TITLE: "Adventures in Clubbing"

AUTHOR: Doctor Strangelove (strangelove317@hotmail.com)
RATING: PG-13
SPOILERS: Um, I don't know. No particular spoilers. Visser Three is still Visser Three.
FEEDBACK: I'd love it.
DISCLAIMER: K. A. Applegate owns the Animorphs.

"Adventures in Clubbing"

Written by: Doctor Strangelove

My name is Marco. I am serious deep shit.

I mean, God, it's so fucked up, it's not even funny. I am bisexual or something. I like guys, I know that, and I'm pretty sure I like girls. But that's not it. Then there's Tom. Jake's brother who I suddenly realized was very attractive and cool. Yeah, I know. So anyway, Ax is gay! And apparently he likes me a lot, but oh, apparently not. And then there's some evil horny guy, and a ghost, and I bitched out Ax. Oh, and Tom, the guy I was temporarily crushing on that looks a lot like my best friend? He has to die.

It's so fucking stupid! It just... why can't it be, you know, normal!? Is that so damn much to ask, for a just a little normalcy? For a little easiness. To be able to date someone, be they male or female, human or Andalite, best friend or best friend's brother, and have it simple? I mean, look at Cassie and Jake. They've got it made! Everything works out for them. It fucking sucks.

But I can't focus on that right now. I've got to focus on what to do with Tom. Because Jake is just damn out of it. He's been pretty weird since he got sick. I mean, the way he just said we had to kill Tom. It's probably true, but I didn't expect him to do it. Rachel is so adamant about finding another way, that she can't be relied on. It's unlike her, really. Cassie is worried about Jake, so she's probably of no use. Tobias, I honestly don't know what to do with him. I mean, I'm pretty pissed about his whole little matchmaker deal, but he was just trying to do what was best. But he'll probably also side with Rachel on this deal with Tom. That just leaves me to handle it.

And Ax.

"God," I slammed my hands against my wall, "Ax."

You remember how I said I bitched at Ax? And remember when I said I didn't care that I was an asshole to him? I've since changed my mind. Sorta. It's complicated.

I mean, I'm angry as hell about everything I went through with him. Really, really angry. I mean super-pissed, Hulk-smash angry. Which accounts for the bitching.

But then, yeah okay, I liked Tom, a lot, to be honest. But I'm in love with Ax. So, no even though I was furious at him, I'm a little heartbroken things didn't work out. But I've gotta get past that. I've got to figure out what to do with Tom. I can't be thinking about Ax so much.

I nodded and turned around. "Well," I said, trying to mask my shock. "Speak of the devil."

Ax looked at me sheepishly and gave a little wave. "Hey."

*****

"I love you."

"I know."

"Do you?" Ax and I stared at each for what seemed like forever. "Do you love me too?"

*****

"So," I said and looked across the bed at Ax. "What now?"

He shrugged and turned away. "I'm not really sure."

I smiled. "Yeah, me neither."

"I'm glad we talked."

"Me too."

"And I think that was all for the best. You know, all of... that."

"Yeah, most likely."

We sat in silence for a few more minutes. I decided to break it. "So, are cool now? Everything okay with us?"

Ax smiled and nodded. "Most. We are most definitely cool."

I had to laugh at that. "Good. Good. I guess that means we should work on this Tom problem."

"Probably. I think you're right, it'll have to be us. But I don't know what we'll do. We can't morph and sneak in, and even if we could it doesn't sound like we could beat Tom. We're screwed."

And that's when it hit me. I had a plan. An incredibly stupid and dangerous plan that would most likely get me and Ax killed, but it was still a plan. And it could work.

*****

"I'm going tonight, Cassie."

"What?"

"I'm going to the club, tonight. To care of this once and for all."

There was a pause. "Who is this?"

I grumbled in frustration and nearly slammed the phone down. "It's Marco, Cassie."

"Oh. Hey, Marco! What do you mean you're going tonight."

"I'm going to the club. Me and Ax are."

'You and... Ax?"

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason. Just earlier, it seemed like you two... were having a fight."

"We were. It's over."

"That's good, but Marco, you can't go by yourself."

"I'm not. I'm going with Ax."

"Marco, you know what I mean. Tom is going to kill you both."

"Maybe. But maybe not. But I have a plan."

"A plan? What is it?"

I hesitated. "I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"If I tell you, you won't let me go."

"That kind of plan, huh?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, fine. But why are you calling me about this?"

"I just, I want someone to know. Someone I trust. Also, you can't tell Rachel or Jake about this."

"Because of Tom?"

"Right. I don't know how he's going to come out of this. I just.. if they know, they'll try to stop me. For one reason or another."

"Okay. I promise. They won't know."

"Thank you, Cassie."

"You're welcome. Good luck, Marco."

"Thanks. We're gonna need it."

I hung up the phone and turned to face Ax. "Don't I get to be in on the plan?"

"No." I said.

"Why not?"

"If I tell you, you won't do it."

"I might."

"You won't."

"Okay then."

"Alright." I smiled and headed out the door. "Come on, Ax. Let's go."

To reviewers: A note to the reviewers. With only five chapters left, I want to know what your opinions and ideas are on how you think this fic will end, and how you think it should end. I'm interested in your ideas, and I might even steal some of them. I mean, use some of them.

Bri Yami-neko: I saw it. And the second. And I bought the game. It was awesome! Yeah, I like Cassie, but we won't be seeing anymore of her POV.

Jinako-chan: Um, pretty sure it's longer than three seconds. Now there's only five more. I am so ready for this fic to be over with. That way I can move on to the several sequels. God, I'm gonna be busy with this series for years. Maybe like two, but that's still plural. Um, I know who you're talking about. Basically it's Balthazar and Big Bad Voice. Oh and Esthrill. Now. There are others. Maybe like one. Yes, gay sex! WOO! Wow, that's not something I shout often. Tobias and who... it's someone besides Rachel, I bet. Otherwise it's not a spoiler. Oh my God, it's Tobias and Cassie isn't it!? You totally stole my idea!
...I mean, anyway. What about Tobias and Jake? They're cool. Marco called Cassie. Now, why in the world would you think I'm gonna kill Tom? Also, please update Threads of Fate. Please. *makes puppy dog eyes and then waves Jeffrey at you*

Lisa-Ann: 1. Doctor, Doctor, gimme the news, I got a bad case, of loving you. Sorry.
2. I do too. I don't write female characters well. Notice how everyone else has been male. It'll be like that for the rest of the fic and the series. I don't think I ever write in female POV again.
3. Guts for garters. I love that line!
4. Yeah, I saw the music video for that song. It reminded me of Marco and Ax 'cause I thought the guy slightly resembled an older Marco if you sit far away and squint.

freak show: Yeah, Jake is weird. But he's got reasons. Boy does he ever. You'll see pretty soon. By the beginning of June probably.

EsotericEric: Aw, thanks. It's nice to know I don't suck. I think I promised that chapters would get longer and now they're shorter than ever. I've got one long one coming up, but the rest are all about this length. Which is probably why this fic needed 24 chapters.

Myself: Yes, yes, we all make asses of ourselves. I do it all the time. I saw X2. It was indeed good. I saw The Matrix too, and I really liked it. Hey, any review that mentions Rocky and Bullwinkle is good in my book.

Aaren: Yeah, with the Jake thing, I'm mostly writing mysterious scenes with him here and then trying to make them make sense in the next fic. It's like backwards foreshadowing or something.

Aqua Rhapsody: Thanks, but I don't think I did that well with Cassie. But thank you.

Myst: A god, eh? Neat. Um, not really sure how to punish you. Um, you could wait a while to read this chapter or something. I don't know. Heh, you're so sweet. And thanks about the chapters, some of my favorite part of this fic is titling chapters.