The Spawn
By Izzy Evans
Hey guys. Izzy here. Any who. I know that I have at least four other stories going on. I realize this. But Asylum and this one are both pre written so we have no problems there. Input out put and enjoy. Don't kill me!! This is many many years after the fourth book. Seriously don't murder me in my sleep.
"Remind me again why we had to get a cat?"
"Because we had a traumatic child hood filled with extraordinarily large dogs. And it's not right to cage birds!" Max laughed, dancing around her kitchen. Fang sighed loudly and went to change his shirt. AGAIN.
"If you're so worried about your shirt, why don't you wear a different colour?!" She called behind him.
"I don't HAVE any other colors!!" He huffed.
"Then don't pick up Meowy." Max said simply, shrugging her thin shoulders. Fang came out, wearing black again. Max's orange and white cat purred. Fang glared at him.
"You gave your cat the weirdest name." Fang remarked.
"Meowy mic-yow-pants is….a little weird." She smiled. "And he's your cat too." Fang started to argue that she'd wanted it and that he said that they didn't need a cat, but Max was pouting.
"Our cat," he sighed. She smiled brightly.
"Are you going to be gone ALL DAY?" Max asked.
"I get off at seven. I hope. Don't you have anything to do today?" He asked. Fang wished he could take back the question right when he finished. Her eyes flashed.
"Well…I could hang out with Iggy and Gazzy at work today…" She shrugged, going to change.
"No! Isn't there anything ELSE for you to do?" He begged.
"Do you really think my brothers are going to let me get hurt? Besides, I lived with them for ten years! I can deal with a few hours!" She giggled.
"That's not what I'm worried about." He grumbled. He just didn't want her hanging around with all those guys that Iggy and Gazzy worked with. Yes, Gazzy had a job as a pyro-technician at the age of fifteen. Angel worked with the police. She's their human lie detector. Top secret, though. Nudges an investigator for CSI's and she's good at it. What with her powers? Fang was a lot of different things in one. Some days he's a spy, others an assassin, and still others a bomb-dewirer person thingy. And he wanted so badly to take Max to work with him, but he didn't want her getting hurt. Fang gets shot at a LOT at work. He didn't tell Max where he worked. She thought he was a police officer (a good excuse to come home with bullet holes). He was making a ton of money, so she didn't even have to work. She seemed to hate this. But some how, while he's at work, she managed to find something to do all day. When he came home, none of th games, TV's, computers, or radios had been touched.
XXX XXX XXX
"What do you do all day?" Fang asked as they flew over the city.
"I just…walk around." Max shrugged. Fang saw her eyes: She was hiding something. He gulped down his panicky thoughts, trying to smooth his expression.
"You walk around? Where do you go?" He asked casually. Or so he thought. Max flew over him, so close that he could feel her wings touch his on every down stroke.
"What are you so worried about? It's not like I'm doing anything shady!" She laughed. Even though he was assured, he still wanted to know. Curiosity killed the annoying bird man boy friend.
"Well, where do you go?" he huffed. Her hand was suddenly rubbing the back of his neck.
'No where. I just go window shopping! I can't believe that out of the whole flock, I'm the only one without a job!" She spiraled away, playing while she could.
Max sighed. That was too close. He'd almost got her. He was so uptight about her not having a job. Of course, she did, but he didn't have to know that. She didn't completely LIKE her job, but it's the only thing Fang wouldn't see. She…models …for…a fashion magazine and it agonizes her everyday. It hurt her pride to admit it to herself.
"What's wrong?" Fang asked. Max 'felt' her face with her mind and realized the expression she wore was one of a sour pout. Her lips were pursed and her eyes were narrowed. She smoothed her expression before answering.
"Nothing, just thinking about all the gun powder I'll have to smell today." A very little part of today. She added in thought. Fang nodded,
"You sure you don't want to change? I mean, I've still got an hour!" He said. Max sighed. Compared to some of the other outfits she'd be wearing today, this was church worthy. She was wearing a tight, thin red top over shorts that came to just the tops of her thighs; she's wearing simple sneakers. Her hair almost made it to her elbows when she wore it down like she was today. "Positive!" She gave him a winning smile. Her favorite part of smiling was the reaction she got from Fang. His whole face relaxed and he seem to brighten a bit.
"Fine." He grumbled. He always…worried that she'd find someone she wanted more.
"Silly boy," she muttered, shaking her head. Though Fang was defiantly no boy: he's twenty one, toned, and very grown up.
Fang sighed. This was the part of the day he didn't like. Leaving Max. Iggy was still sleeping when they got to the apartment that he shared with Gazzy and Tally.
"You sure you're going to call me at 3 o'clock?" Fang asked, hands on Max's shoulders.
"I swear, you are the most insecure man I've ever met!" She said, leaning up casually and kissing his lips. He sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist. He could feel her smile against his lips, pulling back. Fang let out a whine and leaned down, kissing her again. A small cough caused him to pull back abruptly. Gazzy was fifteen and turning into a young Iggy. His hair was a shad lighter than Iggy's and he looked a lot more relaxed than Iggy ever did at fifteen. He still looked innocently happy though. He made a face, then gave Max a hug. "You're coming to work with us today, Max?" He grinned, not letting go of her. It was Gazzy's way of showing affection. Fang had to remind himself that the Gasman was her adopted brother.
"Yup, where's Ig?" She asked, letting Gazzy lead her in. Fang followed silently.
"Hey, Fang? You gonna leave her with all these guys all day?" Gazzy joked, winking at him.
"I trusted you guys to watch her." Fang said, keeping his tone light and airy. Gazzy laughed at the glare Max threw Fang.
"I don't need a baby-sitter, Fang! I'm twenty-one years old!!" She snapped, putting her hands on her hips.
"Well, Maximum Ride, you never know." He grinned. She smiled back at him, turning around and heading towards Iggy's room. Fang grinned wider under his still long hair. He opened the door and slowly went in. Ig let out a loud snort: either Fang or Max jumped on him every time they came over. Max let out a battle cry and made a flying- no pun intended -leap towards the bed. Iggy yelped, thrashing around.
"Wha-?!" Iggy yelled, not quite catching on. His elbow connected with Max's mouth. Fang winced, clearing his throat. "Iggy, calm down, it's Max." He called in a soothing tone he used to calm newbie's with their first wound. Iggy stopped thrashing and shook out his wings.
"I knew that. I was just checking." He grinned. Max touched her bleeding lip, muttering something about Pierre being pissed.
"Who?" Fang couldn't hide the jealousy in his voice. Max looked at Gazzy helplessly.
"Our boss. He doesn't like for people to have open wounds around the gun powder." he didn't seem to be lying.
"What happened again?" Iggy asked. Max sighed. "I ran into your elbow. I'll live." Fang left Max with Iggy and Gazzy at around seven oh eight. She turned to them and smiled big.
"I have until nine. Then I've got to go to work." She threw her arms around Iggy and hugged him tight. "It's been three weeks! I missed you guys! And your cooking!" She added. Iggy laughed and headed towards the kitchen. Gazzy was bouncing up and down excitedly.
"Guess what?" He said, glancing towards the living room.
"What?"
"We got a new killing game to try out!" They squealed and raced for first player. Max beat him, using her wings and longer legs.
"What kind of mans name is PIERRE?" Gazzy teased.
"Look who's talkin' Gasman." She shot, slamming her fingers down hard on the buttons of the controller. He grimaced, pulling the right trigger to shoot. "Ahah! I found tha bomb-" He was cut off as the 'bomb' exploded, killing his character.
"Actually, I found Bomb. You, you found MY bomb." Max got up and did a victory dance.
"Breakfast!" Iggy yelled. Tally's lime streaked hair flew past everyone and to the table.
"Hungry Tally?" Max laughed. Tally nodded, already shoving eggs down her throat. She froze suddenly, her head slowly turning towards Max. "Mhhx!!" She yelled around her mouthful of eggs and bread. Max waited, bracing herself for either a hug or a punch to the shoulder. Unfortunately, she got the later.
"Why'd you leave for so long?!" Tally snapped. Max mentally counted to ten. Hadn't she told everyone that she was going to see her mother for a little while? "I told you, I was going to seem my mother." She said with an exasperated expression.
"Oh yeah! Pierre isn't going to like that split lip. Are you fighting again?" Tally asked in a disapproving tone.
"I'm sorry, Mommy… I swear I'll never street fight again." Max said, batting her eyelashes. "Just kidding. Iggy accidentally elbowed me." She smirked, waving her hand around. Iggy and Gasman were already eating. "Let's hurry and eat before the guys eat it ALL!" Tally yelled, grabbing her plate.
XXX XXX XXX
Fang watched his apprentice talk carefully to their target. He was the supposed leader of a murderous mob. Their group did a terrible job at cleaning up after themselves, too. They never checked for hidden cameras or for people watching. A woman had seen this man murder their latest victim- an old man, who looked to be a rich widow. Guy thingy. Whatever. Hunter wasn't doing a very good job- he looked nervous and sounded like a cop. Fang sighed and relaxed his shoulders, walking up behind the nineteen year old. "I can take it from here Will." Fang smiled tightly, turning towards the cashier. "Please excuse him. My brother gets nervous talking to strangers. I would like a black coffee and a coffee with two creams and three sugars." Fang spoke lightly, as if he actually drank coffee. The man smiled and rang him up.
"Sure thing. That'll be eight forty please." Fang suppressed a sigh as he reached into his pocket and handed the man a ten. He got his change and waited, signaling Hunter to clear the place out. He nodded ever so slightly and flashed his badge to some towns folk, making them shiver and leave.
Once everyone was cleared out very subtly, Fang stood up swiftly, hand on his gun. "Put your hands up, Owen." He said ever so softly. The cashier- Ryan Owen -looked confused.
"What? Why?" Hunter was right behind him, flashing his badge again. "We're going to take you by force, if we have to." He said. Fang rolled his eyes, but stayed tense and focused.
"Why are you going to take me?" Ryan asked. Either he was a great actor, or he was genuinely confused and didn't know why he would be getting arrested.
"For killing-"
"Will!" Fang snapped. The code name was for his safety, but the kid was a menace. "Do you know this woman?" He asked, showing a picture of their so called witness.
"Yes, that's my sisters neighbor. Bitch hates me." Ryan grunted. Fang sighed.
"Do you think she does anything illegal?" Hunter asked, all too straight forward.
"I heard once that she was in a mob but I don't- Kayla! How…NICE to see you." Ryan said through gritted teeth. Fang cocked his head slightly and saw their witness, pointing a gun at his back. His wings twitched. He wondered if he should open them. 'That'd sure throw her off.' he thought, cracking a small smirk. Of course, it'd hurt like hell if she shot one of is wings. Hunter began to fidget nervously.
"Officer, you seem to have failed to get your man. Pity, I thought you were kinda cute, too." She cocked the gun.
'I'm sure I have my…man right now. But just to rain on your parade, I'm taken." Fang said, turning fully around, putting his hands up. Hunter did the same. "Turn around." Ryan's voice shocked him. He sounded scared. So Fang turned around quickly, ducking his head. BANG! Searing pain erupted in his right wing. Growling, he turned around and knocked the gun from Kayla's hand. She was quick, too, though and she grabbed Hunters gun. 'Too slow.' Fang thought. The butt of his gun smacked into the back of her head. She crumpled to the ground and he pulled out his cell phone, wincing as the movement caused pain in his wing. Hunters body hit the ground with a low thud, his head making a sickening slap. "Yo, boss, we got her." Fang said, hanging up quickly and cuffing Kayla's limp hands. "Ryan, call someone to pick you up. This is about to become one crowded mother." Fang said, his voice calm and soft despite his bleeding bullet wound.
His shirt was soaked by the time the ambulance got there. They dragged him out, promising to fix his back.
"No, I'll…go to the hospital myself. I'm fine, really." Fang said, putting his hands up.
"You're going to have to come with us, kid. I'm not go-"
"Let him be. We called his closest…'family'. She'll be here in a second." A silver car pulled up on cue and Max jumped out, looking confused.
"F-Nick?! What happened? What's all over your shirt?" She demanded, her face full of worry. When she reached him, she ran her hand over his shirt, bringing it to her face. It was tinted dark red. "Fang?" She whispered, tears in her eyes.
"Let's go home." He murmured, kissing her cheek. Max led the way to the car, opening his door. "I'm supposed to open the door for you." Fang heaved a laugh, trying not to wince for Max's sake.
As she drove, Max tried to concentrate on breathing and NOT crashing into a ditch. Fang was bleeding and it looked like he was in a lot of pain. 'Why isn't he in uniform?' She thought. If he was a police officer, he should have been in uniform, right?
"Max?! Max!" Fang yelled. Max blinked and let out a small yelp. She was in the wrong lane, heading straight for a Ford. She swerved sharply to the right then slightly to the left to avoid going off the road.
"Are you alright??" She asked looking at Fang in the rearview mirror just in time for her to catch the terrible grimace on his face.
"I'm fine, Max, just…it's just a small…" he trailed off. If it was more than a clipped wing or shoulder, than it wasn't small. She'd seen and had small on herself and on Fang. If the bullet had lodged itself in his skin, then it wasn't small.
"Don't start with me Fang. This is the second time you've been hurt badly. But the first time, they didn't need to call me." Max snapped, her eyes fixed on the road.
When they got home Max forced Fang down on the couch and told him to take his shirt off. She grabbed the phone and first aid kit. She dialed her mothers number.
"Hello?" Ella's voice surprised Max.
"Ella, get mom quickly. This is an emergency." Max snapped, then exhaled. Fang was sitting shirtless on the couch, blood dripping from his dark wings. Meowy licked it, then backed away, fur bristled. He hissed slightly. Fang laughed and pet his head.
"Max?" Dr. Martinez sounded breathless. "What's the emergency?''
"Fang got shot in the wing. I need some guidance on how to fix him." Max opened the med kit her mother left here in case of an emergency.
"Okay, first you need to clean the wound." She said, trying to tone down the worry.
XXX, XXX. XXX
When she completely finished, Max took her time putting everything away. She was afraid to ask why he wasn't in uniform like he said he usually was.
"Max?" Fang asked, voice wary.
"Fang?" She asked, her tone sounding hurt. Fang caught up to her, pulling her into a hug; she pulled away, fearful. "Get ready to explain…I'm going to call a pizza place." She sighed, wiping tears from her eyes. She heard a sigh from behind her. 'Great,' she thought, 'he's guilty.'
Fang fidgeted, not wanting to look Max in the eyes as they ate together. She was angry, but she didn't know why, he could see that. Her face was hurt, angry, and confused, her eyes bright with her thoughts. Tears leaked down her cheeks.
"Max…" he started, not quite sure what to say. Max looked up, but only for a second before she glanced away again. He took a deep breath, readying himself to tell her.
"What were you doing today?" She asked. Truth was best when interrogated by Max.
"Working."
"I…don't see how." She muttered, finally meeting his gaze. Fang wished she wouldn't have. Her eyes were sad and turning red around the edges.
"…Why not?" He asked evasively. She was pissed off abruptly.
"Supposedly, you're a police officer. Uniform?" She snapped, gesturing towards him. Fang took a deep breath. "Some jobs that we have, we can't wear our uniforms. It would give us away. Undercover." He said confidently. Max's face brightened quickly and very suddenly. She jumped towards him. She knocked him to the ground, laying on top of him.
"You wouldn't lie to me, would you?" She asked , pressing her lips to the corner of his mouth.
"Max, why would I lie to you?" Fang asked, kissing the top of her head. 'To keep you safe.' He thought guiltily.
"I don't know. I'm sorry. I was just a little freaked out and worried about you." Max mumbled, curling up to his side.
"Well, it's alright. Now, why are you wearing high heels?" He asked, mystified. He was sure she left in sneakers. Her face turned bright red.
"Oh…uh…that. Funny story. I was uh…hmmm…that's hard to explain." Fang raised an eyebrow at her.
"What were YOU doing all day? And be truthful," he said, sitting up. Max followed, sitting on her knees in front of him.
"Well…when I got a call from…your… boss…I was…working." Fang felt his breath catch in his throat. "What kind of job would that be?" He whispered, eyes closed.
"Fine, Fang! You got me!! I'm a …. model. My boss, Pierre, takes pictures of me and puts them in fashion mag…magazines." Fangs breath left him with a whoosh and, first, he felt relief, then anger.
"Why?" He asked, unable to come up with anything appropriate.
"I don't know. I felt…insignificant. I was the only one of the flock who didn't work. Do you know how that feels?" She whined, throwing her hands in the air.
"Yes, I do." Fang said very quietly. "Because when you were leader, I couldn't help you. I felt so insignificant, but you never let me help you." He said, eyes closed tightly and fists clenched.
"Well, when we were fourteen you took matters into your own hands, if you remember." Fang could hear her voice crack and knew she was about to cry. Damn.
"Well, remember when we were sixteen and you punched me for no reason?" He said, trying to make her laugh.
"Yeah, because you told me that Iggy and Gazzy blew up a car." She said, her voice cheering up.
"They did!" Fang laughed, opening his eyes and pulling her towards him again.
"No, Fang, that was you, creating the scene," she said. Laying her head on his chest, Max sighed.
"What are you talking about?" Fang demanded. Max pulled back a little from him.
'Are you telling me you didn't know?! How do you think we got away from so MANY Flyboys and super-freaks and whatever? Did you really think we actually got away by running?" Max's' face was filled with amused shock. Fang shook his head.
"I figured they were just too stupid to follow." He grinned.
"Are you serious?" Her eyes were wide: he could tell she was being completely hones, but he had no clue what she was talking about.
"Yeah."
"Fang, you created scenes to help us get away. When you thought you weren't helping, you were doing a lot! If I would have let you, you would've made a great leader for the flock." Max admitted with a sad sigh.
"No, that's not true. You knew how to lead. A leader needs to get food every day, for everyone, chase away the little kids' night mares…whatever. All I did was, apparently, help us escape." Fang replied, pressing his lips to Max's. A question popped into his head at this moment, while kissing her. Why were they still boyfriend and girlfriend? Why had he never asked her to marry him? 'Because I'm scared of the answer?' Fang thought, his hands sliding up and down her back. Her cold hands took off his new shirt, and he slid hers off. Max pulled away, breathing heavily.
"Fang? Abstinence, key." She muttered, eyes closed.
"Right, key, got it." They'd had a very, strangely mellow talk about marriage when they were seventeen before they were together. She'd told him that she completely supported abstinence and that if he laughed, she'd pop him a good one in the mouth.
Of course, he'd promised never to laugh at that, it wasn't something to laugh about. But…sometimes they almost go too far. Max stood up and turned on the TV.
"Fang, what are you going to do tomorrow? On your day off?" She asked, curling up to him on the couch as she pulled her shirt on.
"I've got to go into work early, just for about an hour or two, but then I'm all yours."
"M'kay. Hey look! Extinction is on!" She exclaimed, turning to the just beginning of the gory movie.
"Max, this movie is so old." Fang moaned.
"It…is, but what do YOU want to watch, then?"
"Blade, Underworld? OUR movie?" He sighed, playing with her hair.
"Those movies are old too. And I can safely say that Just Like Heaven is not our movie. But it's good to know you're in touch with your feminine side. Just don't get too close.
Next Day.
The next day Max woke up feeling content and well rested. The fluffy downs blanket she'd slept with was, of course, tangled around her. She got out of bed, seeing a note tacked to the door. "Good morning!" It said at the top.
'Max, I'll be home soon, M'kay? Don't worry, I'll be careful. Do you want to eat on the patio tonight? Or would you prefer to go out tonight? What ever you want. I love you.
Love, Fang.'
Max made a 'hmm' sound and picked up her cat. He purred while she walked towards the game room. (they have a four bedroom house, plus a bonus room upstairs.) She gasped when she saw the roses sitting on the dining room table.
"Fang, what did you do?" She asked aloud, wondering why Fang was acting so weird.
"Max, open the door!" Nudges voice sounded from the door like an alarm, making her drop the cat.
"Sorry, baby. The door is open!" Max called, running towards the front door. Nudge stood in her doorway, eighteen years old and model worthy.
"I can't believe you didn't call me! I mean, hello! Sister here!" She rambled, leading Max towards the living room.
"Sorry! There's been so much drama since I got home!" Max rolled her eyes.
Nudge smiled and held her tongue, listening instead of talking for once. This was her job, her job to keep Max busy until three thirty. What better way than to have her talk it out? Fang had called her, begging for help. She agreed, then called Angel. They each called Gazzy and Iggy, who told Tally, who called Dr. Martinez and Ella. 'A very long chain of things…all for the cutest couple ever.' Nudge thought, smiling.
"I just said that Fang got shot in the wing yesterday, and you're smiling?"
"Oh! No, I was just thinking about how cool it would be if someone in the flock had little winged babies." She said, grinning again; she gave Max a mock speculative look, as if she was measuring herself for something. Max's face turned red.
"Hey, hey, hey. I'm all for babies, but I support waiting until marriage." She exclaimed, waving her hands in front of her face.
"Well then. … Let's get some games out." She suggested.
They played games, ate and watched movies for five hours before Nudge realized Fang was an hour and a half late. Seems like he's having a hard time deciding. "I'll be right back." Nudge said, standing up and grabbing her cell phone. She went into the bathroom and dialed Fangs number.
"Hello?" Fang answered, wind blowing around him."Where are you? She's getting suspicious! I mean, I understand that these things take time, but not five hours! Did you get a good one? Is it gonna work? Oh!"
"Nudge, I'm on my way, okay? You can leave now, Thanks." Fang said.
"Oh, you're welcome. I'd better get a part in IT for this.: Nudge exclaimed.
"If she agrees." So insecure,
"She will." Nudge assured.
"See ya."
Max waved as Nudge flew off, sighing as she glanced at the clock. Five fifty six, not fair. 'A few hours my ass.' She thought, stamping her feet as she walked to their room. She swung open the closet and pulled out two dresses. One was black with dark blue silk around the edge of the bottom and the v-neck and the part that tied around her neck was also blue silk. The other was red and it had a high slit on the left an d along ruffle on the right. The neck line was low, but not too revealing. She chose the black one.
Max got all of her accessories, did her hair, and got some pumps. So her wings were showing? Only Fang would see.
"Max? Max, where'd you go?" Fang called. She walked towards the kitchen where Fang stood, wearing a black tux, a black under shirt, and a worried expression. His hair was messed up, which always made Max's knees weak.
"Right here." She said quietly, smiling. Fangs mouth fell open as it always did when she wore a dress.
"Uh…did you…uh…want to…uh…go out to dinner?" He asked, running a hand through his hair.
"My wings will show." Max said, dancing forward to his arms. One of his hands rubbed her right wing, making it tingle.
"No, they won't. Let's go." He whispered in her ear. "Well, I don't know how that's possible." Max purred, putting a hand on his chest. She felt his breath coming in faster. "Don't you trust me?" He gasped quietly, seeming to have a hard time breathing.
"Alright, I do trust you. Let's go." She sighed, brushing her lips across his.
"Do you want to fly or drive?" Fang asked, opening the door for her.
"Uh…let's fly." She grinned, heading towards the roof of the apartment building thing they lived in. (They have the whole top floor to them selves- like a pent house.) Something wasn't right about the way he was acting. Max gulped down her fears.