Nothing Sinister, but High School

A/N: This takes place after the third book, but also includes things that happened in Winged Disaster. For this I'm going to say that Winged Disaster also happened after the third book, since it doesn't change anything too dramatically. Anyway, this is a shot at a normal life for Max and the flock, how will they handle it?

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The Deal

"Why did I let you talk me into this?" Max muttered, looking at the ground as the forests below gradually gave way to shrubs and desert.

"Because, you love me… This much." Fang laughed, spreading his arms underneath huge black wings. Max let out an exasperated sigh. She angled down and folded her wings, dropping about ten feet before flipping around and unfurling, facing the other direction. Fang, anticipating her move, had wheeled around and was hovering vertically in her path. Max back winged, so as not to run into him, pulling up to face him so they were virtually "standing" on air, glaring at each other.

The rest of the flock had wheeled around and now watched with rapt attention. After leaving the Martinez's house, some months ago, Max and Fang had a falling out. They would have split completely, but past experience warned against it. So these confrontations were fairly commonplace these days, and were often accompanied by shouting and followed by rash decisions, like the one that brought them here, to yet another wonderful confrontation.

Determination burned in her eyes, and Fang was tempted to let her have her way, and lead them to another ratty motel or warehouse, with nothing but the prospect of living freely. But he was going to make her keep her promise. "Some peace and quiet." She'd said, "A normal life." She'd told them. And that was what they were going to get, no matter what her restless side wanted. Fang won the glaring match, moments later and Max turned around once again, resuming their course to her mother's house.

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Max's POV

The Shockers

"Valencia! Ella! Are you ladies home? I smell dinner!" a loud, happy and familiar voice came from the general vicinity of the front door, accompanied by the slam of said door. Jeb. My sister confirmed my suspicion of my father's presence, by leaping up from the dinner table, that all nine of us were crowded around, and running to him calling his name. Mom smiled and called to him.

"Jeb, we have company tonight. Why don't you come in and say hello to your daughter?" I cringed. I mean, when I was younger, I had wanted Jeb to be my dad, but after all I'd, no, we'd been through with him, I found it hard to accept that he really could be my father. After a nod from my Mother, I stood to greet Jeb/Dad. Fang followed suit, placing a protective hand on my shoulder.

"Max! How's my girl?" I tried to glare, but he looked so much like he did, when we were younger, my father figure, the guy that taught me how to fly, put band-aids on our cuts and scrapes, and as far as I can remember, never hurt any of us directly. So I couldn't glare, but I managed a slight frown. I think Fang made up for any of my missed glaring. Jeb just smiled and without another word, pulled up a chair and began helping himself to dinner. He motioned for everyone to sit back down, and we obeyed. I want to say it was because we were just eager to get back to our food, but I think we could all tell a serious talk was about to ensue.

"Well it's good to see all of you again." Jeb started. "I hope you all will be staying for a while. Valencia and I were considering buying a house together, and I think we could easily find one to accommodate ten people. But only if you'd stay with us, we could be a family, not just Max, all of you. Fang, Iggy, Gasman, Nudge, Angel, we could all be family." Well I admit it was a shocker. I was expecting something along the lines of 'Stay as long as you want or until you need to save the world again.' But instead, I get an offer at a normal life with my family, biological and otherwise; I also get five puppy dog faces from most of my flock and Ella. I don't know if dogs can scowl, but Total's face reminded me a lot of Fang's, resentful and cold. Not knowing how to really respond, I said the most intelligent thing to come to my mind.

"Total too?" Jeb chuckled, the kind of surprised noise that meant yes, even though that weren't expecting the question. I looked at my mother and sister, to my flock, receiving nods and thumbs ups, I turned my attention to my Father. Then I said the second most intelligent thing all day.

" Okay."

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A/N: So there's that! Finally another MR Fic (a real one) to invest my time in. I'm gonna be doing some experimenting with different POV's so review and let me know what you think. Oh and I'm Bringing Arianna back. Some of you may remember the little clone from Winged Disaster. As far as I know this is going to be an ongoing fic, to keep me entertained during school. In the next chapter or so, Max and the others will be starting school. Feel free to pitch in ideas or funny incidences that have happened to you during school and maybe I can use some of it for background humor/drama. Anyway, please R&R.

E'Nox