A/N I have a three day weekend so you're gonna see a lot more updates coming from me, starting now. Hey, I need constructive criticism on character development. I'm still working on background, so stick around and you'll find out. I thought I'd do a disclaimer: I do not own "The Joker" by Steve Miller Band, which is referenced a couple of times in the previous chapter, one playing in the background, and the other when Macey calls Jackie "Space Cowboy." There will be more bantering/playfulness/friendship between Jackie and Macey in this chapter.

Anyways… Sit back, grab a Krabby Patty, and enjoy the ride!

"Better leave her behind, the kids are alright"- The Who, "The Kids Are Alright."

Chapter Fifteen - Tough Break (Episode 8, part 1)

It was clear that Jackie was exhausted. He was slumping on the couch, his head resting against the side and using his hand as a pillow. I smiled. Awww. Sleeping Jackie was so sweet.

"Hey! Macey!," I heard a whisper behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see Jade holding a feather in her hand.

My eyes widened. "Oh no." I'd experienced this prank at sleepovers- an innocent sleeping teenager became a victim of the-hand-in-water prank, followed by an unexpected, frantic trip to the bathroom, or smearing whipped cream all over the couch. (I'd gotten sent home from Laura Inkles's house after that one- her $100 leather couch had been ruined.)

An evil smirk tugged at Jade's lips. "Oh yes," she said in a low voice, and I covered my mouth to keep from laughing. "You take the feather, I get the whipped cream."

"Oh, Jade, don't," I hissed as she scurried into the next room. "Where's...Uncle." I sighed, looking down. Jackie breathed in, his chest (which was huge- Jesus Christ) moving steadily with the motion. A few seconds later, Jade returned grasping a bottle of whipped cream. I don't understand the hype about whipped cream- why was everyone so obsessed with it? I preferred sugar...anyways I missed my point.

As Jade poured whipped cream on Jackie's dangling hand, I tickled his nose with the feather. His nose twitched like a bunny's, and he automatically reached up, rubbing the irritated area with clear annoyance- only to smear whipped cream on his nose.

While Jade burst out laughing, Jackie shot up, touching his nose in curiosity.

"Jade- whaa?" Surprised Jackie was even more endearing.

"It was...her!" Jade was kneeling back in laughter, pointing her index finger in my direction.

Jackie's gaze darted to me, and I backed up, my hands in surrender. "I didn't do anything!" I began in protest. "I swear…"

Jackie swiped at his nose, sniffing, only to get more whipped cream on his pants.

He looked at me. "That's right," he said lowly, "you didn't do anything." Before I could defend myself again, he had me on the floor, tickling my sides. I tried kicking at his chest, but he was too broad and strong for me to release myself.

"Okay, okay!" My sides and under arms were each very ticklish. But I hated being tickled- it made me feel...vulnerable, I guess?

"Okay, Uncle!" I exclaimed, panting.

Jackie looked around. "Where?" I took this opportunity to crawl out from underneath him, hopping onto the couch.

"The floor is lava!" I looked over my shoulder, expecting Jackie to be angry with me, but instead, he was lying on the floor, laughing.

"Jade, I expected to participate in prank...but you start a prank?" He clutched his sides as he laughed.

I looked at Jade, who shrugged, and my gaze darted to Jackie. His laughter was contagious- I couldn't help but start laughing, too.

I finally broke our giggling fit and extended my hand, helping Jackie up. He took it and gratefully stood.

"Well, we should...get ready for bed?" I suggested, seeing as it was beginning to grow dark out, the only light the twinkling, silver stars.

As Jackie and I scrubbed what was left of the whipped cream off the couch, I said, "So...you're not mad at me?"

Jackie looked up, fixated on me. "Angry? No. Actually, I thank you."

"Uh...why?" Any normal human being would be slightly annoyed that their sleep was interrupted, especially after blowing up a building and going into combat with an ancient dragon villain. But then again, things had not been as ordinary since I came to Chinatown.

Jackie smiled. "Thanks to you, I've had the best laugh I've had in awhile. You have made me feel better about this whole thing."

I smiled. I couldn't have been that great.

But it was nice to know you made someone feel good.

*JCA*

I awoke to hear Jackie scolding Jade about something already. I was still in my sleep-ridden state, so it was difficult to tell if I was dreaming or if this was reality.

Still trying to figure out what planet I was on, I groggily walked into what turned out to be Jade's room across the hall, nearly tripping over something. "Ow," I said sleepily, looking down at the offending object. A Lego was on the floor.

Rubbing my eyes, I looked up to see Jade playing with a monster toy in the corner.

"...CRASH!" She made a sound effect noisily as the two toys collided with each other.

"Another train wreck, Jackie?" Jade glanced up, her eyes appearing innocent. Indeed, he did appear tired and scruffy, with dust marks on his shirt and a hole in his khaki pants.

"I was going to ask the same thing, Jade," Jackie replied tiredly. "Do baboons live here?"

"Jackie, can I get another toy?" Jade held up the monster plush. "If I get another Gnome-"

"You already have a Gnome," Jackie said flatly.

"What's a Gnome?" I was wide awake now, my blurry vision clearing up.

"All the kids collect them- But if I get another Gnome, they can fight each other!" Jade looked up with hopeful eyes. "Please Jackie, please?"

"No," Jackie said affirmably.

"Hurricane Jade strikes again, leaving no survivors," I said flatly, leaning against the doorway. My airways were slightly blocked- I was having a tough time getting air through my lungs to my nose. Maybe I needed my inhaler more than I thought. I usually had a tough time breathing after I slept too much, though…. What time is it, anyways?

"Very funny," Jackie muttered, giving me a weird look.

"You really should pick up your things, Jade." I knelt down, plucking the murderous Lego off the floor and throwing it in her toy box. "It keeps people from getting hurt. Not to mention maturity."

"Chinese proverb?" Jade blinked at me, unamused.

"Nope," I said with a grin. "Advice from Macey. Now, clean up your-"

I heard Jackie let out a resounding yelp, followed by a CRASH.

I covered my eyes with my fingers. "That did not...sound good."

"Gnome? Jackie!" Jade dropped her toy and ran to her uncle. "Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes. Jackie was lying on the floor beside Jade's toy, clutching his leg and moaning in obvious pain.

I put my palm to my forehead.

Looks like we had to take a trip to the ER.