AUTHOR'S NOTE: This was like Please Wake Me Up, I was just kind of struck with this idea during the day and it would not let go. This takes place about a year before Jake & co. set out off on the Blade Ship, so everyone is 18...am I correct? Slash content.

Miserably, Marco took another swig of crappy beer. He didn't really drink much, but this had been one shitty night. There was another name on the ever-growing list of models and hot celebrities he had either dumped or been dumped by. This time, he'd been the dumpee, which he knew (from experience) hurt a hell of a lot more than dumping someone. He had really liked this girl, too. Her name was Candice Reese, and she was an upcoming model/actress; with the most beautiful long, golden hair and deep blue eyes. Candice was fun and vivacious, and she actually ate, which was a nice change. She was also quite nice in some other respects, too...

It was funny how much she looked like Rachel, though. Or maybe just sad. Marco took another gulp from his beer (What kind was it? He didn't really know.) and glanced over at the tabloid he'd bought on the way home. It was actually pretty cool to see his picture on those things and see what kind of crazy, kinky crap the public could come up with. Half the stories were either about his alleged "affair" with Rachel during the war, or that he'd been seen with some guy.

Both were pretty ridiculous. Sure, he'd thought Rachel was really cute and all, but he'd never make a move on her. She had Tobias, and as weird as it was, he knew that was something not to mess with. Besides, there was always the fact that Rachel would probably rip him limb to limb if he'd tried anything. Marco liked living. He liked living a lot.

And he wasn't gay, he knew that for sure. Of course, maybe he'd have better luck with guys, Marco thought sardonically. God, would the press love that! He could see it now. Marco, the gay animorph. It would be pretty funny. Then all the rumors would switch around to his "affair" with Jake.

At the thought of sex with Jake, Marco loudly cursed his stupid, stupid brain. He'd be having that image stuck in his head for about another three hours. Oh god, that was just nasty! For a moment, Marco seriously contemplated whether or not he would be sick. Taking a deep breath, he decided he wasn't, at least until the beer caught up with him. He didn't exactly have a high tolerance anyway.

Not that he was an alcoholic or anything, despite whatever the net nerds had to say, including himself.

All right, Marco. You're practically drunk, moping, and picturing Jake naked. Get out of the house. The little voice in Marco's head ordered. He dragged himself up off the floor of his house. But where the heck would he go? He didn't really feel up to partying, but who would actually take him in at...

Marco glanced over at the clock in mild shock.

Who would take him in at the 3:30 in the morning? All he really felt like doing was getting out of the house to bitch about Candice some more before moving onto Girl number-he-lost-count. Still, who the heck would have the patience (or just be plain stupid enough) to hang out with him this early...and still actually listen to him?

Duh. Who else?

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Freezing outside in the 40-degree winter weather, Marco angrily knocked on the apartment door for about the fifth time. This was not helping his mood, especially considering his was now picturing nude Jake with a blanket...hey, he was freezing.

"DAMN IT, AX! WAKE UP!" Marco screamed, therefore waking up everyone else in the apartment building. About a minute earlier, the door was opened by an andalite that didn't exactly look like he was all there. Naturally, Marco realized the insanity of what he was doing. Nice, normal, sane people did not go waking up their old partner in crime at hellish hours to bitch about their ex-girlfriend. At least, Marco was pretty sure they didn't. But then again, he somewhat forgot the meaning of the word sane.

Marco, what are you doing here? Ax ever so cleverly responded.

"Um...I'm not quite sure anymore." Marco found himself answering. Nevertheless, Ax let him walk in. After the war, Ax had decided to stay, at least for a little while, on Earth. Ax had gotten himself a little apartment...it was pretty sparsely furnished, but it had the essentials. TV, fridge (no doubt filled with cinnamon buns), bathroom, bed, and a couch. Maybe some clothes. Somewhere.

"So, um...how've you been doing?" Marco blurted out, feeling really stupid. He hadn't seen Ax ever since he had and Candice had been dating (about three months) and here he had come fully prepared to rant about some girl his alien buddy had probably never seen, except from the all mighty tabloids.

I have been doing...okay. Ax answered, looking at the shabby apartment. Marco really felt hanging himself now, and the effects of the crappy beer weren't exactly helping him along.

"Yeah, me too...I guess..." Marco muttered, only to be met with a sharp No you haven't.

Marco looked in surprise at his old friend. "What makes you think that, Ax-man?"

Waking me up at 3:45 in the morning is not normal behavior for you. Ax simply answered.

Marco sighed, sitting himself down on the couch. "You're right. It isn't." He said softly.

So what is your problem, Marco? Ax asked, glancing over at the troubled young man.

"She dumped me." Marco laughed. "Candice dumped me. Girl number..." Marco had to give himself a moment too count...and couldn't find the number.

Candice Resee. Girl Number 23. Ax immediately replied. Marco blinked in shock.

"Wow, you've been keeping track?" Marco asked, gaping at the blue furry deer. Ax shrugged, and threw Marco a magazine. He found the pages were flipped over to reveal a gossip column, and a list of Marco's girlfriends so far. Ax was right, it totaled twenty-three if counted Candice. How sad.

"Geez." Marco commented, looking at the article again just make sure the numbers matched up. Marco had to admit that it was weird Ax had a magazine featuring his own love life, but then again this was Ax-Man. King of odd. "This is very pathetic, even for me." Marco stated.

I have to admit it is odd that you haven't been able to keep a relationship with any of them.

Marco laughed despite himself as he put down the magazine. "You're telling me."

Ax smiled that weird-beyond-weird Andalite smile. He gathered up some clothes off the floor and walked into the bathroom. He emerged a few moments later as a somewhat dressed human. Marco found himself very relived that Ax was wearing clothing, because the image of a nude Jake was still floating around his head. Ax pulled a dingy white tank top over his head, and it was then that Marco noticed he was holding the remote control.

He probably carries it everywhere he goes. Poor guy.

"I was thinking that we would watch some television. Vision. Siiion..." Ax said, using his ever creepy mouth sounds. Marco shrugged.

"Your house. I could always go back home if you want to sleep, you know." Marco suggested none-too-subtly. Ax didn't say anything, but he tossed Marco the remote.

"I'm not tired." The bizarrely attractive boy said, heading into the kitchen. Marco sat there changing the channels, perplexed at how in the world Ax couldn't be tired.

He's probably lying...but it's nice. Marco thought, switching to the cartoons.

It's good having someone there for you once in a while. Twenty-three girls...that's unbelievable. What in the world is wrong with me? Shouldn't I be able to settle down with one of them? Geez...

Ax reemerged, holding a bowl of popcorn. "There are cokes in the kitchen. Chen. Hen!"

Marco shook his head, chuckling. Would Ax ever get over that?

Probably not.

Ax placed the popcorn between the two of them, and they stayed up watching cartoons until about five o'clock when Marco finally dropped off to sleep.

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"Ow!" Marco shouted, covering his face with his hands to block out the bright sunlight streaming into the apartment, and also from the major headache he had developed. After a few moments, he reluctantly opened his eyes. Where the heck was he?

Then he finally recognized the mess. Right, he was in Ax's apartment. He'd probably fallen asleep on the couch...but where had Ax gone?

Marco heard the door opening and instinctively leapt up. Then he almost smacked himself in the head when he saw that it was only Ax. Holding what suspiciously looked like a box of doughnuts.

"I bought some breakfast." Ax explained, looking worried. Then Marco noticed that his face was burning. Damn it. "I just, um, thought you might be someone else..." Marco muttered, feeling his face get hotter, much to his irritation. "Candice?" Ax asked, and Marco shook his head.

"No...just, uh, forget it." he mumbled. Great way to the start the day. He thought to himself.

Marco followed Ax (who was still carrying the box) into the kitchen. Marco was starving.

Ax placed the box down on the counter, and Marco found himself smiling. So maybe Ax was really, really, really weird...but he was a nice guy. Jake would probably be the only one to have put up with him yesterday, and he wasn't even that sure that even Jake would do that now. Candice wouldn't have. Ages, really, since he really had someone just...been there for him. Sure, all of his girl collection had been nice, but they hadn't really given a damn about him. Just that he was Marco. The Marco. That was the only thing that really mattered to them. Nothing more than that...

"Hey, Ax." Marco said, looking at his friend. Ax turned around to face him, holding a doughnut.

"What-tuh?" Ax asked curiously. Marco didn't answer for a moment, feeling his face flush again. Why the heck was he so nervous about this? It didn't exactly make sense...Marco gulped.

"Um, thanks..." Marco muttered. "Thanks for every..."

Without completely realizing it at first, Marco was cut off. Cut off because he was kissing Ax. Looking back, he wasn't completely sure how it had happened. It was definitely happening, though.

Marco was kissing his old friend, and neither of them were exactly complaining...then it hit him.

What the hell am I doing?

Without even looking back, Marco pulled away and ran out the door.