Chapter one.

Fangs Pov.

"Damn!" I growled as I slammed my fist into the wall, drawing blood once again. I glanced towards the cave entrance, watching Max fly away. I couldn't of just left it could I? I had to lean in and kiss her knowing full well that she would run away, and even though she always does I still live in hope that maybe one time she won't, unfortunate for me, she constantly shatters my heart.

I leant against the cave wall, slipping down into a sitting position, my knee's up against my chest. I knew, like always, I'd have to pretend it never happened, avoid her until all the awkwardness dies. I stood up, brushing the dust and smaller rocks off my pants before launching myself out of the cave entrance back towards the flock. Landing back in the forest I walked towards our small smouldering fire and sat near it, soaking in its warm heat. The flock silently acknowledged my presence, Iggy with a nod, Angel with a smile, Gazzy with a shrug, Nudge with a look up and Max blatantly ignoring me. I smiled inwardly before remembering Angel could, and usually did, read minds, I glanced towards her giggling figure and cursed myself. "It's ok Fang, I heard it in Max's thought's first" Angel thought to me. I smiled quickly before going back to my emotionless mask. I had made an impression on the great Max Ride!

Later on, I was sitting in the trees, hidden by the shadows. I was watching the flock, how they operate. Iggy was the cook, instructing Gazzy how to make the latest bomb. Nudge and Angel where chatting to each other and Max was watching over them. I was tempted to go over and talk to her but I was restricted, not only by my non-socialising exterior, but by the kissing rule: no conversations for at least two days. However, my urge quickly won over reason as Max caught my eye and blushed. Perfect! Silently I got up and jumped down, out of the trees walking towards Max. "Hey" I whispered once she was in ear shot. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Hey" she muttered back, obviously oblivious to the fact I was speaking to her despite our unwritten rule.

"What you thinking?" I asked sensing her distress.

"I think the flock's suffered enough outdoors, tomorrow we'll spend the night in a hotel" she said loud enough for the flock to hear her.

Immediately they burst into excitement at the thought of sleeping indoors for a change. "Max really…" Nudge started to speak, we all just rolled our eyes and droned her our, as usual.

"What do you think?" Max asked me over Nudge's babble. I shrugged showing I didn't mind and Max immediately became more confidant (if possible). I slugged off back to my seat before waiting for the flocks excitement to die down. Once it had Iggy announced dinner was ready. I wandered over to grab some food and dropped down on the floor next to Max. She looked at me and smiled before digging into her own food. We ate in silence.

Once finished we agreed I would be first on watch and just sat in peace, Nudge and Angel where whispering to each other giggling, like they do every night. Iggy and the Gasman sat up fiddling with their latest bomb technology, Max was, once again, watching over them all and I'd blended into the background full and content. I watched as Max got up, scraping her blonde wavy hair into a scruffy pony, and fumbled in the darkness. After a while of wondering what she was doing I heard her call out my name. I shook my head, once again making myself visible. She grinned and sauntered over towards me. Sinking onto the floor next to me she shuddered. I grinned, I'd grown accustomed to the cold away from the fire. She shivered again and without a seconds thought I put my arm around her shoulder intent on warming her up, although once my arm was there I realised what a stupid and awkward mistake that was given our relationship at the moment. She shifted embarrassed at our position and I debated moving my arm away again. "How are you so warm?" she asked. I allowed a slight chuckle to escape my lips before shrugging effortlessly.

"Guess I'm just a warm person" I stated earning a laugh from Max. She rested her head on my shoulder. Whoa! That was a shock. Then, before I had a chance to mull over our new position she stood abruptly. Startled, I blinked.

"Sorry" Max muttered.

"For what?" I asked, truly confused.

"Everything" she replied, turning around to leave. She hesitated long enough for me to notice.

"Just sit down Max" I ordered, placing a small smile on my face. She shrugged and sat back down. I didn't put my arm around her this time instead we just sat, muttering the odd word every now and then. I noticed her eyes droop slightly, seeing all the other flock members already peacefully slumbering. "Tired Max?" I enquired smirking smugly.

"Mmmhhh" she mumbled incoherently. She sunk down onto my shoulder completely asleep. I grinned, leaning back against the tree I was currently sitting in front of and watching.

As the night bore on I became increasingly aware of a drowsing Max resting on my shoulder. I knew she'd freak out when she awoke but I was to content to think about that now. She stirred and her head fell from my shoulder to my chest. Noticing for the first time her blue lips and goose bump covered body I wrapped an arm around her shoulders as I had done before, allowing my warmth to seep into her cold body. She smiled against my chest and burrowed her head into my shirt.

I looked to the sky, seeing the night had already passed and decided it was too late to ask anyone to switch shifts. The sun rose slowly yet I didn't tire of watching it climb the heavens. I leant my head back against the tree, sighing happily. Max moved more in my grip and I realised she was soon going to wake. I shifted my weight beneath her so at least I was comfy whilst she was freaking out. Her eyes snapped open and she shot up. "Whaa…" was the first thing she said, glancing down at my smiling form. "Have you been up all night?" she asked avoiding the subject I was so desperate to confront.

"Kinda" I allowed myself to say.

"And you just sat there?"

"Hard to move with you on top of me" I chuckled. She glared at me.

"You could of just moved me!"

"Yeah" I mused "But where's the fun in that?"