Okay, most of this is going to be filler, except for the tiny part that's Mack's POV at the end. Something is going to happen that is going to make no sense at all, but is going to start something huge.

Yeah. That wasn't vague at all.

Max's POV

"Hey, Max," Mack said with a coy little smile, "I can find one of these in your size. If you want."

I glanced at the piece of clothing she held and made a face. "No thanks."

She grinned. "Okay then."

So far, her wardrobe consisted of tight, major ripped jeans, slinky cleavage revealing tops, and even slinkier dresses. She'd bought a couple pairs of fishnet tights and high heels too.

No wonder she was Iggy's soul mate.

"Does that little piece of cloth actually qualify as a dress?" I asked in exasperation.

"Yep." She grinned happily.

I looked at Fang, who rolled his eyes.

We were on our way back to the hotel, loaded down with shopping bags. Iggy and Gasman hadn't taken long, but Mack…

Well, I was glad to be going to a room with a bed.

"Oooh, young bride, young bride!" The receptionist lady squealed.

She was still convinced I was on a honeymoon?!

"Um, I'm not-" I started, but she cut me off.

"Here! This is to congratulate you." She said, and thrust a huge box of chocolate covered strawberries in my arms.

Who was I to turn down free food?

"Thanks." I said, and tried to give her a genuine smile. These bags were so heavy they had probably cut circulation off a long time ago.

"Oh! Where is your ring?" She asked in concern, staring down at my left hand.

Iggy and Nudge snickered. Angel giggled.

"It's being fitted." Fang lied.

I gaped at him as the woman's expression cleared and she congratulated us again.

"You should both kiss under this tree. It's good luck. We get lots of honeymooners here." She gestured toward a tree by the fountain.

"Oh, no, we're really tired and-" I began to protest as Iggy practically went into convulsions.

"Come on, Max, it's tradition." Mack wheedled, and I gave her the death glare.

"Yeah, Max." Angel giggled. Gasman made a face.

I handed my bags to Nudge and locked my jaw. All I wanted to do was eat my strawberries and go to bed. Was that too much to ask?

They cheered. I walked stiffly over to the indicated tree with Fang.

I was vaguely aware of the flock getting out a camera. They were so dead.

But I took one look at Fang and melted. He pulled me to him by the arms and smashed his mouth against mine. If it hadn't felt so good, it would've been painful.

I sighed a little and wrapped my arms around his shoulders. He grinned against my lips, and I traced the outline of his smile with my tongue.

The receptionist lady cheered, as did her ensemble of coworkers. I pulled back, putting my forehead against Fang's and panting a little.

"Alright. Thanks again. Night." I said, waving as the elevator doors slid closed.

"It's moments like that when I wish I wasn't blind." Iggy chortled.

"Why did you tell her the ring was being fitted?" I asked Fang.

"Because I love you. Marry me for real, Max!" Gasman pleaded in Fang's voice.

Fang glared at him. He smiled innocently.

"Because it'll cover our tracks better if we all have multiple characters. You're not a student here. You're a newlywed." Fang shrugged nonchalantly.

"Uh huh." Mack said disbelievingly.

"Chocolate strawberry time!" Nudge crowed as soon as Angel had slid the key card into the little slot.

Let the fun begin.

Mack's POV

"How long do you think it'll take him to resurface a second time?" I whispered to Iggy. The kids had long since gone to bed, utterly exhausted from the long plane ride, then the shopping excursion. It was three am.

Max and Fang had been making out in the corner, aided by the strawberries in fascinating ways, for the last half hour. Fang's breathing record was three minutes, so far.

"I say two minutes, fourteen seconds." Iggy whispered back. "Judging by the way Max's breathing is labored."

I giggled quietly.

A flash of movement caught my eye outside the window. I rushed over to it, throwing it open.

The most beautiful white swan soared above the flashy buildings of Tokyo. The moonlight shown on it's wings. It was the most majestic thing I'd ever seen.

"Oh, my God, you guys have to see this." I gasped.

Max and Fang came rushing over, obviously expecting trouble of some sort. Iggy stood up, looking ready to fight if need be, but not too worried.

"Um…what are we supposed to be looking at?" Max asked, peering over my shoulder.

The swan dived, then rose back up again.

"How can you not see that?!" I gasped.

"You mean that man getting mugged down there? Yeah, it's pretty funny." Fang nodded. I glanced downwards.

Indeed, there was a man being mugged.

"No-" I began to say, but Fang and Max were already going at it again.

I sat by the window, staring at the swan only I could see and wondering what it meant, until Iggy came to me and suggested we follow in Max and Fang's footsteps.

Yeah, that was really short. I like it, though. There's a tiny bit of Fax, and the random mention of a phantom swan. What does it mean? Is Mack going insane or is it something psychic?

Find out next time on Confidence Trick!

Ha-ha. I love using a show-host voice.

Review please!