suspicious again. Jack rolled his eyes and stood up. "Unless you have something important to say, I had better get on my way." Jack picked his way through his words, carefully deciding which would be okay to say and which would sound disrespectful. Father drew a thin line between the two. "Well - " Father sucked in air, "I was thinking about your birthday and I figured you should probably hold a birthday party of some sort. Just family and.... close friends, I suppose." Father smiled as Jack's eyes brightened. "Thanks!" Jack sat up quickly and grinned. "So, who do you plan to invite?" Father asked quickly, looking again tired and resigned. "Well, you and Haille and - " Father shifted to interrupt. "Actually, Jack, I won't be here during your party. I have a very important meeting I can't miss for anything." Even your own son's birthday? Jack wanted to ask. "Oh. Then Haille, of course, Padme, Mackenzie... Dixie maybe?" Jack sent the question toward Father, who didn't even look happy at the Mackenzie idea.

"I will not have an insane Holden in my household." Father said firmly, stating quite clearly there was to be no arguing. Jack shrugged. Him and Dix weren't close enough anyway. "That's it then," he said. "Only three people?" He sounded disappointed, as if his son wasn't social enough. Jack shrugged again and stood. " I guess." Father sighed and stood as well. "So, are you going to be gone the whole time?" Jack asked, suddenly curious. "Yes. I expect you teens to behave appropriatly and keep the manor clean. Bobby will take care of everything for you... meals and things. Actually, to be exact, I'll be leaving after dinner tonight and won't be back until the eighteenth." Father started to walk away. He slowed at the door, but decided not to pause and continued out. Jack took a deep breath and looked toward the other doorway. A flash of dark brown hair flashed out of sight just as his eyes wondered over there. Haille. "I know you're there, Haille Logan. Step out and show yourself," Jack called like a police man. Haille did step out, looking defiant about being caught. "Eavesdropper," Jack accussed immediatly. Haille pretended to look offended. "No!" She protested. "I was just walking by and you saw me... Oh, what's the use!" She flopped down on the couch. "I hear I'm invited to a birthday party?" She asked quickly. She looked suddenly vibrant and alive. "I didn't know your birthday is tomorrow!" She jumped up as quickly as she had fallen down and grabbed Jack's hands, twirling him around. Jack glared and backed away from her, but he knew that he could take advantage of how Father was afraid of the two getting close.

"I hope you have something special for me." He told her smugly. "I'll be very disappointed in you if it's not the best gift there..." Haille grinned and sat back down on the couch. Jack did the same. "Is that Mackenzie girl coming over?" She asked. "I hope so." Haille smiled. "This will be the best birthday party ever! You should have told me before-hand. I could have made the best costume for you and -" Haille's face brightened. "I still can! Hah! Don't worry, I won't embarrass you.... too much." She giggled and glided out of the room. Jack gazed at the emptiness. She seemed to change so quick. First she was punching him then she was hugging him, thinking about what he should wear. He sighed and stood up, following Haille's footsteps out the door. "I'll do everything perfect!" Haille called from the stair-well. Jack couldn't help a smile. "Make-up, hair-do, my very best dress, and more! You won't recognize me." Haille's laughter rang through the hall. Jack's smile remained. Maybe this would be fun. All that remained was to call Mack and get this small party started.

[haille]

"Hey, Mr. Rendel!" Haille said brightly when Mr. Rendel stepped through the door. It was two days after Jack's party. Her hang-over was thankfully diminished and she was feeling back to normal. She gave him a warm smile and then turned to Jack. Although she was smiling on the outside, Haille was uncertain what to do. She looked at Jack for guidance, but he gave her none, only stared blankly ahead. He wasn't running up to his father and giving him a hug. Haille was uncertain if she should do that, or if it was forbidden or something in this household. She had never seen Jack hug Mr. Rendel before, so for all she knew, it could be. "Haille!" Mr. Rendel called, a large smile stretching across his face. Haille didn't have to decide in the end anyway - Mr. Rendel came up to her and gave her a big bear hug. Jack cleared his throat. Haille pulled away from Mr. Rendel, eyes wide. Mr. Rendel just seemed to notice Jack too, but instead of giving him a hug, he received a curt nod.

"How was the party, Jack?" Mr. Rendel asked, sounding curious. "Fine." Jack made a side-stepping movement and put his hands in his pockets, looking serene. "Good." Silence developed for a little while, and Haille again shifted uncertainly. It was times like these that made Haille wonder if this was where she really should be. "I still have your birthday present, Jack." Mr. Rendel said suddenly. Jack raised an eyebrow, and Haille's eyes widened into even bigger orbs. "Do you?" Jack asked, still looking stunned but suspicious as well. Haille smiled - at least this was something good. "Yes, a surprise. It's a little late, but I hope you don't mind." Mr. Rendel suddenly smiled and walked a step closer to Jack. It seemed to take a lot of strength, for he didn't do it again. "Oh." Haille berated Jack silently for not saying anything more. "Thank you," would have been more appropriate. Mr. Rendel seemed a little down about it, and his smile faded to a blank face. A straight line. "We have to go to town to get it though. And you get to pick it out." Haille grinned widely as Jack nodded in agreement. "Do I get to come?" Haille asked quickly, a small smile on her lips. "Of course." Mr. Rendel said with a wink. Jack's smile faded.

Five minutes later, all three of them were in the red Mercedes, driving to downtown... wherever they lived. Haille had trouble remembering the name. With a small smile plastered on her face, Haille looked continuously out the window so to avoid seeing Jack's mutinous face. The drive seemed longer then normal, and Haille tried to survive through it all. Finally, they arrived and Mr. Rendel parked a the bank. "Why are we here?" Jack demanded suddenly, and with such menace Haille had to turn in surprise. "So I don't give away where we're going." Mr. Rendel said matter-of-factly, ignoring Jack's tone. The threesome walked down the streets for a little while, when Mr. Rendel stopped in front of the pet store. Haille and Jack did the same. "I guess I can tell you what's going on now." Mr. Rendel said, casting a glance at Jack. "Well... you get to pick out your own pet, Jack! Anything you want.... but I thought a dog might be nice." Jack suddenly looked up, and Haille thought his eyes had brightened. "Really? A dog?" "Yes." Mr. Rendel took out some muggle money and put it in Jack's palm, closing Jack's fingers around it tightly. "Go on." Jack, not hesitating in the least, bounded straight into the shop with the excitement of a child.