Thank you weetzybat, Liaranne (pretty name), Brutal2003, Mimi Chica for your reviews!

Answering your questions/comments:

Brutal2003: Thanks! I'm hoping that what you're saying is that you like this fict and that it has potentional. (If that's not what you meant, I'm just going to pretend like it is). So thanks! : )


Mimi Chica: I'm glad you like this. Is Rachel going to live? Oh yesSSSSS!!! (she's VERY important to my story!but I'm not going to tell you how.you'll just have to keep reading ) *evil smile *

Liaranne: gosh that's a pretty name! The reason that what I wrote didn't make sense is b/c I'm a retard who doesn't recheck her work. (Other than punctuation and grammar and I still mess that upsad, huh?)

But thanks for catching that! I REALLY appreciate it! I'll go back and fix it. : )

weetzybat: That's a good point about short chapters. I never really thought about that before. I've thought about short sentences catching your attention. But not short chapters.

And yeah, that's really how Jake is. I read and re-read the few passages about his life after the war (#54) very pathetic. My favorite was Marco: "Jake..would sound almost like the old Jake sometimes but you just got this sense that he was out of phase with everyone else. Like he was half a step ahead or behind"

Here's my disclaimer:

I don't own Animorphs or Cinabun or McDonald's. Or the Enquirer.

But I do own my puppy! He's mine and you can't have him! So there!

JAKE:

Later that day, I was sitting upstairs in my room, peering over my latest chapter of my autobiography. Marco and his Hollywood crew had finally convinced me to start it. (Or rather, I finally realized writing it was the only way Marco would quit nagging me about it).

"And then we realized that there were actually two Rachels, because the starfish morph had split in half. That was a very interesting mission because not only did we have to find a way to put Rachel back together, but we also had to find a way to destroy the Anti-morphing Ray that the Yeerks were experimenting with."

I stared thoughtfully at the paragraph and then sighed in frustration. It just wasn't coming out the way I wanted. The entire book wasn't coming out the way I wanted. I hated writing the stupid thing!

I reached across the desk to the small footlocker that my Grandma had given to me after Grandpa G. died. This was one of the few things I'd been able to salvage from my old house after we'd blown up the Yeerk pool.

I opened the locker and pulled out the Purple Heart. Grandpa G.'s Purple Heart. He'd been awarded it when he fought in WWII.

I reverently stroked the small medal. Grandpa G. had always had a tired look in his eyes. Like he was only half-aware of what was going on. Like half of him was always somewhere else, remembering something that was so sad.

I understood that look, now. I think my own eyes probably resembled his.

"Jake?" My mom's voice interrupted my thoughts. "Jake, honey, isn't that party of yours tonight?"

"Yeah Mom," I yelled from my upstairs room. Although I've got enough money to buy my own place, I'm still living with my parents.

It really helps having them around, especially because Tom and Rachel aren't.

"Jake," My mother's voice carried. "I thought you said that the party started at 4:00?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Well its 4:30 right now."

It was already that late?

I cursed silently and tossed the unfinished manuscript aside. Reaching across the desk, I opened the footlocker and then carefully picked up Grandpa G.'s Purple Heart. I was about to put the medal back, but decided to put it into my jeans pocket instead.

This night was going to be a very hard one for me, and the medal would be comforting at least.

I rummaged around my room and located my car keys. I quickly rushed downstairs. "Bye Mom! Dad!" I called as I ran out the front door.

It nearly 5:00 before I reached Marco's mansion. Ax, Marco, Cassie, and I were all meeting there for Ax's Going Away Party. We were planning on going out to eat, but I didn't know all the details.

I steered the Jaguar down the private drive and stopped at the guard-station. I rolled down the window to greet the guard.

"Hi," I smiled to the man. He was a brown haired guy who looked in his thirties. I hadn't seen him before, so I'm assuming he was new. "I'm—"

"Jake Berenson, the Animorph!" The guy said excited. His eyes flashed gleefully. "This is an honor to meet you Mr. Berenson. I know all about you!" He thrust his hand out.

I grasped his outstretched hand and shook it. "Uh thanks." I answered politely.

"Can I get your autograph, please?" The guard asked hopefully. "For my ten year old?" He rummaged around the guard station and produced a black pen and a legal pad.

I sighed inwardly. I really hate all the attention I get since I reached my "celebrity status."

"Sure," I replied and quickly signed my name. "Now can you please let me pass? Marco's expecting me."

The guard looked ecstatic. "Oh, yeah sure," he nodded vigorously. "Anything you say Mr. Berenson. Anything at all." He raised the neon orange guard bar. "Go on ahead, Mr. Berenson. And thanks for the autograph!"

I revved up the Jag and took the private drive a full city block before it dead-ended at the mansion. Did I say mansion? Marco's "mansion" is about the size of a large junior college. And the property rivals an amusement park.

I parked my car on the circular drive and then followed the front path to the door.

I raised my finger to ring the doorbell, but the door swung open before I had a chance to push the button.

Standing in the doorframe was a snooty middle-aged man, dressed in butler's regalia.

"Hey Weatherbee," I greeted Marco's butler.

"Mr. Berenson," The other acknowledged me with a slight nod. "Marco has been expecting you. Follow me please."

Weatherbee lead me through the maze that is Marco's house. Without him, I'm sure I'd have been hopelessly lost, the house has more rooms than a Holiday Inn. How Marco ever navigates it remains a mystery to me.

"So, is anyone here yet?" I asked Weatherbee.

The pompous manservant, raised his eyebrow. Very Mr. Spockish. "You wish to know how late you are, Mr. Berenson?"

I smiled sheepishly.

"Very."

Weatherbee turned right and lead me into a game room where Marco, Ax, and Cassie were playing pool.

Weatherbee stopped outside the room. "Wait here, Mr. Berenson." He instructed. "I have to announce you."

Weatherbee walked into the game and waited until he had my friends' attention. "Marco, Mr. Berenson has arrived." He said haughtily.

Marco looked at Weatherbee reproachfully. "Weatherbee?" He said warningly.

The butler scowled.

"Weatherbee?"

Weatherbee's teeth clenched indignantly. "Lord and Master Almighty Marco, Mr. Berenson has arrived."

Marco nodded brightly. "Good Weatherbee. You may leave us now." He shook his hand in a haughty dismissal.

Weatherbee bowed mockingly and left the room.

"What was that all about?" I asked Marco confused.

Marco shrugged. "What? Oh Weatherbee!" He laughed. "I just like messing with his head."

"Does he know that?" I asked.

Marco shrugged. "I dunno." He gestured me over to the pool table. "Hey Cassie! Ax! Look who finally decided to join us."

Cassie smiled that smile. "Hi Jake," she said warmly.

Looking at Cassie, always brings it all back. I still love her. Always had. Always will.

But the war is over. And when it ended, so did Cassie and I. I don't know how. I don't know why. It just did. She is seeing someone else now. Randy Connors or something like that. He seems like a good guy. I hope he'll make her happy.

"Hello Cassie," I replied quietly.

A delicate blue hand grasped mine in a weak handshake. Prince Jake Ax greeted me. It is good to see you.

"Hey Ax," I smiled. "Or should I say Prince Ax?"

With his eyes, Ax flashed a proud Andalite smile.Yes Prince Jake.

I sighed at that. Prince Jake. Ax always calls me "Prince Jake." It wasn't even worth correcting him anymore.

"So where are we going tonight?" I asked curiously.

"We don't know yet." Cassie answered. "We were actually just discussing that."

Marco smirked. "It's kind of hard to figure that kind of thing out, when someone's an hour late! Daylight Savings ended like three months ago. Did you forget to reset your clock or something?" He asked sarcastically.

I almost smiled. Almost. Marco's always been the funny one. But nothing really seems to make me laugh anymore.

"No, really." I said. "Where are we going?"

Cassie shrugged. "Why don't you decide Ax. Its your party, afterall. What are you in the mood for? Chinese? Italian?"

"Money's no option, since Jake's paying." Marco added slyly.

Ax stroked his chin thoughtfully. One of the many human habits he has picked up. As this will be my last night on Earth, I think I will savor it, by indulging in my favorite flavors.

And that's how we ended up at McDonald's.

"Grease! Grease!" Ax screamed ecstatically. "I enjoy these grease burgers so much!"

Cassie, Marco, and I were hunched inside our booth slightly embarrassed, while Ax ran around in a feeding frenzy.

"Number 161, 162, 163." A voice intoned over the loud speaker. "Your orders are ready."

"Hey I think that's us." Cassie said.

"Gee, how'd you guess?" Marco sneered. "Maybe because, the last 15 orders, have been ours?"

"You're the one who said that money was no option." Cassie replied logically.

"Point taken," Marco agreed. He slid out of the booth and headed to get to the counter.

Even though Ax has many years practice in his human morph, eating still remains a problem. In all other respects, Ax can pass as a human, but once he gets a whiff of anything remotely edible

"Hey Ax-man," Marco called as he returned with the three trays.

"More grease burgers?" Ax asked hopefully. He flew to the trays of food that Marco had set on the table. He grabbed one of the hamburgers and in an amazing 2 seconds had unwrapped his prize. "Burgers! urgers! gers!" He cried.

"Oh god, he's starting to stutter." Marco said horrified.

Ax has finally perfected his speech, but every now and then he slips back into stuttering. Generally when he's eating or really excited.

Right now he was both.

I watched in disgust as Ax crammed an entire Big Mac into his mouth in one bite. One bite!

"Delicious!" Ax announced. He delve into his next. "Oh Cheese and Special Sauce! I love Special Sauce. Sauce! auce! uce!"

Marco looked slowly around the restaurant sitting area. "Do you realize that everyone in here is watching us?" he asked. He shook his head unhappily. "I can just imagine the next cover of the Enquirer: Marco, the most famous, most heroic, most handsome Animorph thrown out of McDonald's after Andalite friend scares hundreds."

"I don't think they'll throw you out," I disagreed. "You're a famous celebrity."

"But its still bad for my public image." He returned sulkily.

Ax ran up to us, bouncing like a puppy. "Prince Jake, may we go to the Cinabun now?" He asked hopefully. "I am ready for desert. esert sert. t." He absently wiped the Special Sauce from his forehead. How it had gotten there remained a mystery to me.

"Yeah, uh sure, Ax-man." I replied quickly. "Why don't you and Cassie go to car, and Marco and I will meet you in a second."

Cassie and Ax filed out of the McDonald's, followed by a trail of eyes from the other patrons.

"Come on, Marco," I headed for the counter. "Let's go pay the bill."

"But you already paid it."

I nodded in agreement. "I mean, let's go pay for the damages."

"Ah."

So, did you like it? Did you hate it? Cassie and Ax are easier to write, but I'm not sure if I got Marco's humor correctly. Do you think he's too mean? And is Jake okay?

I've got one more chapter on Jake I want to write and then I'm moving to another character. (And the story will get rolling.)

These first 3 chapters are mainly to set the tone on how everybody is before my story so that might mean I've got to write a Tobias? I dunno he's really not doing much at the moment besides living in his tree and that's not too interesting although I guess I could just write like a 1 pager about how depressed and stuff he is.

What do you think?

See all the questions? Don't you feel obligated to respond to some of them? Don't you feel that you should review?

*Giggles to herself for being so sneaky about getting people to review. *

Eek! Did I just type that out loud? You're not supposed to read my evil plan!

Aw, well, I'm too lazy to go back and delete that.

PLEASE REVIEW!!!

ThankS!

DH

: )