A/N: Hello people! This is my first WIP for Dark Angel, and I'm planning on it to not be very long. 10 or 12 chapters. But of course, that can change…

Dedicated to all my beloved reviewers. ((Gives huggles)) Your reviews make my day.

Disclaimer: Don't own anything. This plot is loosely based on Lyra Silvertongue2's 'Trick Stair', a HP D/Hr fic.

Chapter 1: Scheming Whatsits

Original Cindy, Sketchy and Normal watched interestedly as Max walked into Jam Pony, late, as per usual. Close on her tail was Alec, spouting the smart alec comments he was named after with that adorably Alec grin that made the girls swoon and their hearts melt.

There was a noise behind O.C., and something wet dropped onto the newly manicured hand that was resting upon the counter. Pulling away, she swiped at it and looked up. She noted with no end of disgust that Normal was drooling, and she promptly slapped the sides of his face to get him focused again.

"Normal! Drag your eyes off ma baby boo and ma homegirl's boy. And tha drool ain't attractive on a guy your age."

He smiled sheepishly and wiped his chin with the back of his hand, still completely unable to drag his eyes off of Alec.

Sketchy grinned stupidly as he watched the pair go over to Max's locker. The grin soon turned into a grimace as Max hit Alec on the shoulder, none too lightly.

"Uh, Normal ol' buddy? Think it's time to send in the troops."

It took another slap around the face and a threat of, "You don stop drooling over ma baby boo I put the smack down on your ass," made by O.C. to get Normal to fully come back to his senses.

Normal winced slightly before getting on with their 'plan'. Well, to be more exact, it was O.C.'s and Sketchy's plan. He hadn't wanted anything to do with it. But when confronted with a pissed off and probably PMSing ex-military officer, it would considerably have shortened his life span to say, "No."

Gulping, he yelled, "Hey, Missy miss! Golden boy! Got something for the bot of you!"

Max stamped over to the counter, granting only a strained smile to O.C., Alec trailing behind her.

"What is it, Normal?" She snapped, obviously on the end of a short tether.

Sketchy grimaced. If she was in this mood, who knows what she would do if they carried out their plan?

Normal seemed to have sensed it too, and was sending quick, scared looks Cindy's way, who was doing an admirable job of ignoring it.

"Um, I need you and golden boy to go into the storage room for me and get me a package."

Max's eyes narrowed. "And it needs two people, why?" She asked suspiciously.

"Is'a big package, boo," The African American lied smoothly, inspecting her nails in a disinterested way, "Big package."

"Then why can't I do it with O.C.?" Max pushed, not wanting to believe anything.

"Cause… O.C. and I have a hot run," Sketchy stalled, grabbing a random package near the counter. He peered at the label, "For old Fogle towers."

Max threw her hands up in exasperation and sighed. "Fine, fine. C'mon smart ass."

Little did Max know that the trio was following behind her and Alec, waiting for that time just when…

"NOW!" O.C. yelled as Max and Alec disappeared into the storage closet. Before the transgenics could register what was going on, they had been barricaded into the closet from the outside.

"What the hell?" Alec swore, fiddling with the knob. He turned towards Max. "I can't get it open!"

"O.C.!" Max hollered, banging against the door, "Let me out!"

Her companion looked at her in mock hurt. "What about me?"

"What about you?"

"N'way you two are comin' out o' there now, boo. You two is stayin' in there 'til Original Cindy's boos sort out them differences. See youse guys later."

Max heard her walking away from the door and sat down on one of the cardboard boxes.

"Scheming Whatsits."

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