Chapter 1: A Late Night Visit

The Chinese night was warm and clear and full of the songs of enthusiastic crickets as the Xiaolin dragon of fire made her way across the temple courtyard. Her eyes squinted against the light of the candle she held, she allowed her weary feet to drag beneath her, leading her to a destination she had already forgotten about. The stars overhead twinkled and winked at her as though they knew something that she did not. Shadows flickered around her and for a moment she swore she saw one move amongst an assortment of robust potted plants but when she aimed the light at the location, all she could see was the gentle movements of the vines swaying in the breeze.

'I must be tired…'

A little more awake now, she shook her head, finally remembering where she was going at such an hour; to the kitchen for a late night snack.

Things had been oddly quiet lately. Besides daily chores, training, and the occasional appearance of a newly activated Shen-Gong-Wu, nothing exciting had happened for at least a month. Even Jack Spicer had not been present at a Wu site, or anywhere else, for that matter, for over six months and Kimiko actually had to admit that his absence was almost disappointing. Without an arch-villain to confront, gathering Wu had become a dull experience for her and the boys, and even Jack Spicer's intolerable presence would have been welcome.

"Who's there?" At the base of the steps that led up to the kitchen, Kimiko had stopped and whirled around, holding her candle high. "Show yourself!" There was a rustling and a small "Ow!" And who would stumble out from behind a statue but Jack Spicer, his hands held before him in a submissive gesture.

Kimiko sneered at him, even though her heart was sighing with relief. No matter how big of a nuisance Jack was, Kimiko was still glad to see he was alive. "What are you doing here you slimy… little…?" But any and all anger (false or not) evaporated at the sight of him. He looked as though he'd been on the run from something very strong for a very long time. His goggles were askew and his flaming hair was matted and darker than usual in some places, as though he'd suffered from head wounds recently. He was paler, and his cloths were ripped and worn, under witch she could see a number of cuts and bruises some old, some as fresh as if they'd happened minutes ago.

"Jack?" She whispered, and he actually flinched.

"Kimiko… I'm not here to fight you." His voice was hoarse, and he raised his hands higher to show he didn't want violence.

"Well obviously!" She exclaimed, eyeing his diminished condition. "What in the world happened to you?"

"I can't tell you." He swayed on his feet, but regained balance. "You'll think I'm crazy."

"Jack, I already think you're crazy."

He sighed, deeply, and mumbled "Thank you for reassuring that phobia…"

"Whatever, why are you here?"

He blushed and shuffled his feet awkwardly. "I-I need a place to stay for a while-"

"No way." Her eyes swiveled over to the vault. She knew what he was after, and this lame little scheme was going to get him no where.

She'd expected him to whine, to hug her legs and beg, to milk the water works for all they were worth, but he did none of that. What he did do, however was make her feel extremely guilty. His face drooped slightly and he turned away from her, his heli-pack (nearly as battered as he was) engaged and ready to take flight. She groaned inwardly ay her inability to turn away any wounded creature and called to him "Jack! Wait…"

He turned to look at her, his crimson eyes dulled with exhaustion and rejection.

"I guess we could arrange a bunk for you, but please, promise me you won't go after our Wu." She transferred all the trust she could muster in her gaze and he nodded.

"I promise." And although Kimiko knew better, she really truly wanted to believe in him. A quick analysis of his body language told her that he was either an extremely talented liar (which, she knew, he was) or that he was actually telling the truth. There was no triumphant little smirk no guilty avoidance of her eyes… he just stared back at her, as if daring her to question his intentions. She suddenly had to wonder if, perhaps, he really just needed a place to stay.

"I-I guess you can stay, Jack, but would you please tell me what happened to you?" She asked her hands upon her hips as she observed him. "Why are you so beat up? Why can't you stay at your own house-"

"Lair."

"Whatever!"

He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I desperately need to sleep."

"You're avoiding my questions."

I'm hungry too, what kind of food you people keep here?" His stomach released an angry growl as he climbed the steps into the kitchen.

"Hey! You can't just walk right in there." Kimiko ran up the stairs after him, and found him rummaging through their pantry.

He pulled out a white package with some Chinese writing on it and exclaimed "Mmm… Rice Cakes."

"Gimme those!" Kimiko growled and snatched the package away from him. He produced the most pitiful pout she had ever seen.

"Hey, give those back."

"Not until I get some answers."

Releasing a frustrated groan, Jack plopped to the floor. Kimiko suddenly noticed the blood that had dripped beneath him.

"I'm beat up because I've been on the run for a while, and I can't go home because home doesn't exist any more." Scowling, he snatched the package back and tore it open, beginning to eat ferociously, as though he hadn't eaten a thing in days. Kimiko slowly digested this information as she watched his pitiful performance.

"On the move? Are you running from something?"

"It's none of your business…" he grumbled through a mouth full of rice cake, avoiding her curious eyes.

"And your house?"

"Gone. Disintegrated." He ran a gloved hand nervously through his matted hair. "Mom and dad are going to kill me."

"Jack, what are you running from?"

"Who said I was running?" He snapped, a little too quickly. Kimiko smirked at him.

"You did, just now."

Growling, Jack got shakily to his feet and limped to the doorway. "Can I go to sleep now?"

She looked at him, seriously worried. "Jack, if you tell me what happened, then maybe I can help you."

"No one can help me." He whispered. "I just want to sleep…"

"Don't you want to get cleaned up first?"

"No." Without a glance back, he descended the stairs, stopping in the courtyard only when he remembered that Kimiko had to show him to his room.

"If you tell me what happened, maybe I can help you, Jack!" He mocked, once Kimiko had excited his small and oh so humble quarters that master Fung had grudgingly allowed him to occupy. "Bah! Like she knows anything…" He removed his heli-pack and coat and placed them aside and with an indignant sniff, crawled beneath the single blanket he had been provided with.

He hated those damn mats they made the monks sleep on. No better than the floor… but he was glad just to have a safe place to lay his head.

'Jack Spicer, Evil Boy Genius, reduced to this. How terribly pathetic, asking your enemies for shelter.'

He winced at his own thought and buried his face in his hands. And just before he allowed himself to sleep, he'd thought he'd seen a looming figure outside the sliding screen. In fact, he was sure he had.

Chapter one complete!

XS has become my most recent obsession, and hopefully the show will be enough to make me start writing again. Please review.