Okay, this whole story might as well be dedicated to UnderlanderfromtheOverland, or however that's written. She's the best. Mack's last name is now Nicardi. Pronounced ni-car-dee.

Onward!

Iggy's POV

I can't get the feel of her in my arms out of my head. Or the way her lips feel under my fingertips when she smiles. Or the way her voice sounded when she described all that to me…

Ugh.

I was whipped.

And what was worse was that I actually liked being whipped.

I heard Mack come out of the bathroom then, could even feel the excess steam roll out. I sighed, laying my head back against the bed.

"Hey," she said casually. How could she not know what she did to me? Those beach bunnies Fang had described had nothing on Mack.

"What time is it?" I asked. My internal clock sort of sensed that darkness had fallen, but it was always nice to know specifics.

"Around eleven," she said. Way to be specific, Mack.

Suddenly I felt something vibrate under my left wing. I yelped and jumped up.

My hand closed around a small, red plastic rectangle. A cell phone. I grinned; having a normal person around was nice.

"Sorry," Mack apologized. As she took the phone from me, her fingers brushed mine, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm.

I shivered a little as she squealed.

"What?" I asked and a button was pushed.

"Hello? Austin?" She gasped. Oh. She was talking to another friend.

The one dating a slut, if I remembered correctly.

I could easily hear what Austin was saying. Thank you enhanced hearing!

"Hey Mack-aroni!" The voice was deep…and kinda giddy.

Mack laughed at the silly nickname. "What's going on?"

"HA! What's going on! She wants to know what's going on." Austin laughed hysterically. I could just make out others doing so as well in the background.

"Austin?" Mack asked, now sounding worried.

"Yes?" He cooed and I almost gagged. She wasn't a puppy dog.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Course I am," this time the boy's words were slurred.

Silence and then, "Austin James, are you drunk?" Mack used a stern, maternal tone I'd only ever heard used by Max.

"Baby, we're all drunk," Austin giggled.

Anger flared up inside me, along with jealousy, disgust, and protectiveness. This little punk had just called my Mack baby.

Whoa. My Mack? Where had that come from?

Besides, for all I knew, she was his Mack. His territory.

I shook my head a little to clear it. Damn bird genes messing with my head again.

"Don't call me that, Austin," Mack snapped. My heart soared.

"Sorry, Mack," Austin said in a much feebler tone.

"Now who are you with, Aussie?" She asked in a much softer tone.

"Darryl, Greg, and Hobie," after each name a rather crude greeting was called.

Idiots.

I heard Mack gasp loudly. "The jocks? Austin, are you insane? First the bee-yatch Cara and now those jerks?"

"You're on speaker, you know." Austin said and Mack swore loudly.

"Where are you, Austin? Does your mother know?" She asked.

I sighed.

Mothers were overrated.

"McGregor's Pond. Mom thinks I'm spending the night with Hobie." Austin answered.

"Dude, you are technically." A voice called. I assumed it was Hobie.

"I'll be there in five minutes, Austin, you got that? Don't leave." She instructed in a steely tone and I gasped.

She was going after this dumbass?!

"I'll go with you," I said instantly.

I felt her walk a few steps forward, then felt her hand on mine. She placed it on top of her head-man, her hair was soft-and I felt her nod.

I smiled.

"Yeah, I understand, Mom," Austin grumbled.

Mack let out a muffled whimper.

Huh? What happened?!

"Oh, shit. Sorry Mack, I didn't mean to-" Austin started to say, but Mack cut him off.

"It's fine. No biggie. Just stay there, alright? I'm coming. Bye." And she hung up quickly.

"You okay?" I asked warily. What had that been about?

"Fine. Just needed to clear my throat," she shrugged.

Clear her throat?

Yeah.

I'll believe that when dogs sprout wings.

Wait…..

I was going to end this chapter here…..but the next one isn't much longer, so I'll combine them. Okie dokie?

Mack's POV

"I can't believe him! What's gotten into him?" I grumbled.

We had ended up deciding not to take the van. Fang might freak to wake up and find it gone.

Though why he'd be in the parking lot looking for the van at eleven thirty at night is beyond me.

So now we had to walk all the way to McGregor's Pond.

I was going to kill Aussie. It was just my fifth night with the flock, and my friends were already screwing around, making bad impressions.

I sighed; everyone, it seemed, had changed this past year.

"Wouldn't it be faster to fly?" Iggy asked.

"You can't see where your going, and I have no idea how to give aerial directions." I pointed out. Iggy sulked a bit at that.

We didn't talk much the rest of the way.

When had life become so complicated? Five days ago was the obvious answer, but I knew better. Life had always been complicated. For me anyway.

"Austin?" I called when we got to the pond.

Lots of laughter from somewhere, then silence.

"Austin?" I called again.

"Mack!" Cam Austin's voice and suddenly I was being crushed to death.

Jesus! When had he gotten so tall? He was taller even than me now, and he'd let his sandy hair grow out.

I shook my head a little. Somewhere in there was my little science geek that used to come over every Saturday to watch Charmed re-runs. Right?

He pulled away to grin clumsily at me. Idiot.

"Okay, Austin, Hobie, let's get yo guys home." I sighed.

Iggy gave me a small smile. I hugged him on impulse. He stiffened in surprise, then wrapped his arms around me.

"Thanks, for this," I whispered.

"Life was getting too dull, anyway." He chuckled.

Turns out getting two drunk teenagers home unnoticed was easer said than done.

And the lights were on in the Health Clinic.

So, there's that. I'm skipping Friday and moving right along to the day of the party. Nothing happens-nothing important, anyway. So, reviews????