A/N Here's a response to some of my reviews! :D

Omnitrix 12: Thanks for the kind review! I'm doing well, how are you? Coming up with some new material that I'm excited about!

Doc Solf: *cringes* So yeah, right after I published the story I was like "Oh shit, they're actually in San Francisco, right?" So I went back and edited. This will not be a Mary Sue or a self-insert (I can't stand those either tbh), and you will not be disappointed!

Devildog452: Yes I am going to continue. I didn't feel much confidence about this story originally but I am not going to abandon Macey.

Here we go with the first chapter, or episode 1!

"Long journeys wear me out, but there ain't nothing I can do about it"- The Only Ones, "Another Girl, Another Planet."

Chapter One- Part 1

The Dark Hand

I woke up to the sound of Uncle yelling. I cursed to myself under my breath. Did he ever stop yelling?

Realizing going back to sleep obviously wasn't an option, I rolled out of bed and changed into a black hoodie with a star on the front, white jeans, and Converse. I pulled my hair into a simple braid and tossed it over my right shoulder before walking down the steps.

"Good morning," Jackie said, and I nodded, smiling.

"Good morning."

"How did you sleep?" Jackie leaned against the wall, stretching out his legs.

"It was the best sleep I've had in awhile," I said. "Better than in New York."

Jackie nodded. "That's good news." The awkward silence between us was broken by Uncle ambling into the room.

He gave me a simple nod, his way of saying hello, and turned to Jackie. "Come, give Uncle a hug."

Glancing at me momentarily, Jackie shrugged, then opened his arms and stepped toward Uncle, only to be smacked on the back of the head.

"Owww!" Jackie moaned, rubbing where he'd been slapped.

"You did not make coffee this morning," Uncle snapped, wagging his finger at Jackie. "Coffee is the only thing that is keeping Uncle's ancient heart beating. You want dead Uncle?! No! Then you make coffee!"

I grinned, finding their exchanges amusing. "I'll make coffee, Uncle."

"Wise girl," Uncle said, then clucked his tongue at Jackie. "You follow Macey's footsteps, Jackie."

Jackie looked at me, cringing slightly, and I smirked.

"One more thing," Uncle added, and Jackie and I both groaned audibly, "You receive phone call from the university. They want you to translate parchments."

"Okay," Jackie agreed lightly, turning to go.

They seem like father and son, I thought, their quarreling seemingly similar to my family's.

"One more thing," Uncle continued, squinting his eyes at Jackie. "I cannot read these inscriptions." He picked up a white piece of parchment paper and adjusted his glasses for emphasis. "Very old writing. I must go in back to get my journals."

"Okay," Jackie and I repeated.

"One more thing!" Uncle yelled, and I slapped my hand against my forehead.

"What!" I groaned.

Uncle shot me a disapproving look before turning back to Jackie. They are definitely father and son, I decided mentally.

"This is Jade, your niece." I gasped, looking up, and saw that a small Chinese girl, maybe eleven years old, wearing an orange sweatshirt, jeans, and tennis shoes, standing between Jackie and I. In her hand was a suitcase. "She will live with you for a year. Okay?"

"You have a niece?" I asked, at the same time Jackie exclaimed "I have a niece?!"

"How could you not know you had a niece?" It was a genuine question, considering I- and most people- were aware of many of their family members, even nieces and nephews.

"Nobody asked me!" Jackie looked like he was about to bolt.

"Did not want to bother you," Uncle said simply, as if this explained everything. Now, you both get acquainted while I go do work."

"But I don't know anything about children," Jackie protested, putting his palm to his forehead. Uncle had already disappeared from the room, leaving all three of us in shock together.

Deciding this was family matters, I took out my cell phone and texted my mom to let her know I was safe in San Francisco.

"Uh, hello," I heard Jackie say softly. "I am Jackie."

Jade stared up at him, no response uttered.

"Hm," Jackie hummed. "No English." He knelt down, glanced over at me, then said, "Ni hao ma?" ("How are you?")

Suddenly, the door chimed, signaling a customer had arrived.

"Welcome to Uncle's Rare Finds!" Jackie stood up, smiling and preparing to help customers. "How can I help you?"

I knelt down, attempting conversation with Jade. "Your name is Jade?" I said slowly, hoping she spoke English. She was too cute. I had always had a love for children, probably since I was an only child growing up and the closest thing I had to a little brother was my cousin.

"Yeah, that's me," Jade said, and I noticed she spoke English clearly, without a trace of an accent. "I'm Jackie's niece. I'm not exactly here willingly."

"Oh." I didn't exactly know how to respond to this. I knew many children were sent to live with other family members against their will, whether it be to fix their attitude or for emergencies. "Well, you don't know," I said, smiling. "Once you get settled in, you may find that you like it." I winked at her. "I know I do already." Jade sighed, and I stood up, facing Jackie.

A group of burly, tall men with tattoos were standing across from Jackie's desk.

"You're Jackie Chan, the archaeologist?" One of them, a guy with bright orange hair (dyed…?) proposed.

"Heh." Jackie crossed his arms over his chest. "I dabble in the study of past civilizations."

A sort of light bulb went off in my head. Holy crap! He was Jackie Chan, the famous martial artist. How could I have not known this? I mentally kicked myself for being so stupid. Don't act dumb!

"Well," the man with orange hair said, shifting his weight, "we are aware that you recently 'dabbled' a shield from a Bavarian castle."

Jackie squinted at the thugs, as if confirming to himself that they were dangerous. (Somehow, I'd watched enough James Bond movies to know this was true.) "I'm sorry." He feigned sympathy. "I already donated that piece to the university." He had not donated that piece to the university- as I saw a piece of what looked like an orange shield sticking out from behind the desk. But the thugs were either too self-endulged or failed to notice.

"Really?" The orange-haired man smirked before grabbing a piece of pottery off the shelf, holding it in his hand and threatening to throw it onto the ground, "It would be in your family's best interests to undonate the shield, Mr. Chan." Jackie had managed to quickly grab the pottery from him. "By this time tomorrow," the orange-haired man finished, a sort of confirming, self-satisfied tone to his voice.

The thugs then turned to go, and disappeared out the door.

"I have a feeling those were customers that weren't welcomed," I said, sitting on the counter across from Jackie.

"You're not wrong." Jackie rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "We definitely must keep an eye on them." He picked up a cup of water from the side of the desk and sipped it.

"Got it!" I nodded. Note to self: keep a watch for any guys with orange hair and tattoos.

Jade looked me up and down, squinting. Her scrutiny made me uncomfortable, so I looked back down at my phone and sighed. Still no reply from Mom. She must be busy.

"Are you Jackie's girlfriend?'' Jade asked at last, tapping her shoed foot on the ground.

I dropped my phone, and Jackie spat out his water, gasping for air.

"No no no!" He waved his arms around vigorously. "No relationship. Just friends!"

"We just met yesterday," I said defensively, grumbling to myself and picking my (thankfully) untracked phone off the floor. The screen was still perfect.

"You speak English?" Jackie pointed a finger at Jade.

"You just assumed I didn't," she scoffed, leaving Jackie staring at her in surprise.

"Hmm." Jade rolled her eyes and hopped up on the counter next to me. "Whatcha doing?"

"Texting my Mom." I showed her the brightly lit screen. "She hasn't replied, though."

Jade shrugged.

So far, my visit in San Francisco had been interesting.

Just a few moments later, Uncle arrived home. I wondered where he worked but decided against asking, out of privacy reasons, and it would seem slightly strange. I was just a guest there, after all.

Jackie told Uncle about the suspicious customers.

"Did they buy anything?" Uncle asked, and I snorted, causing Jade to giggle.

"No," Jackie said uncertainly.

"You are terrible salesman!" Uncle scoffed.

"Jackie, those customers did seem a bit suspicious," I said. "Like they want something more than just a shield out of you."

Jackie leaped up from the counter.

"Jade, you stay with Uncle," he told Jade.

"Aww!" Jade pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why can't I come?"

"Dangerous," Jackie answered simply. "Macey, you come with me. Uncle can watch the shop."

I nodded, then followed Jackie outside. I had to run to keep up with his long stride.

"Not being rude or anything," I panted, jogging, "but why am I needed? Am I your partner?"

"You could say that." He kept looking ahead, his eyes fixated on something only he could see.

I grinned. This is too cool! I couldn't wait to tell Mom about being Jackie Chan's partner once I got back to NYC.

I saw a black limo pulling around the corner. "Look!" I jerked my thumb in the direction of the fancy vehicle. "I think this is a good time to run." I started jogging again, even though my sides were beginning to ache.

"Bad day," I heard Jackie mutter before racing to my side.

We slowed to a stop, panting heavily, at the corner. "Should have...brought...water…," I mumbled to myself, licking my dry lips. The sun beat down on my back, my sweatshirt sticking to my skin. I regretted wearing black.

Jackie stepped out in front of the car, and it came to a halt. He skidded across the hood of the car, leaving a dent in it.

He grinned at me. "Heh," he said sheepishly. "That will buff it right out!"

A couple of guys dressed in black pulled me into the car. I kicked and struggled, even biting one of them on the hand.

"Hey!" My voice was muffled against the back of the foamy seat. "Let me go! I said let me go!"

"I'm sorry I have to do this," a deep voice said, and I felt something bang against my head, and my world faded to black…

I woke up to the sound of Jackie groaning.

I shot up. "What the-" I nearly banged my head on the ceiling, and realized I was lying on a table. "Help!" I shrieked, sitting up. "Aliens!" Was I being abducted by aliens and in a UFO?

"Not aliens!" Jackie hissed.

"Oh." My heart slowed down. "That's a good thing, I guess," I muttered. "Better than the alternative."

The same bald man was standing by the table.

"Augustus Black! What are you doing here?" Jackie shot up, banging his head on the low ceiling. "Ow! What are we doing here?"

"I'm afraid it's official business, my friend," Augustus Black said smoothly.

"I didn't think these were your back-up singers," Jackie chuckled earnestly, gesturing to his thugs. "Where have you been? I don't hear for you for six years….Boom!" He gestured wildly. "You're in San Francisco saving my butt. Oi," he muttered, rubbing his head, "those thugs must have knocked us out…"

August Black's gaze traveled to me, and it wasn't scary, but my heart did start beating faster. "And who is this young lady?"

"That is Macey." Jackie swung his legs over the table. "She is a new assistant at the shop."

I snorted. "Close enough," I agreed flatly. I didn't feel like explaining myself anyway.

"Actually, I knocked you out," Augustus Black added, nodding at Jackie.

Jackie stood. "Maybe I see you in another 6 year."

He started to walk toward the steps. I hurriedly followed him, confused, but wanting to leave as quickly as possible.

"Jackie, what's wrong?" I was tired of being left in the dark and not knowing what was going on. I was twenty years old and wanted to be involved in things for once- I was no longer some naive woman who needed to be saved. Being partners with Jackie would prove that I could work with others, yet be independent at the same time. I felt a sudden pride at this growing realization.

"He has no right to knock me out!" Jackie said wildly. "Or you!"

I shot him a look. "I'm fine."

Before he could protest or interrupt, Augustus Black appeared on the sidewalk where we were standing.

"How did you get down here?" I demanded, hooking my thumbs in my jeans belt and cocking my hip to the side.

Augustus Black shrugged. "The stairs," he answered nonchalantly.

A young, black-haired girl came riding past us on a scooter. "Jackie! Macey!"

"Who is that?" Augustus Black shot a concern glance in Jackie's direction.

"No relation," Jackie stated. I punched him in the arm. He grabbed me in a headlock.

"Ow!" I struggled against his weight.

"You not mess with Jackie, huh?" I heard laughter in his voice and realized he was joking. I tittered, breathing a sigh of relief as he released me from his grasp. I rubbed my arms. He was stronger than I thought.

Once Jackie had managed to calm his temper, Augustus Black led us back inside.

I started to speak, but heard footsteps.

All three of us turned around to see Jade standing in the doorway.

"Jade," I said. "This is dangerous."

"You sound like Jackie," she scoffed, but gave me an innocent smile that I couldn't resist laughing at.

"Young lady!" Augustus Black accused. "How did you get in here?"

Jade glanced over her shoulder. "The stairs."

I laughed. "Smart kid."

"Jade, these people are my friends," Jackie reassured her, noticing the concerned look on her face.

"Your 'friends' knocked you out and took you to a super secret underground base?" Jade quipped.

"Yes," Jackie and I said in unison.

"America is. So. Cool!" Jade grinned, and I couldn't hide my smile.

"Care to explain how our security was penetrated by a child?" Black's voice was tainted with annoyance.

"Your security must not be very tight, then," I said, and Black glared at me.

"I'm not a child!" Jade insisted. "I'm Jackie's niece."

"Didn't know you had a niece, Jackie," Augustus Black hummed, slightly amused.

"Join the club," Jackie muttered, and I smiled.

"Poor Jackie," I said.

"Bad day," Jackie grumbled, looking down.

Jade looked up at the ceiling. "Uncle's up there, huh?"

You mean...this underground base is situated underneath the shop? That is pretty cool.

"You speak English?" Jackie said, kneeling down next to Jade.

"You know I do!" Jade pouted, her voice pitching into a whine.

"So, what part of 'go to your room' do you not understand?" Jackie's voice filled with exasperation.

"Aww, let me help!" Jade proclaimed. "Uncle's my uncle too...I think…,"

"Let me handle this," I said in a low voice.

"Come with me, Jade." I tugged at Jade's sweater. "I'll show you back."

"Okay," Jade sighed, a defeated expression on her face.

We walked back up the steps. I later learned that the shop was, indeed, located above the underground base.

"I like America," Jade said. "But Jackie? He's kind of a stick in the mud. So far I can tell he won't let me do anything."

I smiled, pausing at the top of the staircase. "Once you're a little older, you can do more things, like explore with Jackie, or help out in the store."

"I already sit at the store," Jade complained. "It's so boring. I have to sit behind a dusty counter all day. Plus Uncle is loud, and not to mention he smells like garlic bread."

I had to snicker at the 11-year-old's accurate description of the shop owner.

"Just give it a chance," I said, kneeling down, "and you may like it."

"Are you staying with us?" I nodded. "Cool."

"So, promise to stay in your room?" I asked.

"Scout's honor." She crossed her fingers over her chest in a scout symbol.

"Good." I nodded again, before bounding down the steps. Jackie and his crew awaited me.

"Tch," Jade Chan clucked, leaning against the wall, "like I'm a scout…"