Remember when SpongeBob figured out that Squidward likes crabbypatties? Remember that shit-eating grin that took over the little creature's face? Keep that in mind because Mackenzie's is the exact replica just in human form. She's even doing the whole giggling school girl thing.

Punk rapidly closes his eyes, "Before you get any ideas, it is not what it seems," when people say that line, it is what it fucking seems.

"Dunno what you mean. I'm not even here. I'm gonna go check on...yeah," she says stumbling over her words.

Pinching the bridge of my nose, agitating my cut up hand in the process, to collect myself, I inch away from a closed-eyed Punk. Flustered. I am completely flustered by all that happened...or didn't happen...or was going to happen, "I will save you the trip. You...you just relax," and with that I slip past the child-bearer. Halfway down the hallway, I overhear what seems to be the beginning of a sibling's quarrel, "Why are you looking at me like that, Philly?" I chuckle disdainfully and continue on my way until I meet the open door to Dom's room. I peek in before entering an spy the kid slipping in and out of sleep as he play with that game of his. "Come on, papi, time for you to catch some flying Zs," I announce blocking his view of the TV.

"But Auntie!"

"No if, buts, or ands...off to sleep you're going," I lift his almost weightless body off the ground and dump him on his race car styled bed, "You want me to do something special before you drift or should I just go 'cus you're big now?"

He taps his chin as if in deep thought, "Could you just sing to me until I fall asleep?" he springs off the bed and beneath his bed searching for something, "Sing and play the guitar, please!"

Two. I only know two songs on the guitar, other than the basic ones, by heart. I'm not multi-talented by any means, "Fine but you better fall asleep, kiddo," as tell the small child as I take his grandfather's broken-in guitar. I start tuning it as he slips under the covers and look behind me before actually strumming away.

Some time between my free-styling of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and merging "Eso y Mas", the twerp knocked out. Now I am really just playing for myself. I don't want to go out into the awkwardness that awaits me, should I go out into the living room. Sulking, I slide the instrument under the bed and place a soft kiss on my beloved's cheek. Saying a sentence of prayer, I head out the door and run into Micks's protruding belly. I gasp, holding myself as if I'd lose an organ if I didn't, "You could use that as a weapon...goddamn," I joke to which she does too.

The frail woman rubs her belly ever so lovingly, "It's usually to my disadvantage but I got five more months to convince it to join my side," she jokes, "I'm really sorry about the kitchen...I didn't know you guys had gotten over so fast."

Gotten over? Making a mock disgruntled face, "What're you insinuating, woman? Nothing was gonna happen. It's that pregnancy induced creativity you've acquired."

Giving me the "look", she let's the topic escape, "Well, whatever you say, babes. I'm off to get some more shut-eye; baby is getting the best of me," she digs into her bra and pulls out a single key, "Welcome home, babes. Yours to keep safe and sound."

The tiny little key that falls into my palm and I clench it tightly, "This means a lot, babes. Really. It does," tears prick my eyes. My life has been destroyed like the lost city of Pompeii, and sunk like Atlantis. This girl, struggling as she is, has let me into her home with open arms. The term "best friend", I don't use loosely.

Almond colored eyes moisten and upturned lips quiver slightly, "Stop it. My hormones are out of whack and you crying...stop," she chuckles, wiping away at her eyes, "You're my girl. You're family. Now go and make the guestroom yours. Its been an eventful set of twenty-four hours," she hugs me as tightly as she can and wobbles into her room.

Little ol' me spends a couple of seconds trying to pull myself together before making my way into the living room. Blondielocks is sprawled out on the couch enjoying some Tom and Jerry. The zoo that reclosed has let their animals out again. I hate awkward 'cus I am awkward. Internally, I'm grateful for Micks's interruption of the "moment" because for all I know my hero could have a girl waiting on his cute little butt and I've butted out of a relationship not even a day ago.

Bee-lining it to the kitchen as briskly yet composedly as possible, I avoid even a blink in Phil's direction. I assume all is good until I hear, "Are the kids asleep, yet?"

Shrinking inside my skin, "Uh...yeah. I put Dom down and Micks is on her way as well."

He hums and then switches positions on the couch, "The kitchen thing. I'm sorry about that. I got caught up...invaded your space."

I shrink even more, if that's possible, "Don't sw...sweat it."

Turning on my heel, "Not even a drop but you seem to be sweating out a fever," the smirk on his face can be heard in his voice.

Nearly losing my cool, "This is your sister's house. You're her brother. Last thing I want is for her is to assume...things."

"We're grown folks..." he states matter-of-factly.

Scratching my brow, I turn around to face his smug looking self, "Nothing happend."

"Only because little sister walked in," it's clear that he's amused by whatever he's trying to stir up, "You're free of that jerk. I could've kissed you and you would've enjoyed because I'm a 'pretty boy' according to you. You find me attractive, in other words."

My mouth floors. Audacious bastard! Nothing but a flap of words zoom by me but nothing really coherent, "Sounds like you have an over-inflated ego, buddy."

"'Over-inflated ego'?" he cracks up, "Perhaps or maybe it's the fact that you don't want to admit it, beautiful," he suggests with a lopsided smirk.

For the last couple of grueling minutes, my face has been flushed red, "You're trying to fuck with me, aren't you?"

He simply nods and we burst out, me in relief, "I find it entertaining to see people skirm."

"Lovely. Gladly I could entertain you," I reply sarcastically.

Seconds pass and air grows into a split between awkward and comfortable silence. The day is old and tomorrow I'll be going to work. Problem is that I got no pajamas and my stuff is in Blondielocks's car, "Would it be too much to ask you for your car keys?"

Taking a look at the clock, Punks stands up, "Yes, it would. This is no time for a young woman to be out unaccompanied"

Nodding my head, I pad over to Micks's coat rack and grab a random oversized black sweater. Punk on the other hand has already swung open the door and stepped out, "It's bone chillingly cold, tough guy!"

He starts walking backwards, "Feel free to be my human furnace!"

Zipping up the sweater, "In that case, freeze!"

ΔΔΔΔ

It isn't the "Windy City" Chicago for nothing. Like everywhere else in the Midwest it is freezing balls outside. The closer to the lake you are, the colder it is. I am one for the fall but this year it's just exaggeratedly cold. Makes me regret ever needing my pajamas. "Phil..." I manage through chattering teeth, "We've been out here for half an hour, go inside!"

Truth is, his trunk won't budge for shit. We've been trying to crowbar it open and so far we only got one side. I am quite surprised that Macho Man isn't frozen on the ground with pneumonia. "

"I almost..." he kicks the trunk with all his might, "got this open," it pops open like Jack-in-the-box, "You're welcome!"

Walking up to him, "Thank you, now let's get this shit inside ASAP!" My luggage is dead weight - like carrying a boulder. A gust flies by making the trip back impossible, "Fuck you, fucking wind!" As soon as I finish that last syllable, my hand spazzes out making me lose my grip on the baggage. Everything flies out. Everything meaning, my panties. Of course, it had to be the panties!

Sauntering over with a couple of intimates in hand, Punk says, "I think these belong to you!" How I wish I could slap the taste of joy right out of his mouth. As I lunge for my belongings, he pulls away.

Another try, he has them out of my reach, "Dame mis putos calsones, pendejo!"

"Such a colorful tongue..."

"Here's another set, fuck and you! Give me back my panties!" I lunge once more and I end up losing more than I'm winning. Ouch, bruises...

"Say 'please'."

Okay, he wants games. Challenge accepted. With all the seductiveness I can muster, I push myself on him. Doing the whole 'run a finger down your chest' thing, uttering, "Please?" His arms comes down like puddy and another around me. His irises dart between eyes and lips. Focused as I am, I barely feel the wind trying to seep into my skin or the car the abruptly screeches to a halt.

"I knew I'd find you like this!" fuck!

A/N- Dun dun duuuuunnnn! Short, I know. I know this is all seeming slow but what's a story without some character building? Keep the faith!