More Than Meets the Eye

Max, Fang, and Iggy all went through or are going through struggles. Those struggles are what make them who they are. But will they be sent away by the only ones they have to a place that looks beyond their attitudes to reveal those real problems? Or will it not matter in the end because they realize no one can change the past. Read to find out! No wings. Maybe FAX.

Thought of this when remembering a show I used to watch when I was younger. Don't remember the name but I don't own it either. BTW first story, but hope you like it!

Max, Fang, Iggy- 15; Ella Gazzy-12; Angel-8

Disclaimer: I do not own MR or any characters in it.

Prologue

Max POV (Age 15, present year)

I stood in the doorway of my father's hospital room, watching as the nurse adjusted the pillows behind his neck. I remembered him taking me to the beach back in Cali, us both plunging into the water seeing how long we could hold our breaths. He hit the surface first with me right behind him. Too bad though, I had almost beat my record. But it was worth it for the smile he gave me before he picked me up telling me how I had to have developed gills. I beamed in pride. That was before the diagnosis, before the cancer, before I grew up.

"He's not doing well, Max." The doctor said entering the room gesturing for me to follow. I stayed where I was.

"The chemo didn't give the results we were looking for. When he finally recovers enough to understand his surroundings it might be too late. He has a few weeks maybe, four at best. But we can try a lung transplant. It's risky but it might get rid of the tumor." He looked down at the chart then back at my dad.

"The Alzheimer's is making it hard for him to focus whenever he wakes up. He is definitely not in the position to make the choice, Max. And sadly because you are not a legal adult you are not authorized to decide either. But you are the only family he has so it might come down to you."

He led the nurse out, but stopped next to me as he said, "I'm sorry to put you through this, but unless he shows massive signs of recovery or a related adult of over 18 comes forward giving us permission to do the transplant, we are going to have to let him go. I'm sorry."

He switched off the light and walked away leaving me standing expressionless in a dark room to stare at anything but the dying man who raised me and the sounds of his feet down the hall. Harsh, was all I could process.

Fang POV (Age 4, eleven years ago)

I walked into the big brick building, it had tons of floors, and there were doors lining every wall. Looking around I saw kids and parents rushing in all different directions. I tall women wearing a green coat nudged me forward.

"Go on, sweetie." She smiled at me and nodded in the direction of a wooden chair close to an open wall. "Let us adults just talk over some details and then we'll get you settled in, okay?" Another smile. I sat down in the chair and watched as the lady talked to my Nanny, Maria, every once in a while looking in my direction with another smile. She kind of creeped me out, too much makeup and smiling. But her coat reminded me of my mommy.

-Flashback-

I ran up to my mom and tugged on her sleeve, "Less go mommy, I don't want to miss it, come on, come on!" It was my 3rd birthday and mom and dad had promised we would go to the circus. My mother exchanged an unsteady glance with my father.

"The thing is honey, mommy got a letter from-"she looked at my dad for help. "-from the protectors of the country, the big people who make sure everyone stays safe." My dad finished for her. My mom nodded.

"Yes, and they wanted me to go back and help them fight off the bad guys," she explained.

I looked between them, "SSSo we aren going to the circus? But you promised!" I complained.

My mother picked me up and placed me on the counter. "This is a bit more important than that, Nicky. I need you to understand I accepted. I agreed to go with them." She looked at me to see if I understood. I guess I did, sort of. She sighed in defeat as my dad stepped in.

"Nick, your mother is trying to tell you she is leaving. She might not be back for a long time." They both looked at me again. "Okay," I said. "Cann we ggo noww?" I asked looking up at them. My mom smiled, but it wasn't as bright as usual. I wondered why though, I hadn't done anything wrong. "Of course, hun," she said grabbing her green jacket.

-End of Flashback-

I kept watching them until they finally came over to me. The women nodded and then left but Nanny kneeled down in front of me putting her hands on mine as if prepping me for a speech.

"Nick, your daddy wanted me to bring you here. He thinks it's what's best for you. He's too busy with his job to look after you, but without the job he won't have enough money to pay for what you need."

"Where is he?" I muttered in a small voice.

She gave me a sad smile, "He's still at work, sweetie."

I looked at the floor.

"It's just for a while, hopefully…" She trialed off. "Here you'll be safe, they'll feed you, and take care of you. Maybe you'll make some new friends!" She leaned in closer and looked me in the eye, "Maybe you'll get adopted by a family that can take care of you." She pulled back and tugged my hat on a little tighter. "Promise me you'll be good." I did and then was dragged away by the smiling lady as she showed me my new room. Goodbye Nanny, I thought. Goodbye dad..

Iggy POV (Age 6; nine years ago)

I crept down the stairs careful not to step on the few loose boards that creaked whenever trying to hold weight. I could hear his voice and the opening of cabinets not far away. I turned the corner and watched as my dad gathered food and put it in a big backpack. He walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to his office where he came out with a wad of money in his hands and a few credit cards that he stuffed into his pockets. No he couldn't be, surely he was just helping a friend that didn't have enough food or money. An old shirt of his fell out of the bag. And the friend didn't have too much clothes? Yeah that was it! He picked up the shirt and threw it into the bag. He then picked up the backpack and slung it over his shoulder before looking at the family picture framed on the kitchen wall above the sink. He shook his head slowly and turned around starting to walk toward the hall and the corner I was behind. I quickly got up and hurried back up the stairs hoping he hadn't heard me. I don't think he did though because when he came around the corner toward the door he seemed unphased.

"Come on, it's time to go." He whispered with a reassuring smile to no one in particular.

At first I thought he was talking to me, but then my brother, Joey, walked out from behind the door of the hall bathroom. What was he doing here? He looked around sleepily and made his way toward our father. My dad opened the door cautiously and lightly grabbed my twin's hand. They both then walked out the door closing it silently behind them. I rushed to the window only to see them both get in a cab and drive off. Panting I ran upstairs and dove under my covers. It's just a dream, I assured myself.

I woke up the next morning to the sounds of my mother hysterically sobbing.

"Why?" she yelled between sniffles, "Oh, why."

I forced myself out of bed into her room.

"Where did Daddy go?" I asked already realizing and facing the truth.

She wouldn't answer me, instead pulled me into a hug where we stayed as I listened to her weep.

"He left with Joey." She finally whispered. That's when I started crying.

If you didn't understand what happened or why I wrote this part first then tell me in a review. I know not all 3/4 year olds can describe the things Fang did but just look over that detail. Same thing with Iggy's 6 year old POV, but I did try to keep it less detailed. Review!