Author's Note: Hey everyone! This is my first Maximum Ride fanfiction. And—alas! It's not all mine. The first seven chapters of this fanfic were written by ArmyStrong, but I've been chosen to adopt the story—so I'm not a plagiarist, for those of you who could swear you've read this story before. I've made some minor grammatical changes and added a sentence here and there where reference was unclear, but other than that, the plot and everything will stay the same.

Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride.

"Crap," I muttered under my breath. It had been four years since Max had saved the world from Itex (So if you're bad at math, Max, Fang and Iggy were 19, I was 16, Gazzy was 13 and little Angel was 11).

I stared hard at the pregnancy test in my hand, willing the pink cross to change into a blue minus sign. But, big shocker, it didn't. Growling a string of colorful cuss words under my breath (most of them ones I had learned from Max), I shoved the pregnancy test into my jacket pocket and left the Wal-Mart bathroom. Stepping out into the July heat, I quickly found a deserted place and took off into the air, my tawny wings beating powerfully.

After a couple minutes I reached the house that we had been living in for the past two years. It was a white house in the mountains that couldn't be reached unless you flew there.

Max and Fang shared a room. Then the rest of us got individual rooms (except Angel, who got such a small room that it could be labeled as a large closet). She says she likes small places. Anyways, back to the story. Me and Iggy shared a room, so there was an extra bedroom.

Iggy. My heart beat faster just thinking about him and knowing that a part of him was in me. Growing in my stomach. Oh crap. Unable to stop myself, tears started streaming down my cheeks, blurring my vision and making me angrily wipe my eyes.

As soon as I reached the hallway, I ran to my room and slammed the door. I lay down on the queen-sized bed and cried, thankful that none of the flock were here. They had all gone to the shopping center and I had pretended to be sick, so they left without me after I insisted that I would be fine. It did take a while to convince Iggy to leave, but between me and Gazzy, he just couldn't refuse. Almost as soon as they left I took off as well, but towards the opposite direction to buy a pregnancy test.

The main question going through my head was, Would Iggy accept the baby? I didn't know if he would. I lay there thinking it through, not even sure how much time was passing. When I finally sat up, the clock told me I'd been there for about twenty minutes. And I'd made my decision. Slipping off the bed, I retrieved a duffel bag from under the bed and packed absentmindedly, thinking about Iggy and what he would say if he knew my secret. If he didn't accept the baby, then I didn't want to be here when he rejected both of us and ripped me apart. I couldn't risk that.

Lastly, I packed two picture frames. One was a picture of the six of us taken by Dr. Martinez a few years ago. Max was grinning from ear to ear, with Fang's arm around her waist. Fang also wore a small smile, but that was enough to light up his entire face with happiness. The Gasman held up two fingers in a peace sign; Angel stood next to him, holding Max's hand with an angelic smile. I was in Iggy's arms as he embraced me, both of us standing next to Fang.

The other picture frame held a picture of only Iggy and me, both of us flying with our hands held together and stupid grins on our faces. I sighed and zipped up my duffel bag, dragging it into the hall and down the stairs. Stopping at the kitchen, I took a piece of paper from the pile of objects on the table and wrote two notes.

The first one was for the flock and the other was for Iggy. You're probably thinking, how does the blind guy read? Well, I make really deep grooves when I write so he can just feel the words. I finished and read them over, satisfied with my work.

Dear Max, Fang, Iggy, Gazzy, and Angel,

If you're reading this, you probably know that I've left. Don't try to find me and don't come after me-I'm leaving because I have to. I love you guys, I swear it. I need to leave but it breaks my heart to. I won't forget any of you, but I'll probably never see you again. Max, you were always my mom and sister and you're a great leader. Fang, try to smile a bit more, people might start to think you're emo. Iggy, I love you, don't ever forget that and try not to blow up anything too important. And really Gazzy, quit eating those beans. You know what they make you do! And Angel, you're the best little sister ever and I hope you don't get into too much trouble with your mind!

I'll miss you all,

Nudge

By the time I had finished reading this note I was in tears. I quickly taped it to the kitchen counter, knowing they would find it immediately. Now for Iggy's note.

Dear Iggy,

You've probably already found the note downstairs for you and the flock. I love you so much, Iggy, and why I'm leaving is personal. It's got no reflection on you, so please don't be mad at me. Don't cry for me, either. I want you to be happy, Iggy, just try to be happy without me. Move on with your life and smile.

I love you,

Nudge

Folding this note up as well, I rushed upstairs and placed it on my pillow. As I shouldered my duffel bag and swept my eyes over our home, I was screaming inside. I jumped out a window and snapped out my wings, the wind yanking me upwards. And as I flew away from my home, I didn't look back, knowing that if I did, I wouldn't be able to keep myself from going back.