My first real fanfic! I'll try to post a new chapter everyday, so keep checking back!

A/N - I do not own Maximum Ride or any of the characters except the "experiment", which you will read about. Well, I guess I own it, because I created it, but nothing else right now. Oh, I also own the plot and storyline. But only from this story! Sheesh, all I'm trying to do is make sure I'm not copywriting anything.

"MAX, CAN WE please take a break? My wings are killing me." I rolled my eyes at Total. I glanced at the rest of my flock. Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel were trying to look strong, but I could tell they were exhausted. Iggy and Fang could fly for another hour or two, but I knew better than to push the younger ones.

I glanced at Fang for his opinion. He gave a look that told me it didn't matter to him.

"Sure, I guess we could stop." I replied. Fang's dark eyes frowned as Total flew over to him so that he wouldn't have to fly anymore. I found it funny that Fang always gets stuck with Total when his wings give out on him. After all, Fang was one hundred percent against having a dog.

"I could eat about ten pounds of food, though." Said Iggy. I scanned the ground and found a wooded forest not far from a town. Fang must have seen it too, for he started towards it. It was amazing how much we think alike sometimes. But I still loved it.

Its no wonder you two are so crazy about each other. The Voice said. Yup, that annoying voice besides my own is still there. Wanna know how it got there?

So do I.

Well, well, well, the prodigal son returns. I thought. I was pretty sure the Voice was chuckling to itself. And would you mind not butting into my private life for once? They call them 'private thoughts' for a reason. I'm so good I scare myself sometimes. Not really, but you get the point.

Max, you need to read those papers you just stole from that latest Itex building. I had started swooping downward when the voice started. I was now watching the rest of the flock get dinner together. A very organized task.

And the reason for that would be? The voice was so incredibly vague that I was about to go insane. Which, of course, is perfectly logical since I have a voice stuck in my head telling me what to do. Not crazy at all.

Max, your next assignment is to locate Experiment 14-13. There is more information in those papers you stole. When you find Experiment 14-13, A.K.A Crystal, you and the flock need to train her and keep her in your sights. Then you will receive further instructions.

Talk about going all fortune cookie. What the heck was the Voice talking about Experiment 14-13? I'd ask Fang later. I looked around at my flock. Total had collapsed in a heap not far from where Fang put him down. Speaking of Fang, I didn't see him anywhere.

"Where's Fang?" I asked almost freaking out. Not that I was too worried or anything.

"He went to go get some food." Replied Gazzy, who seamed rather happy and smiley right now. He and Angel were gathering up sticks to make a fire. Iggy was listening to whatever he could hear, like he always does.

"What did the voice have to say?" Asked Angel. I smiled. Sometimes a mind-reader could be fun. Angel was no exception. She would always be my favorite (next to Fang, of course). I waited to make sure Iggy, Nudge and Gazzy were paying attention.

"It says we need to look at those papers we stole and find an Experiment 14-13." Angel and Nudge both got really excited at that. And when Nudge gets excited, look out. Here comes the constant chatter.

"I wonder if the experiment is like us! You know, with wings and stuff!" Nudge was getting excited by her own thoughts. I ruffled her hair.

"I don't know, Nudge." I got this sudden feeling that someone was behind me, which really freaks me out.

Then just as arms reached around to grab me I faked to the left, grab its arm, and flung it into the nearest tree. I heard a muffled groan as Fang slowly stood up trying to regain the breathe I knocked out of him. I smirked as I said, "Well that's what you get for sneaking up on me. Did you get anything useful while you were out or did you decide to practice your disappearing act instead?" He gave me one of those looks that sends my heart racing. The same way it always does when I'm near him.

You know that feeling were your heart wants to ripe out of your chest in fear but your so happy that you want to stay so you feel like your body is about to be ripped to incredibly tiny bits? No? Well that's what it felt like. And I loved every minute of it.

Later that night while the rest were sleeping I felt a light tap on my shoulder. Instantly I knew it was Fang. I felt my heart jump a little at his presence.

"Want to get out of here for a little while?" Instead of responding I took off in flight. Just before I was off the ground, I heard Iggy mutter 'oh brother' and Gasman pretending to gag. Nudge was laughing to herself, and Angel told me she was smiling. I guess they weren't really sleeping after all. I'm going to have to remember to kick their butts later.

When we finally got out of sight we slowed down and faced each other beating our wings at the same rate. I loved the feel of him close. To have him so near to me was scary and exhilarating at the same time. After a quick, sweet kiss, Fang said, "So what's the deal with this experiment?" I shook myself back to reality.

"I'm not sure. Lets stop somewhere." We found a tree branch wide enough for both of us. I pulled out the papers and scanned them over, basically looking for key words to help explain some things.

"Experiment 14-13, Crystal, Oklahoma," Fang read aloud. As he kept on reading, it became more clear that this latest 'assignment' of mine was dealing with a human/avian hybrid.

And this experiment wasn't the only one listed.