Okay, so this is my first crossover-I hope I can pull it off… By the way, this isn't about Max- the surly attitude belongs to another bird-kid.

Chapter 1- Thank Goodness for Marines

Do you have any idea how many times a stomach can growl in two minutes? The answer is forty, in case you were wondering. That is, if we're talking a mostly human stomach, with a little bit of avian DNA thrown in. Oh, and a stomach that hasn't known a meal of any substance in a month. That's my poor, poor stomach.

I was walking briskly down the sidewalk, my shoulders hunched up as far as they would go, trying to ignore the freezing rain droplets sliding down the back of my neck. My short hair was drenched, swirling around my head in the angry wind whistling up and down the street. In the distance I could see the glowing white dome the US capitol shining in the twilight. I needed to find some place to get food and sleep; hopefully somewhere where I could get out of the rain.

I know what you are thinking, "Why on earth isn't she flying?" Well I'll tell you. First, the wind kicked up by the stupid storm would have smashed me into the nearest building. Second, I was so unbelievably exhausted, I could barley see straight and keep my normally sure footing on the sleek concrete; so there was really no way I could have flown in those conditions.

I was passing by a brightly lit restaurant when the wind really picked up. The heavenly scent of steaming steak and baked potatoes wafted out the open doorway, making my mouth water uncontrollably. My stomach growled again, (make that forty-one times). I stopped right in the middle of the sidewalk and inhaled the sweet aroma of food. Boy was I hungry. People passed and gave no notice of me. A minute later, some guy talking on a cell phone knocked into me, and I lost my footing. The wind was worse than ever, and the thickening rain made the sidewalk terrible to walk on. My feet slid out from under me, and I went down. Before I hit the pavement, a pair of strong arms caught me from behind. They supported me until I regained control of my feet. I stood up and turned around, a guy who looked to be in his early twenties was straightening a military uniform. On his collar was a logo that depicted the globe with an anchor and some bird behind it. He held out his hand.

"Glenn Stapley." he said.

I reluctantly shook his hand. This guy didn't look like full-blown eraser material, but you can never be too sure. Yes, I am that paranoid. I lived in a dog crate for fifteen years, and now on the streets for two. You can't really blame me. I mean this is the School we're talking about here.

"Thank you…you know, for catching me." I said awkwardly. In case you hadn't guessed, I'm not that good around people. It was still raining, and I was anxious to get going.

Glenn looked at my tangled hair, and less-than-pristine appearance.

"Do you have a place to stay?" He asked.

"Not really, but-"

"Come on." He said, "You can stay at my place, in the guest room." He held out his hand. Now, looking back, it was probably a really stupid thing to do, and I knew it, but the thought of actually sleeping in a bed was to irresistible. I didn't take his hand, walked along side him. We hurried through the rain, and arrived at an apartment building.

"So are you in the military or something?" I asked as he held the door open.

"I'm a Marine, or something." Glenn replied. He walked over to an elevator and pressed the up button. When the doors opened, I hesitated. Tight spaces are not my thing; I think it has something to do with being part bird. Have you ever seen a wild bird when it gets trapped in a room? It freaks out.

"Um, you know what? I think I'm going to take the stairs." I said, stepping backwards and pointing toward the door marked "stairs". I turned around, but didn't get very far. My three days without food or sleep got to me, and I got really dizzy and fell right down on the cold tiled floor.

"Whoa, are you okay?" I heard distantly, along with rapid, echoing footsteps. As fast as it came, the vertigo was gone, and I sat up. My body felt all clammy and everything sound louder than it normally did.

"Sorry, I need to find some food." I mumbled.

"Come on," The marine said, "I know a place."