Hello again! Wow! I didn't expect this much feedback from you guys! This is the greatest that I've received and I'm so happy. So, I decided to post up another chapter this week!

I'm having trouble remembering the movie's exact script, so bare with me.

Disclaimer as usual.

Unexpected Sidekick

Chapter 2:First Meetings

"I'm telling you, this is a bad idea," Dana complained, glancing at the suspicious looking apartment building. Her sight was more blurrier than usual, about borderline blind. She blinked her eyes a couple of times, trying to get some eye-juice flowing. The little sleep she managed to get last night due to the anticipation and anxiety she felt wasn't helping matters at all.

"Relax, Dana," Jack said, being his happy-go-lucky self. "What's the worst thing that can happen?"

"Um...I don't know," she snapped, "The tarot card said 'DEATH' on it. Maybe, I'm worried that you will be run down by stalker puppies with rabies in this not-at-all suspicious looking building in front of us?"

Jack looked amused, much to Dana's exasperation, "You of all people know that the Death card doesn't really mean death."

Dana couldn't disagree with that. It was her specialty after all.

She couldn't rely on Jack's magic tricks for all her daily needs. She refused to be dependent on her friend; she was an independent woman-at least that is what she liked to view herself as. She wouldn't dare stoop so low as to ask Jack for money to buy tampons. No way in hell.

So the only magic she would do( because really it isn't magic at all) was to read innocent passerby's fortunes. It wasn't worth much, but it worked. Dana believed that she should be paid more than the amount she usually gets, considering that most of her predictions come true one way or another, but beggars can't be choosers. And Dana was most definitely a beggar.

But this was way out of her comfort zone. She needed money, yeah, but not enough to risk Jack's life. Despite Jack's annoying magic tricks, his total lack of social manners, his knack of getting her in all kinds of trouble, and most importantly his weird obsession with that over-the-top, arrogant prick Daniel Atlas (don't get her started on that particular subject), Dana was -dare she say it-fond of Jack.

She didn't what she would do without him.

"I don't see what you're so worried about, anyway," Jack added, climbing up the stairs to the building. "You know all my tricks, you know all my moves, hell you can take on a man twice your size-"

"He had a mechanical leg," Dana pointed out.

"Even if this was a trap of some sort," Jack continued on, ignoring Dana, "We will be able to get out of it. No problem."

"What if-"

Jack twirled around suddenly, causing Dana to flinch. He grabbed her shoulders and gave it a friendly squeeze, "Everything will be alright. You are the most awesom-est friend I'd ever had. And despite all the horrible things I did to you, you're still here, worrying about my safety. And I always protect my family. No matter what." he winked and continued up the stairs.

Dana stood there, gaping at Jack's shaking shoulders. The magician was many things, but Dana often forgot the overprotective streak about him. He was the type of act confident in the face of danger-meaning women. When he started spewing emotional words like that...well it left Dana in a confused state.

Which was probably the reason why he did it in the first place.

"You manipulative bastard!" Dana spat as she climbed the stairs as fast as she could, but her legs were no match for Jack's long ones.

She skidded to a halt, staring at the three people crowding around the narrow hallway.

"No way!" Jack said, reaching out his hand for a handshake, "You're Daniel Atlas! I'm a huge fan."

Atlas took Jack's hand while sending eye signals to the other magician, a woman. Dana perceived that they were probably together one time ago. Figures. Magicians were often too full of themselves to have lasting relationships, unless their partners were as egotistical as them.

Like her parents, for example.

Dana quickly doused her thoughts before they ran amuck. I don't need an added stressor right now.

She scanned the other people, looking for clues as to who they were and what was going on, and managed to totally missed the conversation.

"And you are?" Atlas asked, smiling seductively at her direction. Dana snorted on the inside. Great, just what I need.

"Just an assistant," Dana said, dismissing his tone. Bet you never got directed like that, huh?

"An assistant, huh?" he said, glancing at Jack in a way that just screamed sarcasm.

Dana bristled, before stepping forward, "Yes, and it's not what you are thinking, you arrogant little-"

"Woah, there princess," interrupted the other man in a ridiculous looking hat, "It seems to me that there is some underlying anger inside you for Daniel here. A past ex-boyfriend perhaps? Or one that looks like him?"

You cannot beat the master at her own game. Dana laughed, shaking her head. "Wrong. Are you sure you're a mentalist?"

"Now I take offense-"

"Sorry about her," Jack said, discreetly stabbing Dana in the waist. "She's a little tense-"

"More like my mother after her menopau-"

"That's it," Dana shouted, feeling the anger for the man soar. She stomped over to the man and poked him in the chest. "Look here, Mr. I'm-So-Sexy-With-My-Magic-Tricks. I know a lot about you and your nightly obsessions. You're a no good sicko, you know that Mister? You think you're so great and cool and that you can get all the ladies you want with your ultra sexy magic tricks. Well guess what? Some girls do not like strange men tricking them into going to bed with you, you lazy ass. The only person who can do that is Draco Malfoy and you, sir, are no platinum blond, Sex God of Slytherin!"

Daniel took a step back, not quite knowing what to do with the fiery girl stabbing holes into his shirt. Slightly panicked, he glanced at the others for help only to see the three magicians staring at the smallish girl in amusement.

Finally, Jack seemed to take pity on him, since he quickly scooped up Dana's hand and squeezed it tight behind him. Daniel saw the girl, Dana, calm almost instantaneously and he relaxed the muscles he didn't know he was clenching. He straightened his shirt in a huff, only to visibly flinch when he met Dana's still glowering eyes.

"Better?" Jack asked patting the back of Dana's hand, almost like a dog owner would do to his pet.

Dana panted loudly, catching her breath before glaring at Daniel, "Sure. For now."

"I think you and I are going to be good friends," Henley said suddenly, taking Dana's hand from Jack's. "Welcome to the club, whatever this is."

Dana smiled grimly in return, "I'll keep that in mind. Let's just get this over with. What are we doing here outside?"

"Door's locked," Merritt said, pointing his thumb at the entrance in front of him.

"Nothing's ever locked," Jack said stepping forward. Dana rolled her eyes and swiftly pulled out a lock picking device in response to their code. Without anyone noticing, she slid the device in the back pocket of Jack's jeans while moving forward to feign interest at the lock. Jack, in a well rehearsed move, pulled it out "from thin air", and proceeded showing off his talents.

As he worked, Dana felt Daniel's cool voice on her ear, "Sorry,"

Dana sighed, knowing that her anger was a tad overdramatic. She didn't have any qualms on Daniel individually, and she had to admit that it was probably startling to him. He probably didn't even know who she was anyway.

Not that Dana knew Daniel personally. Her parents...Oh don't go there, girl. Focus on the plan in front of you.

Trying to banish thoughts of her parents from her mind, Dana asked, "You obviously have no idea what I'm angry about, do you?"

After a couple of seconds, Daniel spoke, "Nope."

The door opened just as Daniel cursed out loud, his toes crushed by one lovely assistant named Dana.

Dana's vision cleared slightly and she strode into the room, whistling cheerfully.