A/N: Why hello again strangers. It's me again. Continueing to write sappy Max Ride fanfics. Yeah...that's me. Anyways...I wanted to try something new. And there's just a few things I have to clarify before we begin my newest creation. Ahem...

Ages - Max: 19 Fang: 19 Nudge: 16 Iggy: 18 1/2 Gazzy: 13 Angel: 11 Total: I have no frickin idea. He can be a gazzilion years old if you want.

Relationship Status: Max and Fang are already together. Nudge has a boyfriend. (No, it's not Iggy) Oh Dr. Martinez is getting remarried. (Not to that Jeb weirdo, though. Some random guy she met at a veterinary convention. Let's just pretend those exist, okay?) None of the others in the flock are dating.

This is in no way shape or form a sequel to my last story. But...I guess it sorta could be if you wanted it to. Don't worry..you don't have to have read my last one to understand this one. Now...I'll stop chattering and get on with the story. Enjoy!

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Chapter 1: High Flying in San Francisco

Max's POV

"Look, Max! It's the Golden Gate Bridge!" I glanced down through the thick swath of clouds to the large formation below me. It was the Golden Gate Bridge in all its wonder an glory, and all that. I should probably explain why the heck me and the flock are in San Francisco. If you have absolutely no idea why a bunch of kids are flying over the Golden Gate Bridge, or why I refer to my friends as "the flock", then I invite you to go somewhere else and Google me, 'cause I'm not taking the time to explain. Anyways... In a nut shell, my Mom's getting remarried. It's in about a week, but we decided to come down early to see everyone. My mom had moved out here a couple years ago and met some guy at one of her veterinary conventions. If you ask me, that seems kinda wierd, but I shouldn't be talking. It's been a little while since we 'saved the world'. Two years, about. It's a long story...don't ask. I'm 19 now. My wonderful boyfriend, Fang just recently turned 19 as well. Nudge is still the mouth of the family, and Iggy and Gazzy are still my little pyros. Not alot has changed since we were 14. Everything's perfect now...that's why I can't figure out why everything feels so wrong. Like something's missing. I never thought I'd say this,but...I think I miss trying to save the world. Think about it. You're never bored when you're trying to save the entire frickin' world. You don't have to worry about all the other stupid teenage stuff like getting a boyfriend or having a cellphone, 'cause you're most likely more concerned with saving the world. But...some things are nice about being finished, too. Like, just having days where you can watch bad cartoons in your pajamas all day. Or getting to see my mom more. It's kinda nice. Anyways, we'd been flying for probably about two hours. We'd had a little temporary place in Arizona with one of my mom's old friends, and then we got a little bit of a more permanent one in Seattle. Me, Fang, and Iggy had taken part time jobs wherever we could find them and Nudge had a summer job at some boutique out in Renton, so she'd go up and stay with friends there on weekends when she worked. We were trying to put the younger ones through highschool and middleschool so far. I'm not sure we'll be able to do college, though. I'll stop worrying now. After all, my mom is getting married. I've never met the guy. Can't even remember his name. I think it was Dave or something. This should be interesting. I shifted the package under my arms nervously. I seriously hope he's a nice guy. I don't know how I'm gonna break the news to him that I'm a bird kid. I'm not sure I want to. Anyways, the package I had under my arm was for Ella. Her birthday had been about a month ago, and I wanted to get her something. She seemed to like Taylor Swift alot, so I had gotten her tickets to go see one of her shows. I didn't really know who this chick was. I think Nudge might listen to her. I like bands more like Paramore and even a little Slipknot when I'm angry.

"Max? How much farther?" Angel asked as she flew up beside me. She had really grown up. She was always really cute, but now she was getting to be really beautiful. She had cut her hair kinda short and sported a tan from when we were in Arizona. Since she looked about three years older than she actually is, I'd seen alot of guys eyeing her up. It made me want to lock her up in a tower so none of them could get near her. She's still my baby. I don't want some creep on the street to steal her away from me! That would be awful! Speaking of guys....Nudge has a new boyfriend. He's a cutie too. I mean, for a 16 year old. She met him down in Renton at one of her friend's sixteenth birthday parties last year, and they've been together ever since. Nudge had been talking about maybe going to highschool down in Renton. That thought scared me a bit. Renton's only a little ways away from Seattle, but we were thinking about moving back to Virginia. It would be much nicer there. With more open space. "Max?" Angel asked again. I snapped back to attention.

"Only about ten more minutes, hon. We're almost there." I reasurred her. She nodded and flew back towards Nudge who had her ipod in. I could hear some boy band blaring out the speakers. I rolled my eyes. Nudge and her boy bands.... I resumed my attention to the beautiful sky out in front of me. It was splashed with reds and oranges, and the fog made it look even cooler. I sighed contentedly. This was what I had always wanted. But then...why did I feel so empty?

"Hey...how's it going?" asked Fang as he flew up beside me and grasped my hand. He was still quiet and all (I think he always will be), but he'd been more talkative than he ever had been in the last few months. And he had gotten even more unbelievable gorgeous as he had grown up. I was a lucky girl.

"Fine...I'm just...looking at the view." I said absently. "Pretty, isn't it?"

"Yeah...she sure is..." Fang said, not taking his eyes off me. I blushed and shoved him playfully.

"Stop it." I teased.

"Make me." he retorted. And with that, he grabbed me around the waist and pulled me to his chest. He quickly kissed my cheek and then released me. "So...it'll be nice to see your mom again." he said. I nodded. "I'm not sure what to think of this Steven guy, though." he continued. So that's what his name was. Fang was always way better with names than any of the rest of us.

"I dunno...he sounds nice." I shrugged casually, though I was a little worried myself. I would get over it, though. We just flew silently for a couple of minutes before we were so politely interrupted by a rather hyper Gazzy.

"Hey guys! I think that's it! I think I see the house! You said it was on Mason Blvd. right?" he shouted excitedly. I shushed him and pulled the piece of paper with the address on it out of my pocket. I could barely make out my scrawny, scrunched up scribble. I had taken it down at the last minute.

"Uh...yep. 114 Mason Blvd." I informed him, squinting so I could read my writing. Jeese...I'm pathetic. I can save the world and all of my family and friends, yet I can't read my own writing!

"Yeah! There it is! The big white one!" Gazzy pointed eagerly towards the ground. My hawk eyes allowed me to make out the form of a semi-large white house down below us.

"All right guys! Let's land over there, in that woodsy area! We can walk the rest of the way. It'll only take, like, five minutes! Everyone down!" I shouted before going into a straight dive. We were coming closer and closer to the trees. Finally, with about an inch to spare, I pulled out of the dive and landed smoothly on the ground. The others pulled into a gracefull stop as well. Except for Gazzy, who was still a little overexcited for any sort of smooth landing. We pushed through the scrubby underbrush and finally emerged onto a large street. It was cooler now that it was late, but warm enough. "Let's see...112...113...114!" I said as we came upon the house. It was really very beautiful. It was all white except for the green shutters on the four large windows that faced us. It's walkway, lined with all sorts of flowers and even a blossom tree, ended in a set of stairs, which led up to a large wooden door with a brass knocker on it. There was even a small tower built in. I could see why my mom picked this house. Large, but cozy with a nice design and lots of room for plants. My mom was a huge gardening buff. It was rediculous. Suddenly the door swung open and out came none other than my mother herself.

"Hi, kids! How are you? You have a nice flight? It sure is nice out today, huh?" she babbled as she ran down the walkway to meet us. She wrapped me in a big hug and continued to the same for the rest of us. Even Fang got a hug. Aww... "Ella's out with some friends right now, but she'll be back later tonight. Oh! I'm so glad you're here! Come in! Come in!" I rolled my eyes. I know it's been forever since I last saw her, but I think she was being a little overwelcoming. Once inside the house, I realized it was pretty fairly sized. The entrance hallway was dark green with wood paneling and a few coat hooks. We followed her through to the living room. "Go on...make yourselves at home." she offered. Gazzy instantly flopped down on the couch and Iggy plopped down next to him. Total scrambled up onto a large recliner in the corner of the room. I sniffed the air.

"Ooh! Are you making chocolate chip cookies, mom?!" I asked. The room was filled up with the sweet scent of them. She smirked.

"Maybe...You'll have to wait and see." she teased. I giggled. Ahh...it was nice to be home. "All right...so, I'll go get those cookies ready and then I'll show you your rooms. I hope you don't mind...I've got Iggy and Gazzy sharing, and then Angel and Nudge. You and Fang have your own rooms." she told me. We all nodded. This is how we were used to being split up. It was routine. My mom hurried off to go tend to the sacred cookies.

"This is a nice house." Nudge said appreciatively, glancing around. I nodded. There was silence for a minute and then my mom came back with the cookies. Everyone swarmed around her like bees drawn to honey. They all stuffed their little faces with them, and by the time I got there, the platter was empty.

"Hey...no fair." I pouted. My mom could forget how much we ate. I hope she'd cooked a bigger dinner. Fang chuckled and threw his arm around my shoulder.

"Chill, Max. Here...you can have half of mine." He broke his remaining cookie in half and gave one to me. I contentedly shoved it into my mouth. Fang shook his head and squeezed my shoulders. My mom grinned at the two of us. We'd only just told her we were together the last time we'd been up here, which was about seven months ago.

"All right. Let's go get you settled in. Nudge and Angels' room is just down the hall. The rest of you guys' rooms are upstairs. Ella's is down here too." She ushered us into a sorta large purple room. The carpet was shaggy. It felt nice on my now bare feet. The two beds were small, but we'd only be here for a couple days. Nudge squealed in excitement.

"Ooh! I love this room! It's my fave color too!" she exclaimed. She plopped down on a bed and swung her luggage up with her. I'd told everyone to pack light, 'cause whatever they brought, they would have to carry. Nudge had nearly fallen out of the sky. At least all the dresses for the wedding were already here. Did I mention I was going to be a bridesmaid? So is Nudge. Angel's gonna be the flower girl, and Ella's the maid of honor. The guys didn't get to be in the wedding, though, 'cause Steve didn't even know them. Haha! I'm still kinda laughing about that. After that, we found Iggy and Gazzy's room upstairs. Then we wen to to check out mine and Fang's. Fang's was dark with a large bed and a little desk in the corner. He only had one small window. It suited him perfectly. I laughed.

"You sure know Fang well." I told my mom. She laughed along with me. Fang was quiet. I came up behind him and whispered into his ear, "Can I borrow your i-pod?" He shivered slightly. I giggled at his reaction. He tossed me the ipod and then basically backed us out of the room at gun point so he could unpack. Finally, we made it to my room. It was down the hall and to the left from the rest of the guys. I pushed open the door and gasped. The room was beautiful! It was all white with really high ceilings. The carpet was a really pale blue and the bed was a slightly darker blue. Behind my bed, were to huge windows looking out to the backyard. It was very bright and home like. The exact opposite of Fang's. "Oh mom! Thanks. It's perfect." I wandered into the room and set my stuff on the bed. "You didn't have to do all this for us." I told her. She shook her head.

"No... this was the guest room. And Fang's happened to have an extra bed in it. The rest was easy to put in. Steve gets old furniture from yard sales all the time. The other stuff was easy to find. You guys were gonna be up here for a while, so I figured I could rearrange everyone's rooms and stuff. It was fun!" she assured me. I looked around again. Oh...this was the kind of stuff I wish I could give the flock. I flopped onto my bed and layed backwards. I sighed happily. I heard the bed creak. My mom had sat down on the bed. I glanced over at her. She patted my knee. "Oh, Max...you grew up so fast. You were always so mature for your age, but...now you're actually getting older. You're almost 20. And Ella's 17 now. Before I know it, everyone will be long gone. I'll be all alone." I groaned.

"Oh, mom. Not this again!" I said. She laughed a little.

"I know...I know...I've told you this a million times, but I never get tired of saying it, even if you get tired of hearing it." she said quietly. I sat up and hugged her.

"Oh mom. I'll always love you. No matter how far away from you I am. The same goes for Ella. I know she feels the same way. Even ask her." I said. She nodded and kissed my forehead.

"Did I ever tell you what a beautiful young woman you've grown up to be?" she said. I blushed. "I am so proud of you Maximum Ride. So proud...you really are a wonderful young lady, and someday, if you ever have kids, you'll know just how very much I love you."

"Stop it..." I muttered bashfully.

"All right..I'll let you get settled in." She got up and started to walk towards the door. Before she reached it, she spun around. "Hey Max?" I glanced up at her. "How are things with you and Fang going?" she asked. I nodded.

"Pretty good..." I said casually. She gave me the look.

"Pretty good? Only pretty good?" she asked in surprise.

"Okay..It's wonderful." I gushed quietly. "We get along really great, and I just love him to death."

"How long have you guys been together now?" she asked. I thought for a minute.

"About five years now. I mean...I'm not gonna say we never broke up or anything. We did once or twice. There was one whole year where we just decided to date other people and stay friends, but I never could stay away from him for long. I didn't even really date that year. I went out a few times, but it hardly ever lasted more than a few weeks. But that was back when we were like, sixteen and still trying to figure everything out. We've been going steady since then." I told her, recalling that boring year without him. Life just wasn't quite the same when I was 'just friends' with Fang. Just something about it seemed wierd to me. Haha! And before, I used to think it was wierd that we liked eachother more than friends! I guess things change. Me and my mom were quiet for a minute.

"So...things are pretty serious?" she asked casually like it didn't matter, but I could tell it really did. I shrugged.

"I guess you could say that..." I thought for a little. Were we serious? Now that I think about it...yeah. I guess we were. We'd been together for a long time now. Things were serious. I'd never once considered breaking up with him since we were 16. I wonder if we're as serious to him as we are to me. It gave me something to think about, that's for sure.

"Just...be careful and everything." she said. I looked at her funny.

"I don't think he's planning on breaking up with me anytime soon. I think we're okay on that end." I told her. Gee..I hope he isn't thinking about that sort of stuff.

"No...just be careful it doesn't get too serious." I gasped as I finally grasped what she was hinting at.

"Oh...jeese! No...it's not quite like that with us. I mean..we don't--ya know." I stuttered.

"I know...I'm just telling you for future reference. And, if you ever need to talk to me about anything, I'm here for you." Then she kissed my forehead again and left me to unpack. I grabbed my clothes and started shoving them in the small closet. Then I unpacked my other stuff like bathroom crap (brushes, toothpaste, ect.). I slipped the ipod buds into my ear and swithched it to some loud screamo song Fang had on here. I laughed. I foung Fang's music choice very entertaining. I was just unpacking one of the only books I owned (West With the Night. I'd found it in the basement of my mom's old place. Only recently got a chance to read it. I like it, but it was kinda hard to understand.), when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I jumped around, pulling the ear buds out. I screamed. Standing right in front of me was a strange man I had never seen before.

"Ahhh! Freak!" I yelled befor proceeding to beat him over the head with my book.

"Ow! Wait! Max--stop!" he yelled

"How do you know my name, you stalker?!" I shouted back, still hitting him with the book. See...they aren't just for reading. The door burst open and Fang stormed in. He was followed closely by my mom and the others who must have heard the noise as well.

"Max!" Fang yelled, grabbing my arm midswing. "Stop!" I looked at him, confused. This man broke into our house and he's telling me to stop trying to save us all?!

"Max..." said my mom, walking slowly towards us. "This is my fiance, Steven. He just came up to say hi to you guys." I glanced down at the guy. He was slowly climbing to his feet, rubbing his head where I had hit him. I blushed.

"Haha...Uh...sorry about that. I...uh...thought you were a burgler." I said sheepishly. He chuckled a little.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to sneak up on you like that. I didn't know you were listening to music. I apologize for startling you." His voice was slightly formal. A weird tone for me. I shook my head and apologized as well for attempting to bludgeon him. "Anyways...it's nice to meet you all. I can't wait for you to be part of the family. Val has told me so much about you all. I can't wait to get to know you." he told us after the apology fest. He seemed so stiff and formal. Not at all the kind of person I had expected my mom to choose. But...I guess if they were happy together.

"Ella should be home any time now, so I'll start with dinner. How does tacos sound? I think that's all I have ingredients for..." Her voice trailed off as she shuffled downstairs. Angel and Nudge followed, and Gazzy trailed off at the word tacos. That left me, Iggy and Fang alone in my room. We were quiet for a minute.

"So..." Iggy said finally. "What do ya think of him?" I shrugged. Fang did the same.

"I dunno...he seems kind of upthight. But, maybe that's just because I tried to beat him to unconciousness." I said. They both chuckled. "He seems like a nice guy, though." We all nodded.

"Anyway...I'm gonna go down and check out the tacos. See ya." And then Iggy slipped out the door, shutting it silently behind him. Everything was quiet. Fang sat down on the bed. I followed suit. We held hands and just sat in companionable silence for awhile.

"So..." he began. "Liking the house?" I nodded. It seemed like he was avoiding something. Like he was afraid to talk about something. "So..." he said again. I rolled my eyes. Thankfully, he didn't catch it. "I heard your mom talking to you." This got my attention.

"Oh?" I asked, implying that I wanted to know more.

"About...certain stuff...concerning how 'serious' our relationship is." he said quietly. I blushed, knowing what he was getting at. "We never really talked about anything like that." He was almost whispering now. Neither of us could even make eye contact with eachother. I shook my head no. "And...I just want you to know. I would never...ya know...pressure you to do something like that." he said. I smiled, lightly.

"I know you wouldn't. You're to much of a gentleman. Most of the time, anyways." I teased him. He smiled a little too.

"Yeah...but if anything I do ever bothers you, or makes you uncomfortable, or anything, just tell me, okay? I don't want things to be all awkward with us. I figured we were past the stage." I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"Okay...I promise I will. Now come on. Lets go get some tacos before the kids eat um all."

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A/N: Okay...yeah. That's the first chapter. I'm trying something completely different this time than my last story. No...this is not meant to be funny. It's supposed to be more of a serious story. I hope you liked it. If not...I don't give a crap. But review anyways. I need people to tell me if it absolutely sucks so I can make it better. Thanks for reading. Review!