A/N So, you're all probably wondering why I changed the title. It's because the original title ("Jackie Chan Adventures, as told by Macey) doesn't seem very fitting anymore, because the POV's change throughout the story, between Jackie, Macey, and Jade, both third person and first person. "Anything But Ordinary" seems more fitting, don't you think? Tell me your opinions on the title change!

Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures. I only own Macey. It would be nice if you didn't sue.

"Run and tell all of the angels

This could take all night

Think I need a devil

To help me get things right

Hook me up a new revolution

'Cause this one is a lie

We sat around laughing

And watch the last one die"-

Foo Fighters, "Learn to Fly."

Chapter Thirteen - Shanghai Moon (season 2, episode 7, part 1)

I flexed my stiff, numb fingers over the keyboard. I'd just spent approximately three hours on my columns. I'd previously helped Uncle do what he called "spring cleaning", which included re-arranging furniture, for some unknown reason. My body ached with tiredness and my muscles felt like a pretzel, and I probably didn't look a sight better. All I wanted was to take a two-hundred year nap. (Yes, I know that's dramatic, but when you're as tired as I was, that's really all you looked forward to.)

So far, my accounts had been of the missions I'd gone on with Jackie, and how the adventures had become the norm. I'd also taken my parental position with Jade into account.

I smiled as I got up from the spinny office chair. She'd probably be happy to know she'd been mentioned in a newspaper column.

Yawning, I grabbed my cell phone off the table and plugged it into the charger, checking the voice message box.

"4 unseen messages," the robotic voice informed me, and I pressed the play button.

Telemarketer. Prank call. Junk mail offer. Missed call from- I squinted at the blue-ish silver-tinted screen- "Mom." I frowned and tapped on the text message, opening the file. Mom hardly ever texted. Dad didn't either. The only time Dad touched a cell phone was if someone was dead or dying. Had there been an emergency back home I hadn't been alerted about? No, Mom would be sure to call if someone had been hurt. My overactive imagination began to make up doom-impending scenarios in my head.

Gnawing on the inside of my cheek, I read the text message silently, taut with anxiety.

Inbox: (1 unread message, from "Mom.")

Hi, honey. I know you're probably busy with your new job and all, but your dad and I would love it dearly if you flew back to NYC and spent a week with us before you hurry back to work. You're a busy girl, we know, but we'd love to hear about your work. Please give us a call.

Xoxo,

Mom.

I bit my lip, a sliver of amusement tugging at me. I knew Dad had no idea she'd sent that text.

My thumb hovered hesitantly over the call button, before finally pressing it.

She answered on the third ring. "Hello?" Her voice was echoey, and there was faint music playing in the background, with clinks of glasses and crowd chatter.

"Are you at a...party?" Mom wasn't a recluse, but she definitely wasn't a social butterfly, either.

Mom chuckled. "Don't be so surprised," she teased. "I get out every once in awhile, you know."

My cheeks reddened, and I was glad she couldn't see me. "I'll call again later, if you're busy-"

"No, no." She laughed, then lowered her voice and admitted, "Actually, you saved me. Your father dragged me along to the most boring party ever. I was just in the bathroom hiding out." We both shared a laugh at that.

"Dad's at a party?" That, on the other hand, didn't surprise me. While Dad wasn't at all popular, he knew a lot of people, and often got invited to fancy places just because a lot of people knew him.

"It's for his work," Mom said cheerfully, although there was a hint of tiredness in her undertone. "He got a big raise and they're now they're thinking of moving him to manager." Dad worked at a bank, a nice one at that. "Speaking of work, how's yours going?"

"Going just fine," I replied, wincing as my hand went numb. "I've been writing all day. I'm so tired."

"Being an adult isn't all that it's cracked up to be, is it?" She laughed again. "Really. Are you enjoying it?"

"I am," I reassured her. "I am, I promise. You know how much I love writing."

"Are they treating you okay over there?" The concerned-parent tone became evident in her voice.

I allowed my head to slump against the wall. "Of course they are. I've even made a new friend here. He's helped me a lot." I chose to leave out the part about the demons. I didn't want to give my mom an ulcer, after all. Either that or she'd call a psychiatrist.

"He?" I could almost see her eyebrow raise with the said inquisition. "A boy, huh? Tell me more."

"Mom." I groaned, tiredness creeping over me again. "We're just friends. I don't even know him like that."

"Uh-huh." Mom remained suspicious, but let the subject drop to spare my feelings. "Well, do you think you'll have time to come and visit?"

"I don't see why not," I said lightly. "If something comes up, I may have to leave in the middle of it, though," I added, subtly remembering the "emergency" missions that occurred every time the Dark Hand was active.

"That's quite alright." Mom sounded both pleased and relieved. "Be sure to bring...what's the boy's name?"

I sighed. "Jackie," I muttered, closing my eyes.

"Well, be sure to bring Jackie along," Mom encouraged, almost scoldingly. "Your father and I want to see the kind of people you're hanging out with."

"Mom, I'm twenty-one, not twelve," I groaned, palm falling to my forehead. "I can look out for myself."

"Peer pressure, honey," Mom reminded me. "Remember?"

"How could I forget?" What was it- if your friends jumped off a bridge, something something? "I have to go now. But I'm definitely coming. And I'll think about it- bringing Jackie along, I mean." It would be amusing to see my parents' reactions, for sure.

"Okay." Mom sounded amused now. "Definitely think about. I love you, sweetie, and so does your father."

I bit my lip again. "Love ya! Mean it!" I shut my phone and pocketed it, letting out a miffed huff. My parents were great, but they could be...what's the word for it? Overbearing. Yeah, that's it.

I ambled into the kitchen and poured myself a Pepsi (which is better than Dr. Pepper, by the way, don't even try to argue with me), and leaned against the counter, trying to look chill.

"Hey, Jackie," I greeted tiredly as Jackie walked into the kitchen, cell phone pressed against is ear. When a look of curiosity flashed across my face, he lifted the phone and put it on speaker.

"Valmont and his cronies have been spotted in Florida, near Cape Canaveral!" Captain Black's voice crackled through the phone.

"I'm on my way," Jackie promised, looking at me.

"Hey, Macey!" Jade suddenly appeared between us, causing me to jump. "Going on a mission, Jackie?" She tilted her head, her bangs falling over one eye.

Jackie looked taken aback. "Uh, no…" he sputtered, "It's not a mission. It's, uh-" He looked at me helplessly, and I cut in, "It's a conference on Fung Shui." Where that came from I have no idea, so don't ask me. I guess it just randomly popped into my head.

"What she said," Jackie confirmed, however lacking confidence.

"In Minnesota!" Captain Black added, but Jade still looked suspicious.

"Want to come?" Jackie offered warily, knowing the ploy would never work.

Jade looked at her shoes. "Um, I would, Jackie," she replied tentatively, averting her gaze, "but you know I have that science project to cook up."

Jackie and I looked at each other in shock.

"Jade putting homework first?" I stared at her. "That's not like you at all. Is something wrong?" Come to think of it, I hadn't heard her beg Jackie and I to let her come along on a mission in a few days. She seemed quieter than usual, which was always a bad sign with Jade.

Jade grinned up at me, but the gesture was forced. "I guess I wanna be a straight-A student," she said idly, shrugging. "Respecting your elders and all."

"Good for you, Jade." Jackie smiled down at her. "Are you sure you're alright?"

Jade smiled. "I'm fine, Jackie...don't worry." With that, she walked out of the room, nothing else being said.

I sighed. Jackie, don't you know that when a girl says she's fine she's really not? I'd spent enough time around groups of girls to know that was almost always the case. It could be hormones (she was at that dreadful age when tweeny senses began to rage), but regardless, emotions were always valid.

Even if she said she was fine, I vowed to myself that I would talk to her alone when I got the chance.

Because I know there's always more to what anybody says.