AN: I was in New Mexico last week for my grandparent's 50th anniversary, and I realized then we traveled into Arizona to go on a mule ride in the Grand Canyon. (Which I recommend because it is awesome, but only if you don't want to be able to sit down for a few days ) ANYWAYS, that got me thinking about how it would be so cool if I saw Dr. Martinez or Ella. And then I was listening to this song about Albuquerque, and this story was born. And then I started reading the lyrics to the other songs by this guy, and I was like WHOA! THESE ALL REMIND ME OF FANG AND MAX! Well, not all of them but whatever. So I decided to use a bunch of them. So that was kind of confusing to read. Sorry. Read on. Review please. Warning… kinda OOC. And AU. But not REALLY. And I plan to make them a series of oneshots.
Claimer: everything I do own/ disclaimer: The songs are all by David Cassidy/ The Partridge Family, and Max Ride characters are James Patterson.
Fang was walking downtown, just looking at all of the stores. He had just finished his college courses. He had taken four years worth of classes in 2 years. He was feeling on top of the world. He could do whatever he wanted now. Before Fang realized it, it was night. He turned and started walking in the direction of his apartment. He had an apartment on one of the Florida Keys, he forgot which, he moved around too much. He finally got to live on the island he had always been urging the Flock to stay on. The Flock. M-Her. It had been 3 years since he had helped her save the world. Since he had seen her. Since the Flock had split up. He thought back to the last time he had seen her. She had been adamant that the whole Flock found their parents. Gazzy and Angel were now in California with their parents. Just last week Fang had sent Angel a birthday card. She had turned nine. Gazzy was eleven. He hadn't seen them in a year, having gone for The Gasman's birthday last year. Their parents were really sweet, and Ang and Gaz seemed to adore them.
Nudge's mom was living in New York, and she had just remarried to a guy named Tad. They were great for Nudge, and could actually understand the fourteen year old's fast talking. Geez. She was the age he, Iggy and she had been when they saved the world. They were growing up so fast.
Iggy was living with his aunt and uncle in Connecticut. Though his actual parents only wanted to make money, his aunt and uncle were the best things that ever happened to Iggy. He has a girlfriend named Michelle now. At 17, he is taller than ever. Wow. The elder members of the Flock are 17. He remembered when she had once told him she didn't think she would live to be 15. That was before they saved the world.
She had disappeared. Fang had called her mother and sister, Dr. Martinez and Ella, and they said she had come home to say that she was getting a place nearby, but that she didn't think she could live with them. He liked to think that it was because that would make her think of the Flock and how much she missed him-them. Knowing her though, it was most likely because she didn't want to be responsible if something bad happened to them. She had had enough responsibility. Sure he had looked for her. He had searched 'nearby' and after he couldn't find her anywhere near 'nearby' he gave up. She had always been good at not being found when she didn't want to.
Fang hadn't looked for his mom. Or parents in case the School's information that he had been born to a single mom was wrong. He didn't want to be let down. The thing with Iggy's parents had freaked him out. He didn't want to have to depend on anyone. He wanted to free. He had been kidding himself when he thought she would stay with him because he was free. He hadn't been able to ask her before she disappeared. He regretted not looking for her sooner. And now he might never see her again.
The Flock got together once every year to go camping, "Like the good ol' times…without fear!" as Gazzy had said. She never showed up. For a while he had been worried about her, but then he got angry, sure she was doing this on purpose. She could take care of herself, as she had told him many times. Now, there was just an empty hole in his heart where she used to be. And everyday it killed him a little bit more.
As Fang turned the corner, deep in thought, he froze. He had always been able to tell when she was near. And his radar was going off wildly. But…she couldn't be here. Why would she be? He almost convinced himself to keep walking, but then the empty hole in his heart gave a pulse of longing so great that Fang had spun around without even realizing it.
There she stood. Illuminated under the lamplight above her. Her clothes were all torn, dirty, and was that blood? She looked like she had 3 years ago. Like she was on the run. She had the look of the hunted. Whatever happened to her, it had to do with the last handful from the School or Itex. He could just tell. He looked up to her face and was startled to see a teardrop slide down her face. And through all of his observations his heart and mind could only whisper, "Max. Max. Max. Max. Max." It really was her.
Looking closer he thought that she looked slightly wild, but doll like in her perfection. Her hair was mussed up and dirty, pulled back into a ponytail that was getting pulled out by the wind. She looked so…lost. She hadn't even realized that he was standing there watching her. Oh, right. He had turned invisible. Before he could stop himself, his heart was guiding his legs over to where she was leaning, and lifted his arm over her shoulders. She didn't move. Didn't speak. He was scared for a moment that she had stopped breathing. It was like she wasn't standing here. Totally unaware of her surroundings. Fang couldn't help but notice how tense she was, how fit she stayed, how great she looked and would look cleaned up. If he could get her out of this trance and to his apartment to wash up.
He decided that for now he could just stand here with her. She could walk when she felt like it. He felt her shift, and was about to turn his head when he heard her whisper in his ear, "Point me in the direction of Albuquerque. I want to go home, and help me get home." She said it again. As though he hadn't heard. His brain was buzzing. Albuquerque. That was in New Mexico. For someone who could fly super speed, that was 'nearby'. He cursed, he should have kept searching. He should have looked farther away when he couldn't find her in Arizona.
Looking down he saw the bus ticket in her hand. It was for the Greyhound bus that would come by in a few hours. It was already late and she looked like she was about to fall asleep. She looked into the distance like she used to when she was talking to the Voice. A million miles away. He wished he could be there with her. Sighing he spoke to her.
"I would love to help you…Max. I was always here for you, I am here for you now, and I will be here for you whenever. Your bus doesn't leave for a while. Why not come to my place to get cleaned up?" He said more than he was used to.
She finally looked up. He was surprised at the gratitude he found in her eyes. And the complete ignorance. She really had no idea who he was or where she was. It panged his heart, but he nearly died when she leaned forward and said, "And anyone that helps me is a real good friend of mine. Real good friend of mine."
That broke his already broken heart into smaller pieces. He wanted to shake her and shout, "I already am a real good friend of yours! We were best friends! We ARE best friends! I LOVE you for Flock's sake!" But he didn't. He just guided her towards his apartment, inwardly cursing whoever had tampered with her memory.
She showered, put on fresh clothes, ate TONS (what's new) and drank about a gallon of water. He watched her as she fell asleep on his sofa, curled up on his chest, a pillow under one arm, his shirt clenched in her other fist. He hated to wake her after she only had a few hours of sleep, but her bus left in 5 minutes. He shook her awake and walked her to the station. It would be one loooooong bus ride. She was crying again, and didn't seem to know why. Knowing this would be his only chance, he kissed them away and led her to the bus. He would remember for the rest of his life, seeing her on the bus, leaning against the window, tears running down her face, waving with all her might as the bus pulled away. As he watched her go he sighed. What he would give to go with her. What he would do to have her remember him. To tell him what happened. To let him stay with her. To let him love her and love him back. As the bus turned the corner, he gave a half smile and lifted one hand in a final farewell.
Window walkin' downtown, feelin' mighty good
and I noticed from the corner how all alone she stood
Underneath the lamplight, an angel in disguise
Lonely little runaway with teardrops in her eyes
Crazy little ragdoll, her hair was wild and tossed
and I put my arm around her, 'cause I knew that she was lost
She didn't seem to notice that anyone was near
'till suddenly she turned to me and whispered in my ear
CHORUS 1: Point me in the direction of Albuquerque
I want to go home, and help me get home
Point me in the direction of Albuquerque
I need to get home, need to get home
Showed me a ticket for a Greyhound bus, her head was lost in time
She didn't know who or where she was
"And anyone that helps me is a real good friend of mine"
Real good friend of mine
CHORUS 2: Point me in the direction of Albuquerque
And help me get home, help me get home
Walked her to the station and kissed away the tears
Knowing I'd remember through all the coming years
Ragdoll on that Greyhound who waved with all her might
Weeped against the window as the bus rolled out of sight
CHORUS 1
REPEAT AND FADE
AN: So depressing. How many of you thought there was going to be a happy ending? Raise your hand… better yet review! Sorry that this first chapter is kind of depressing the others will be better. And I plan to make almost all of them FAXY but if you have another couple you want me to write about, speak up! REVIEW PLEASE!!!! CA