New York at Noon ((Jack))

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Of course we do, what kind of wizarding family would we be without butterbeer?" Charli said cheerfully, and in an instant one butterbeer appeared in front of Jack. Mack smiled warmly and leaned back in her seat, "Want a firewhiskey Kenze?" Anthony teased, Mack smirked and threw a throw pillow at him. Anthony dodged it skillfully and laughed as he took out his x-box so he could play a game. Although he was a pureblooded wizard, Anthony adored the x-box and Halo 2. He adored it.

"Play Halo, Jack?" He asked as he began to set up the game, his green eyes eyeing the Rendel in a cold way. Mack knew what he was doing, and she was about to slap him if Charli hadn't come in at the moment with a bottle of water. She threw it at Mack and Mack caught it and said to Jack: "He's obsessed with that game, if you play with him, you are never leaving this place." She told him with a teasing smile.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grinned and grabbed the butterbeer. He took a long drink before looking at what Anthony was doing. He was startled when he asked Jack if he played Halo.

"Play what?" Jack asked in total confusion. "What is it?" He looked at what Anthony was setting up. He had never seen one of those before; it looked like something a muggle would use. Jack forrowed his eyebrows and then looked at Mack who had just said something about a game. He shook his head at the both of them, looking utterly bewildered.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack giggled, "You really are a pureblood Slytherin aren't you?" She asked as she drank some of her water. Anthony laughed at that, while shaking his head and continuing to set up the X-box. Once it was all set up, he sat back against the couch and turned on the game. He set up his character which took him about all of 2 minutes, and then looked back at Jack and Mack.

"Halo. It's a video game. Muggle, but fun no less. There are plenty of mini games, and things like that, and you can play with friends or alone. It's a violent game, but it's hell of fun." Anthony explained to Jack, Mack rolled her eyes at every word and took another drink of her water before saying; "It's addictive. Just watch him play for about ten minutes, you might get sucked in." She nodded at Anthony who hit the start button and started to play.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grinned at Mack but continued to look confused until Anthony explained it to him. He decided to watch for a bit and see if it was good. Anthony had hit the start button and Jack watched as Anthony played through a level. He watched in awe and amusement as Anthony's character became violent. He sat there and watched, his eyes glued to the screen.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"He's sucked in." Charli said taking a seat next to Mack. Mack shook her head in amusement and looked at the woman before her. Charlimagne was one of the only people Mack could consider family, her and Anthony had been there for her- through everything. Charli smiled and brushed some of Mack's hair out of her eyes before saying; "You look so much like you're mother." Mack narrowed her eyebrows and looked at Charli as she shook her head, "No I don't. Dix looks like my mom. I'm the odd one in the family. You know that." Mack told her with a conerned tone of voice.

Charli sighed and shook her head, "No. You look like your mother. Kristie Hanner." Mack's world froze and the last thing she remembered was her water falling out of her hands. Anthony didn't look up, but Charli revived her. Or tried to. Then Anthony looked up, "What did you tell her?!" HE asked as he knelt over Mack.

"The truth. Jack would you mind pushing that chair over there towards the window so we can set her on the floor?" Charli asked in a kind voice.

[Jack Rendel S5]

He couldn't take his eyes off the screen. Play after play Jack watched, so involved in the game he didn't notice Mack and Charlie talking. He didn't really mind either, he wasn't sure if he could ever stop watching. It was a great game, Jack was going to ask Anthony if he could play once he had finished this level....

Jack heard something fall to the ground with a heavy thud. He slowly wrenched his gaze from the screen and looked at the scene that lay before him. Mack was on the floor, apparently unconsceince, Charlie was asking Jack to move the chair and Anthony was bending over Mack. It took a moment for him to make his body move into action. He grabbed the chair and pulled it away from Mack, so Charlie could lay her down. He felt scared for his friend; what had happened to her?

"What happened?" Jack asked with uncertainty. "Will she be alright? I mean, what made her faint?" Jack glanced at Mack, making sure she was still breathing and hadn't fallen dead. Sure enough there was a steady rise and fall to her chest; everything was alright.

[Mackenzie Holden]

She could hear them but she couldn't speak. She was too shocked to. Mack opened her eyes and looked at them, rage filled her chest and she bolted up, hitting Anthony and shoving him into the cough, "What the hell do you think you're doing?! Telling me I'm not a Holden?! Do you think you can just sit there and tell me my mother is my dead aunt and expect me to accept it?!" She shoved Charli out of the way and stood up, quite angered.

"All I wanted was a weekend without my family! And even if I come here, my sanctuary, I still have to put up with it! I can't stand it!" Mack continued to rage. She knew that Jack probably didn't want to put up with anything, he probably just wanted to play that stupid x-box game, and she couldn't blame him; she didn't want drama either. Mack sighed and leaned against the wall, her eyes locking with Jack's, "Let's get out of here, and go do something. See a movie? Have dinner? It's your choice." Although Mack was pureblooded, she did a lot of muggle things. She wondered if this surprised Jack, but she didn't ask. She wanted him to experience a carefree weekend, lord knows he and her both need one.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack looked from Mack to Charlie and Anthony in complete shock. What the hell? Jack jumped as Mack suddenly jumped up. She started raging around like some horrible animal. He had never seen Mack so confused and angry. He stepped back from this new Mack, to shocked to say anything. "Bloody hell," He finally whispered. "Mack, are you alright?" Jack breathed a sigh of relief as Mack suggested going somewhere else. He didn't mind; the game probably wasn't good for his mind. He smiled at the thought and looked down at his hands. He was taller than Mack, but sometimes in her rage, he felt small and helpless. He glanced up at her and then looked at his watch but couldn't tell the time. He had forgotten it on the train.

Jack's stomach rumbled loudly as Mack mentioned dinner. "Sure, but if you're Aunt doesn't have it ready yet then I could just have a snack of some kind." He said as he stood up from his chair. He looked at Anthony and Charlie and couldn't help feeling sorry for them. He wasn't even aware of what had happened, but he knew it was something bad. He nodded at them and said his goodbye.

"Nice to meet you, Anthony. Charlie." He said with a nod toward each of them. He turned to Mack and managed a small smile. "Shall we go then?"

[Mackenzie Holden]

"You too, darling." Charli called as Mack closed the door with a quick 'snap!' She grabbed her hair and pulled it up into a pony tail, a quick one but a neat one. She crossed her arms and shook her head, "My aunt cook? Hah. Right. She'll probably have the house elves whip something up. Knowing her." Mack said as she climbed down the stairs to the clothing store, Jack behind her. She breathed in, not wanting to remember what had just happened. Fifty mood swings in one and she was sure she would have more. She just wanted to go to New York, and do something there. See a Broadway play, or something!

"Do you know what Broadway is, Jack?" She asked, her right eyebrow raised in a perfect arc. She waited for his answer, all the while walking down the streets of London, walking back to Mel's house. Her feet aching to just bolt there and then go to the airport. She checked her watch and nodded, soon enough. Soon enough. She kept thinking to herself, just be patient.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack followed Mack as she led the way away from the apartment. He walked slowly, wondering what had happened. He didn't want to ask Mack at the moment, she seemed rather sore from it. He picked up the pace since Mack was walking faster than him. She must be excited. Or she just wants to get away. Jack mused. He smiled at the house elf part.

"Of course. I just didn't see any of them in the house when we were there." He moved faster still and couldn't suppress the grin from his face. "Broadway did you say? No, I have never heard of it. Another muggle thing, I suppose?" He laughed. Mack seemed to doing lots of muggle things. But what they were doing was fun, except for some parts. The argument and the little talk with Charlie had made things difficult for Mack. Jack couldn't wait to get to New York.

"I suppose there are a lot of things to do and see in New York?" Jack asked with some amusement. "It's a big city, right? It sounds big; like a capitol or something."

[Mackenzie Holden]

She waved the house elf topic aside, "They're shy, who wouldn't be if they lived with my aunt?" She asked with a small laugh. She noticed Jack had to catch up with her, so she slowed her walking pace down a bit. When he said he'd didn't know what Broadway was, Mack froze in her tracks. Literally. She grasped Jack's arm and stared at him, dumbfounded, "You don't know what Broadway is? I mean, I know I do a lot of muggle things, but Broadway? You've never heard of it? It's the best! Musicals, and plays all on stage in these huge theatres! Oh, we must see one when we go to New York!" her excitement could barely be controlled now.

"Shopping, Broadway, clubbing! So much more to do in New York than here!" Mack exclaimed whlie clapping her hands in joy. She couldn't wait. "Not a capitol though, it's just the city that never sleeps." She told him offhandedly.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smiled as Mack slowed down for him. He almost fell forward when she grabbed his arm. Jack had never heard of Broadway in his life; probably because of his father. Still, Mack seemed very surprised that he hadn't. Musicals and plays? Jack smiled. New York was going to be so much fun. He couldn't wait to go there.

"Sounds like you're going to be my guide there." Jack said with a smile. "You know a lot and I know so little." It would have been different if they were going to a place he knew. But all the places he knew were boring and horrible to young people. He shivered at the very thought of them. He looked at Mack, who still wasn't walking. "Shall we keep going?" Jack said. He was getting hungrier with each passing moment.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Oh! Right! Walk, when you move your feet..." Mack muttered, she had totally forgotten she wasn't walking. Her blonde was definitely showing now. They walked a few more blocks and then were at the flat again. Mack shoved open the door and stepped inside, made sure Jack was inside before closing the door and locking it. Her footsteps echoed as she walked up the stairs to Mel's house, she was about to open the door when it swung open and Stella appeared before them. The little house elf was shaking, her pale pink skin and pointy ears showing her fright. She wore a pillowcase and she had a single earring in her right ear. Mel soon appeared, a frying pan in her hand, and a ciggarette in her mouth; "You little piece of vermon!" Mel was screaming. Stella squeaked and jumped, expecting to be hit sometime soon. The frying pan was raised above Mel's head, and was about to be brought down on the little elf's head before Mack snatched up Stella and held her in her arms. The house elf buried her head in Mack's shoulder, while the girl glared at her aunt. Mel just sauntered off, and collapsed in her room.

"Jack this is Stella, our house elf. Well, one of them." She introduced, stepping inside and setting the pink elf down. Stella curtsied, clumsily because she was still shaking. Mack crossed her arms and looked at the little creature, "What did you do to make her so mad?" She asked. Stella sniffled and said in a squeaky voice, "I didn't have dinner out on time..." Mack rolled her eyes and sat down, looking up at Jack, "See, you saw a house elf." She laughed and curled up on the couch, propping her head up with her hand, "What to do...what to do...." She muttered, clicking her teeth together, very bored.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grinned as Mack started walking again. He wanted to pick up the pace, but he let Mack walk as fast as she pleased. The reached the flat soon enough and Jack walked in. It was nice for a few moments before Jack saw a house elf come in shaking with fright. Mel appeared soon enough and had a frying pan held over her head. Jack raised his eyebrows at Mack and was relieved when she grabbed the little elf to safety. Mel went into a room Jack predicted was her bedroom. Mack introduced the elf - Stella- and then she appeared to become bored. Jack sighed.

"You get bored easily, don't you?" He said with a smile. He sat down beside her and looked around, casting for a subject. His thoughts landed on Anthony and Charli. "What happened back there? With Anthony and Charli? I think I zoned out or something...but I didn't see what happened."

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Yes, I do! I need to be entertained 24/7." She told him in a giggly tone of voice. When he asked about Anthony and Charli Mack stopped giggly and rolled her eyes.

"I was told I am not a Holden, but screw her, I know who I am and I know my blood. I was raised Holden, therefore i am Holden. Charlimagne can think whatever the hell she wants, but I know where i belong. And that's with Derreck and Pam." She answered him shortly. Though she sounded so sure about it in her voice, she wasn't sure at all. What if she was Kristie's daughter? Kristie had told Mack so many stories about the little girl with golden locks who was kidnapped when they were at the mall, and Mack could never make any connection when Kristie stroked Mack's hair full of golden locks.

"Krisite Hanner is my dead aunt, she died mysteriously when I was 5. You know how you don't have any memories before you were like 4? Well, I don't have any until when I was 5. Everything before is a blur. I have always been told I am a Holden, and I always will be. Kristie's daughter was kidnapped when she was 1. I was told the story repeatedly, and I guess it could be true and I could be Molly. But, I don't know." Mack lowered her head and looked at her fignernails.

[Jack Rendel S5]

"I noticed!" Jack chuckled lightly. Jack listened about what Charli had told Mack with his mouth wide open. If I was told that I wasn't a Rendel, I would be celebrating. Jack thought. He couldn't help envy Mack. Even if it wasn't true, it would be nice to dream. Jack had always dreamed that one day his mother would show up and bring him home with her. It had never happened, but whenever Jack was upset, that was who he would think about. His mother who he didn't even know.

"That does sound crazy," Jack agreed. "It was weird that Charli would mention it out of no where like she had done. What made her say that? Or, what was she doing when she said that?" Jack asked with mild curiosity, even though Mack didn't seem to keen on the subject.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack leaned over and snapped Jack's jaw closed, she was getting uncomfortable with his jaw opened like that in surprise. She smiled and then shrugged, "Looking at me, and she told me I looked like my mother. Which I don't. I don't look like anyone in my family,not naturally anyway. Then she said I looked like Kristie Hanner. And then it all went black. Amusing really, right?" She stood up and walked into the kitchen, grabbing a box of crackers and heading back over towards him..

"To be honest, I could really care less about the subject. Although I despise the Holden's, they're still my family. If I am Molly, however, I want to know why I was kidnapped from Kristie and why they kidnapped from family." She said this before putting a cracker in her mouth and offering the box to Jack.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grinned as Mack shut his mouth. "Thanks. I fly could have got in there." He said with a laugh. He was confused on the part about her saying that she looked like her mother. She must have meant that Kristie Hanner was her mother, but that didn't make any sense. It made his head hurt just thinking about the possibilities so he stopped and looked at the crackers Mack was eating with longing. He grabbed a handful of crackers and stuffed them into his mouth.

"Mmmm." Jack said, not wanting to talk since his mouth was full of crackers. It took a few swallows to consume them and when he was done, he grinned at Mack. "Those are pretty good."

[Mackenzie Holden]

"Muggle crackers, one of the best. i do a lot of things muggle like don't I? I guess that just adds to the mystery that is me." Mack smiled as she popped another cracker in her mouth. She chewed as she continued to think about the Molly Hanner thing. If it were true, how much would it affect her life? Mack shuddered as she thought of this, and looked at Jack.

"Anyway, I had to take you out of there before you did want to play Halo. If that happened I would never have gotten you to New York." She told him in a tone that said she was just joking but it might possibly be true.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smiled. "Yeah, I did notice that you do lots of muggle things. But there's nothing wrong with that, is there? I mean, I'm learning lots of new stuff by being with you because of what you do. It actually makes it fun." He was trying to cheer her up; she wasn't looking that happy at the moment. "Those crackers are delicious." He added with a bigger smile.

"That Halo game was...addicting." He admitted. "It was like at first I thought it was stupid but as the game progressed it became more and more interesting." His smile widened even more. "Are there anymore games like that?"