AN: Disclaimer before I even start. I do not own Maximum Ride or any of the charecters or scenes taken from the books which belong to James Patterson. OK, on with the story.

Max's POV

It was six in the morning, and the flock was already up and going. As usual, I was the last one to get out of bed lately. With a sigh, I got out of bed and stepped into the hallway just in time to catch Gazzy and Iggy chasing after Nudge.

"What the heck or you kids doing?" I screamed as I barely evgeded getting run over by Angel as she chased the boys after Nudge.

"Nudge pulled a prank on the boys and then they started chasing her and she asked me to help her, so I am," Angel replied with an innocent smile.

I heaved another sigh and looked at the little girl in front of me that had just turned 10. "Angel, darling, sit down and stop chasing the boys. Where is Fang?"

"He is still in his room. The two of you are the last to get up this morning," she smiled softly and almost evily.

"Thank you, Ang," I said as I walked off to get Fang up.

Knock. Knock. Knock. "Fang! Get up!" I called. There was no reply. Bang. Bang. Bang. "FANG, IF YOU DON"T GET UP AND HELP ME WITH THESE KIDS, I AM GOING TO COME IN THERE AND DRAG YOUR ASS OUT OF BED AND LET THEM ATTACK YOU," I screamed at the closed door.

Ten seconds later, the door opened and there stood a very disheveled looking Fang. "I'm sorry that I was sleeping in. I should have been up to watch them. How bad is the house?"

"Don't even go there. I am the mother figure. I am supposed to be up with them. I slept in, too. Just please help me. They are running around like wild animals," I replied softly.

"Max, go get some rest. You have been so stressed lately. What time did you actually go to bed last night?" Fang said softly.

"It doesn't matter, Fang. I have to be up and ready to deal with the kids. I can't leave you to fend for yourself and for them. Fang, I have to be here for all of you. I have to be up and running," I responded with tears in my eyes.

"Come here," he mummered, pulling me close. I let my head fall against his shoulder as the tears started to fall.

"I'm sixteen, Fang. I am tired. I am stressed. And yet, I can't just take a break and stay in bed. I have to take care of the kids. I have to," I said quietly as I layed my head on his shoulder and felt the tears start to pour down my cheeks.

"Max, I am here for you. Sit on the bed. I will be right back," he said softly as he unwrapped his arms from around me and stepped towards the door.

I walked over and sat on his ruffeled bed and let the tears continue to fall. My emotions crashed around me like waves against the shore during a storm. There was no controlling their effects. I was terrified. It was the first time that I had ever admittied to needing help with anything, and Fang was the only one that I could go to with any of it. True, Iggy was the same age, but Iggy was like my son. Fang was my rock. He was my best friend, my right-wing man, the only person that knew that I had weaknesses. Fang was the only person that knew I was scared. And having him know, it scared me to death.