Let's Talk ((Jack))

[Mackenzie Holden]

She tapped her foot slowly the resounding beat coming from somewhere in the air. Her head was reeling, horribly. Round and round it went, questions that were unanswered and aching with those horrible thuds and whispers. Mack was about to stand and leave when she realised she was supposed to be meeting Jack. "Right..." She muttered. She was confused. And it was written on her face. Her newly dyed blond hair fell on her shoulders in curls, and she wore only the slightest bit of sadness on her face. She remembered the night before when she was so sad, that when Jamie came over for the movie- she cried on him all night. That was something he was good for. Listening.

"Well, Mack, I'm sure..." "No! Jamie! You don't understand! This and the fact that I don't know what is going on between Jack and I is too much!" "You and Jack?" "Yes! God! It's too much!" Mack sighed, remembering the conversation. She hadn't meant to tell him about Jack, she was just going to tell him about Claira. But that sort of led into Jack and well, she told him everything. And Jamie hadn't reacted the way she had wanted him to. Oh well, no loss..Mack thought sullenly. Her drink was brought to her as the clock struck 12. She nodded and let her head be lowered onto the table, not even drinking her tea.

"Mack! You're so naive! He doesn't like you!" "He does too! You just don't want me to know, because you like me! Jamie, I DON'T LIKE YOU!" "Fine! But when he hurts you don't come crying to me!" "Don't worry! I WON'T!" She heard the door slam as if he had just left the apartment, but she didn't do anything like she had last night. Instead she slid deeper into her seat and pulled the sunglasses on over her eyes, waiting for Jack to arrive.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack glared angrily at his hands. He had just gotten cut by some knife that he was using to cut the onions for the tacos he and his father would be enjoying. Now, blood was all over the counter and Jack finger had a huge cut in it. He moved over to grab and paper towel and attempted to clean up his bloody mess, but it continued to become dirtier and dirtier. By the time Roger came in, blood was spattered everywhere, including the white walls. It took a while to get the truth through his father's head but once he did, Jack was dismissed to his room. He knew that he would go without dinner tonight, but that had been his plan in the first place. He had to get out of the house somehow without his father noticing. Now that Roger was in a rage he would have no sense to check on Jack in his room. Although cutting his finger open had not been Jack's original plan, it had the effect he had been wanting so he couldn't have wanted more. Except for the bleeding to stop. He paused, searching his room for a band-aid of some type that he had bought a few days ago. Since Roger would have rather let Jack bleed to death than heal him, Jack had learned to care for himself. The band-aid worked well but not as fast as Jack had wanted. Now, he just had to hope that he wouldn't get infected somehow.

He kept his hopes low as he looked around at his back-yard where he had managed to escape to. It was a good thing that Roger had too houses. The one in London may be small but it was close to all the thins Jack loved to visit. He scanned the shadows for any sign of something out of the normal before slouching low to the ground and setting off. It was about twelve at night and that had good cover for Jack's escape. He smirked in satisfaction as he reached Hogsmeade, the place where he was supposed to be meeting Mack. He edged forward and then ran full speed toward the Three Broomsticks, opened the door quietly and stepped on inside, his shoes slapping loudly on the wooden floor. He saw Mack sitting there with blond hair. He smiled and slid into the seat next to her, ordering a butterbeer.

"I see you've gone back to blond," he noted quietly, not sure what to say. She might have had blond hair when Jack had been in the Hospital Wing but he hadn't actually had enough energy to look. He liked her better this way: Normal. He clutched his butterbeer when it arrived and took a sip, not really tasting the substance. He wasn't sure what else to say and Mack looked like she was suffering, to Jack's distress. Maybe what had happened between the two of them had been some type of dream. A really good one at that. But, now Jack couldn't help but wonder why Mack looked so bad when he had thought he had done something she had wanted too. Unless it really was a dream....

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack jumped, "What? Oh..yeah. Back to blond. Julian hated it, but oh well. I like it. Red was starting to give me a headache." She smiled a small smile as she took a drink out of her own butter beer. OK, now they were to talk...but not about them- about Claira, because Jack was her best-friend and he deserved to know everything that went on in her life...they would come later.

"Well...i have things to tell you, before I become unconfused on the 'us' subject." She told him slowly with a twinkle in her eye that said it wasn't a dream; because she felt that was what he thought it was. Just that there was something more to tell him about her family. Boy was it messed up. She just wanted to live in a different family- that would be so much better. Mack sighed, took another drink of her butter beer and faced him.

"Derreck Holden is one screwed up man... Apparently I have a sister. Besides Dixie. Her name is Claira. And well...she's a half-blood like me. I met her mother...I don't know...it's just all confusing. That's what makes me stressed mostly. The other thing is us and well, I don't know what's going on...I was hoping that, maybe, you could clear up a few things for me...?" She raised her eyebrow slightly and looked at him with a small smile.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack nodded at Mack. "I prefer blond anyway." he told her with a shrug. "It's who you really are and that's who you should be. No matter if you're rebelling against your family or not." he added with a grin. He had liked the idea of make rebelling against her family. He took another sip of the buttebeer, this time enjoying the usual effects. He loved the feel of it. Mostly because it made him feel much warmer inside, even in the coldest of situations. Maybe that was why he always like butterbeer; he was always in cold situations. Once he had clunked his mug back on the soft wood of the bar, Jack tuned in to what Mack was saying. She said something about telling him a few things before clearing up the subject about 'them.' Jack frowned; he had known this would come up in the confrontation but he hadn't been ready for it to come up so quickly. He put a smile on his features . It was soon wasted though, when he heard what Mack had to say. Another sister? First Padme and now this Claira person! Jack listened to what she said before speaking rather slowly.

"So, she's kind of like a half-sister or a step-sister, right? I mean, Derrek was the father but there was another woman..." Jack wrinkled his nose in disgust at this thought. "Your father is real messed up Mack. In mind and action." he said meaningfully, knowing full well that Mack knew this already. Jack leaned back on his chair and tired to fit this new information in his mind. He wanted to ask what she was like or if she looked like Derrek Holden or the mother. He wanted to know everything about this little girl. "How old is she? How did you know about her? Did you just meet the mother or did you meet your...sister?" Jack spit out rather hastily, wondering if Mack was too confused on the subject to even answer. He remembered how speechless he had been when he had first met Padme, but everyone who met that girl was rather speechless at first. He was proud of his sister. Taking his thoughts off Padme, he cringed slightly when Mack asked what was going on. He didn't cringe because he hated the thought of them, but because he didn't know what was happening. "What do you want to know?" Jack offered, deciding that Mack could hand him random questions and he would try to answer them the best he could.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"She's ten. Her mother sent Derreck a letter, telling him about Claira and how she was going to be attending Hogwarts this year. And I only met her mother, I haven't met Claira- nor do I have the want to. Apparently; Derreck and Samantha met at a Christmas party." Mackenzie shrugged as she twirled her blond hair around on her finger, "It just makes me wonder- who else he has been with and how many other sisters or brothers I have out there...ya know? It just makes me uneasy."

Then Jack said, "What do you want to know?" Mack breathed in sharply. There were a million things she wanted to know but she just didn't know how to ask him, maybe she should just tell him about the conversation with Jamie and go off the questions she asked him...yeah that might work. Mack's eyes locked with Jack's and she began to speak; "Yesterday, when I went home from recording, Jamie came over. I was upset and I cried. I cried non-stop. I never cry. You are one of the only people who have seen me cry, so you know how rare I cry in front of someone. But I cried in front of him- and I told him about Claira and that led to you in some weird way."

So far so good...Mack brushed her bangs out of her eyes and continued; "And him being Jamie, told me you were, and I quote; 'a lying sack of filth' and you 'don't really like me, just using me.' Of course I yelled at him, though I had questions; questions like, do you really like me...or are you just humouring me? Because if that's it- I don't want you to. Or questions like; what exactly is happening? What are we? Best-friends? Best-friends-with-benefits? Boyfriend girlfriend? What? Then the thoughts of...will this ruin our friendship? But I don't think it will for some odd reason. So anyway, I told Jamie that he was lying and that you weren't like that. He told me that when you hurt me to not come crying to him, and I told him I won't." She sighed, and finished her butterbeer before saying:

"I guess Jamie and I aren't talking anymore."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack frowned as he listened to Mack. She hadn't even met this sister but she had met the woman instead. Jack wasn't sure if that was the best way to work things out but he didn't say this. "So, um...she's kind of like a half-sister or a step-sister then?" Jack asked curiously trying to figure it all out. Mack seemed rather upset about the matter; well, more confused. He was also sharing this point of view. When Mack said it made her uneasy to think about how many others she might be related to, Jack nodded mechanically. "I can't blame you. I mean - that's awful what your father's putting you through. But, I'm sure he doesn't really care. I'm guessing he doesn't care much for this...Claira either, does he?" Jack rubbed his chin, thinking hard, but stopped when Mack started to talk about the 'us' ordeal. Jack crossed his arms over his chest and listened until she was through. His lips curled into a snarl when he heard was Jamie had said about him. But he said nothing about it, knowing full well that Mack would realize what he was thinking by his distorted features. Once Mack was done, he spoke up.

"Oh, come on Mack! You know me better I hope! You're my best friend; do you honestly think I would put you through even more lies?" he asked incredulously, surprised that Mack had asked such a thing. "I...I don't know about what we are. It depends what we...we want it to be." Jack said in a much smaller voice. He wasn't sure what the answer was to this. "I guess it's either best-friends-with-benefits or the girlfriend-boyfriend one. It all depends, I suppose. As for you not talking to Jamie, I think that's for the better personally. Annoying little brat." Jack put the snarl on once more but took another drink so it wouldn't become even more horrid. "So...um...did that answer anything?" Jack asked, knowing that he hadn't really answered anything much. It was all he could do though until he got some answers from Mack.

"Now, I get to ask you some questions too,'' Jack replied with some humor hidden in his voice. "Do you really like me, or was that all some sort of...accident? Also, what do you want us to be?" He smirked. "I'm positive this won't pressure our friendship too." At least, I hope.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"I know! I didn't believe him! But, I mean, come on! It's Jamie! The guy I grew up with! He saw me in diapers! At least, my mum said he did..I always take what he says into consideration for at least the little bit of the slightest second. He's helped me through a lot, Jack, and has been right about a lot of things. I just didn't want him to be right about this thing. So of course, those questions didn't stay long. Apparently, I know you better than I know him- because I hadn't exactly expected him to say something like that." She sighed shakily and moistened her lips before saying something in response to the good no talking thing. Her blue eyes seemed lost but she tried to smile, "In some ways, yeah, it's good. In others, it's bad."

Mack listened to him ask questions. His first one was almost defensive, if she hadn't asked the same thing. She nodded, "No Jack. It was all an accident. I stopped talking to my older brother type friend, just to carry out this." She said with deep sarcasm. Mack shook her head, "I really like you OK? That is what I was confused about that night in the kitchens...That was what made me so envious of Felicity. I like you..." The next question, Mack merely shrugged- trying to hide her confusion, but knowing she was doing a horrible job at it; "I want to be more." Mack laughed slightly, "That helps loads doesn't it? I don't know, I guess it would be kind of nice to see boyfriend-girlfriend. But I am afraid that might get too weird, like it did with Jamie. But I don't want to compare you to Jamie, so I think it's worth a try. But it's always a possibility. And I think I put too many buts in that piece of the conversation...." She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smirked and nodded at Mack to show that he was listening. He wasn't sure if he liked the idea of Jamie knowing almost everything about her, but he didn't care to mention it. What he was disliking about their conversation was how confused Mack was. He hated seeing her like this; the first time he had met her she was like a flaming ball of fire. In other words, uncontrollable. Even with Padme that was apparent but now....? Jack shook his head and ran a finger down the sweating mug of butterbeer. It was a humid night. Jack shifted in his chair before glancing side-ways at Mack. So, she wanted more? Jack wasn't sure what he wanted anymore. He just wanted Mack there, friends or girlfriend. It didn't matter to him. Just as long as she was there.

"I agree. I think we can give it a chance. After all, you like me; I like you; it'll work out, won't it?" Jack asked Mack as much as himself. He snorted loudly when she said that she didn't want to compare him to Jamie. "You better not. If you did, I would be like some pig-headed control freak." Jack said with a small laugh. "So, I guess that makes you my...girlfriend?" Jack asked, still getting used to the phrase.

((Sorry it's so short...))

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack raised an eyebrow at him, "And you aren't already pig-headed?" She asked teasingly. Mack laughed lightly and leaned back in her chair, placing the sunglasses over her eyes again. Kris' sunglasses. A smile crossed her lips at Jack's question, "I suppose so...unless you don't want it to be that way..." She shrugged as she looked at him through her dark sunglasses. She was glad they were hiding her eyes. But before he could say anything, Mack leaned in and began speaking again.

"I'm going to jump to a totally different topic, alright? OK, listen. My birthday is in February, right? Well, for some reason my parents want me to have a party in a week, at home. Here's the catch. It's formal. I want you to come. I understand if you say no, I'm throwing one at Hogwarts in February on my birthday. But you being there would be like so much more bearable. Don't worry about my dad, my mum has him controlled. She's been actually nice to me lately." Mack shrugged and smiled again, "So you in?" The hastening of switching subjects might have surprised Jack, but it was something she needed to ask him.

((No worries..))

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack scowled at Mack's reply. "Not nearly as bad as him." he smirked casually before running a hand through his hair. It was rather unruly today, which he hated above all. He liked it to be flat and charming but instead it was rather messy and eye-catching. Jack blinked a few times as he looked up at the lights, considering his thoughts on the matter. He wasn't sure what he thought on the matter and he most certainly didn't want to tell Mack when he was in full light. Instead of answering straight out he just nodded in agreement. There wasn't much else he could do, mostly when Mack had a clear shot at his face. He grinned as she put the sunglasses over her eyes. It was odd to see the contrast of her light skin on the dark shades but he said nothing. He listened curiously as Mack spoke about her birthday party.

"Of course I'll be there. Just....Why are you having it so early? Why's your parents acting...er...nice to you? Also, who are you inviting?" Jack shrugged and grinned ruefully. "Sorry with all the questions. Very confused." he shrugged again before ordering another butterbeer. When the glass was slid to him, Jack took a huge gulp and thumped it back on the bar, wondering who would be invited to the party.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack watched him steadily, and was finally able to tear her eyes away when he began to speak. She felt her cheeks get hot, but the blush didn't get dark enough to get revealed. She cleared her throat and thought about his questions, "Well, my mum wants to throw it because she won't see me on my birthday. So...she thinks now is a better time. I suppose."

His next question however was much harder to answer. Why was her mother being nicer to her? She didn't quite know. Except for one thing, "She knows about Claira and she knows how it makes me feel, I guess. It's the only thing I can think of, and I can't just sit there and ask her right out why she is treating me like a daughter. Can I?" Her question, was actually a question. It wasn't rhetorical or anything.

"As for who will be there...so far..you and Maddie. I invited Kris, but he doesn't know. Um, Mary once I get around to asking her...and, there's more, just can't think of them right now..." She answered his last question. And she waved the too many question thing aside and looked at him with a lopsided smile.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack nodded mechanically as Mack attempted to reply to all his questions. It was like she didn't know half of it herself and was trying to figure it out. Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully before turning his eyes up at the ceiling. It wasn't that he didn't want to look at Mack; he wanted time to think without showing it through his eyes. He had a few more questions himself but didn't feel that the time was right to ask her. Since when did her mother care about whether or not she's seen her daughter? Since now. Because of Claira? I suppose. But her dad hates me, how am I supposed to enjoy the party at her house with him snooping around? He might not be snooping. He might just be away himself. Jack shook his head wearily and blinked away the bothersome questions that he was trying to answer himself. He rounded back on Mack thoughtfully when she mentioned who all she was going to invite.

"No Padme I suppose?" he asked with a mischievous smile. He wouldn't tell Padme she hadn't been invited; she would go ballistic. He smirked at Mack and thought about who else she could be inviting. It sounded like she had forgotten half of them or wasn't exactly sure who else there was to invite. "Pyro? You know him well enough I think. After all, he's in our year. What about...hmm..." he paused and thought hard on who else there was. "Oh! What about Cass? She's your friend, isn't she?" Jack hadn't exactly enjoyed his only encounter with Cass but that wasn't his place to stop Mack from inviting her. He twiddled his long hair idly until he frowned and shook his head. He couldn't think of anyone else who Mack knew. He then sat up straighter as a sudden thought hit him.

"Jamie won't be joining, will he?" Jack asked with a suspicious glare Mack's way. He then let his face soften into a smile and he leaned back lazily in his chair. "So, what is expected of me at this party? Is there going to be music? Dancing? Will I have to fit a dress code? Like, wear a proper suit? There's no gymnastics required, correct?" he asked with a teasing glint. He drank his butterbeer fondly and awaited Mack to reply.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack tilted her head back and sighed, "I forgot your sister. Yeah. She's invited, I guess. Dix'll want to see her after all." She answered with slight relunctance. Mack didn't really like Padme, ater all- Mack saw her as a spoilt brat who always got her way. And by Padme getting along with Dixie, that just made things whole lot more worse, "Pryo? Hmm...no. Don't know him too well. Talked to him and such, but haven't really gotten to know him." When Jack mentioned Cass, Mack felt her heart sink. She had wanted to invite her Gryffindor friend, really the only Gryff she would talk to, but she knew that was out of the question.

"Could you see Cass at my house? No. I'm going to her house over the summer holidays, sometime soon, I'll just be with her then. I feel really bad about it though. She is one of my good friends, is she not?" Mack ran her fingers through her hair, and tucked the stray strands behind her ear before listening to him. The question that stumbled upon on Jamie made her scowl at Jack.

"No. He won't be joining. Not as far as I know. Dixie might be a b-witch, and invite him. But I don't think she will." Mack answered with a small shrug and a soft tone of voice. Dix had been there when they had fought, and she had been proud and cocky toward Mack when she had cried. Typical Dixie, Mack hadn't expected anything less. Mack looked at Jack as he asked more questions. She laughed and shoved her sunglasses up and perched them on her head.

His next questions made her laugh; "No. No gymnastics. Though, I would like to see you cheer. Considering you didn't that one day. Um. Music, yes. Dancing, yes. Dress code is formal. Would be very funny, however, if you showed up casual. My parents would flip. I will be wearing this dress...that I like, but will probably end up ruining. Maybe I should ruin it purposely that way I can change into normal clothes. And you are expected to avoid my dad. As much as possible. If need be, run and hide in one of the rooms." Mack smiled, but she was absolutely serious.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smirked. "That's good, I suppose. I wouldn't want to be the one to tell her that she wasn't invited. After all, your one of her favorites, you know." Jack said with slight sarcasm. "You don't have to invite her if you don't want," he added in a slightly worried tone. He didn't want Mack to invite Padme and then not have a good time. He let the smirk fall back into place as he took another sip of butterbeer. "You know how she gets. She'll be in the middle of everything. She'll need as much attention as possible. I'm sure your parents will simply love her." Jack added with a laugh. He hadn't really met the Holdens except for once. It hadn't gone well that time. He washed the thought away before turning back to Mack. She was considering all the people Jack had named off. He was slightly surprised that Pyro was not included. He shrugged, remembering that it was Mack's party but brightened slightly when Mack said that Cass couldn't come. He hoped she hadn't noticed.

"Yeah. I get your point on that one. But, she is a Blackfire now, isn't she?" Jack asked casually, wondering how many more questions Mack could take. He smirked, knowing that he wouldn't be done for a while. He fingered the sweating handle of the glass mug before turning back to Mack and wiping his hand on his jeans. "Good. I don't think I could stand it if Jamie arrived." he smirked - satisfied - before letting his eyes wonder over the last time he had met Jamie. That was when this....relationship...had first started. Jack had to give it to Jamie and Felicity. Maybe they should get together sometime. The thought made him want to chuck up and he was about to mention it to Mack when she spoke up once more. He quieted and listened with a laugh playing across his lips.

"Thank goodness for that. I might have broken my back this time. Last time I got lucky." he paused, considering Mack in a dress. He had only seen her in one before and that was at a stupid tea-party at a racetrack for horses. Jack wasn't a fan of animals to be truthful. He smiled self-consciously and returned his thoughts to the matter at hand. He grinned wickedly as she mentioned that he would have to hide in one of the rooms if Mr. Holden came down. "Of course. I do hope there are many hiding places in your house. Also would I have to hide from you mum too? Or, will she be friendly to me too?" Jack tapped his chin and drank another gulp of butterbeer. He wondered while waiting if he would ever be able to stop drinking it.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack looked at Jack through the corner of her eye then smirked, "No...she should come. Maybe my parent's will love her, then they can have her and I can go live with..." She thought for a moment, "Well, I would be living on the streets then wouldn't I?" Mack smiled and sank lower in her seat, she wanted to fall asleep- considering she hadn't gotten any the night before.

Was it her imagination or did Jack seem to brighten at the idea of Cass not going? Mack shook that off and shrugged, "Yeah. She's a Blackfire." She answered offhandedly. Jack then replied to the fact of Jamie not showing up. She laughed lightly at his remark, "But it would have been so much fun!" She told him with a pretend pout. Though deep down, Mack knew she would have ending up leaving the party. She wouldn't be able to handle it if Jamie showed up.

"You wouldn't have broken your back. I'm quite gifted with putting a cushion underneath your destined falling area." She told him with a smirk. She sighed and closed her eyes a moment, thinking over everything. What was this party going to be like? She wasn't planning it all. Her mother was. And for all Mack knew, her mother was going to make it all girly. So definitely not her. Mack opened her eyes as Jack spoke again, "Believe me. There are many. And then some. And no you shouldn't have to hide from dear old mummy. She should be delighted to meet you...for the fact that I lost Jamie over you." She nodded, "Mum hated Jamie. Maybe didn't hate him. But she hated the way he was always around me. If anything she'll thank you, maybe you'll get a present instead of me."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smiled thoughtfully as Mack said Padme could go. He frowned though when she said that she would be on the streets. "Padme has a house too, you know. A good one considering their situation!" Jack fired at Mack, angry at what she had said. It sounded like she had meant that Padme could live in her house and she could live in Padme's house, which would be the street. Jack felt his anger burn up inside him but he subdued it for now. Maybe he had gotten the wrong point of view with this. Jack took a deep breath and twirled his fingers in his lap slightly angry with himself at his outburst. He was still rather tender about his mother and her current situation. He had even gone so far as to try to speak to his father about her but always caught himself just in time. Jack expression softened considerably when Mack said it would have been fun with Jamie.

"Oh yes. Very fun. I'm sure the neighbors would enjoy our shouting match." Jack said with heavy sarcasm. He would enjoy shouting Jamie down. It was something he had been brought up to do and did well. He smirked happily and crossed his arms over his chest. He let the Cass Blackfire conversation sail away at high winds. He smirked back at Mack when she mentioned the cushion. "Yes. I noticed that last time." he said with a small smile through his smirk. He drank some more butterbeer before turning back to Mack as she said all her hiding places in her house. It sounded like there would be many.

"I don't know. What if he's faster than me?" Jack asked in a mock baby voice before laughing. "I think I can deal with that." he added in his normal tone. He was positive he would be able to do it if that meant keeping Mack out of trouble. He blinked a few times before smiling arrogantly. "I don't know. I usually don't take charity but this could change easily." he smirked before adding, "it depends how big the present is."

[Mackenzie Holden]

An icey glare covered Mack's eyes as Jack snapped at her, "Cool it down. I didn't mean it like that. I'm sure she lives in a nice home, it's probably better than mine in many ways." She told him with a weak smile. Mack looked at her feet as they shuffled back and forth. It hadn't even occurred to her in that way. She hadn't even thought of them switching places, she just meant that Padme would take her place- and she would be homeless. Jack talked about the other things, and Mack looked up at him.

"Is there absolutely nothing you can do?" She asked him quietly. He had helped her through many things, Mack wanted to be able to help him through at least one. He seemed to be very...touchy on the whole Padme subject, and Mack thought she knew why. She only knew a bit of the story and she was certain that there was more to it. Mack bit her lip and looked out the window, "I mean, tell me to shut up if you don't want to talk about the subject. But, it's sometimes good to. You know?"

She ran her fingers through her hair, nervously, and took a deep breath...maybe she should take back the offer to talk. Maybe it would just cause another outburst. Which she was sure she could handle, but didn't want to get kicked out. Mack continued to look out the window, focusing her stare on a flower popping up in the grass across the street from them.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack sighed as Mack explained that wasn't what she meant. Maybe he was becoming paranoid. After his talk with Padme it wouldn't surprise him. He had tried to keep it out of his mind lately and with all Mack's problems out there, he had been trying to help her and that left no time for his own. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He wasn't sure if he was ready to explain this to Mack. He knew that he should; that she would listen. She always told him her problems and he had helped her out of some. He wasn't sure if anything could help him now though. Or Padme. Mostly Padme. He swallowed hard and nodded at Mack. He looked down at the table and tried to think of what he was going to say. It was so confusing and Padme hadn't really explained it to him...

"There is something wrong with Padme and our mother. You know that Cameron guy, right? Well, Tessa divorced him because of him mistreating Padme. It was actually a bad choice though, for the two of them depended on Cameron who brought in lots of money. Padme told me that our mother serves as a waitress now somewhere and that didn't bring in nearly enough money for the house and themselves. Padme thinks it's all her fault; she's not herself anymore. I'm just worried for them. They can't last very long anymore with only waitress money to support them..." Jack frowned and took a glance at Mack, wondering if she understood their dilemma.

"I want to speak to my father but what will he do about it? He'll probably just laugh in my face!" Jack said hotly, mostly to himself and not to Mack. It was like there was no solution to the problem; no way to stop Padme's home from becoming the street. That was why he had gotten so touchy when Mack said that she would be living on the streets if her and Padme switched places.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack listened to Jack, as best as she could. Her eyes never left the flower- which was blossoming slowly, but she saw it. When he was finished...she didn't speak for awhile. Her bangs crossed into her eyes, but she didn't brush them out- it was as if everything was moving in slow motion. The flower continued to bloom, and she watched it with so much interest. Life was sort of like a flower. It's not over until it dies. And even then there is the promise of return. There are times when things went horribly, a weather storm or being trampled on- but it still lived. She was certain Padme would make it through the wind and rain, snow and sleet, but she knew Jack wasn't. Mack moistened her lips and said:

"I have an idea. But it's going to be...well...hard for me to do. And I'll need to speak to Padme about it." She turned to look at Jack, her blue eyes completely serious; "That is...if you want my help." She would completely understand if he didn't want her help. This would mean, Dixie would have to join. And that was what Mack meant by it being hard for her to do. Asking Dix for help with something was going to be the toughest thing in her life, and she knew it. But she also knew the reason she was going to ask for help, was worth it. Mack waited for Jack to either accept or reject her offer to help.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered when she looked down, "Let me reassure you, though, Padme and your mother will make it through this. You'll find a way to help them. Just...don't go too drastic into the measures, okay?"

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack breathed in and out slowly, trying to relax his brain. Mack was saying nothing and was giving him a chance to think. What was he going to do? There was almost no hope; no hope at all. Roger would stuff it all in Jack's face if he told him about it and then probably take Padme away from Tessa too. But, maybe that would be better. Tessa would only have herself to think of and not a child....Jack shook his head sadly. He was so confused. What were they going to do? He was afraid that Padme would do something drastic and cause complete madness. Knowing Padme, it was just on the tip of her tongue. Jack looked down at the wood and became interested in all the different patterns it held. Swirls and lines that created different shapes. He didn't look up when Mack spoke but continued to stare at the shapes, trying to make out what they were. Finally, when Mack was long finished, he looked up slowly.

"Of course I want your help! What's your idea Mack?" he replied, his voice rising hopefully. Maybe Mack could save the day somehow. He looked up at her with a new expression dawning across his face: Hope. He knew that Padme would explode if she heard the he had told Mack; she didn't want people to know she was completely poor and in a completely horrible hole. He smirked at the thought but then looked back at Mack, waiting to see what she had in mind. What she had said before confused him though; what did she mean, it would be hard for her? It was hard for Jack but for Mack? He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest again, wondering what in the world she could have meant. He smiled at Mack's last words though.

"Me do something drastic? I would be more worried about Padme!" he grinned genuinely. Padme was always out there. "I know they would survive and all it's just....they don't deserve this. It's all Roger's fault! He's the one who started this whole fiasco!" Jack breathed in sharply, noticing that his voice had become louder with each word. He calmed his mind before looking at Mack, hoping she hadn't minded how upset he was.