Author's Note: So, here' the first chapter, please we ask that you don't kill us. Just read, review and enjoy.

Disclaimer: No, we do not own James Patterson, or any of his works. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't want two teenage girls owning his work……

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Chapter 1

A Lovely Surprise

It had been three months since we saved the world. All of us, the entire flock, together. We had beaten ITEX, and the School was burned, it was such a beautiful sight to see. Anyways, we had settled in the Appalachian Mountains, where it was quieter. We found an old house and turned it into our home. Iggy and Nudge seemed to spend more time together "bonding" but I called it dating. Angel would find something to do with Total, and Gazzy would be off blowing stuff up. That was when everything was usual. Then it happened. Fang told me how he felt about me. I knew Fang felt different about me, he had been acting different but I didn't want to dwell too deeply on it for fear of ruining our relationship. But one night, after Angel and Gazzy had sulked off to bed, Iggy and Nudge were off "bonding", Fang asked to speak with me. Like he needed my permission to talk with me, but he had asked anyway. He sat me down in the living room and started the conversation with nervous pacing. "Fang, is something wrong?"
"Max, answer this seriously. Do you like me?" He wouldn't look at me but I could hear the nervousness in his tone.
"Do I like you Fang? Of course I like you." I answered, a shock running down my spine. Why wouldn't I like him? I had grown up with him.
"No, I mean do you like me?"
"As in..."
"As in the way I like you Max! As in more than a friend, more than a sister, more than anything in the world, more than a crush. Do you love me Max like I love you?" He begged, whirling around to face me with those dark, uncertain eyes.
"You mean love, not like a brother. Not like a friend. Like a lover, like someone who can make your world tip upside down?" I clarified, hoping to stall him.
"Yes, exactly like that!"
"I-I..."I couldn't say it. Not without fear of ruining him and myself. How could I say I love him?
"Max, dammit either say you love me or you don't." Fang swore. I couldn't answer, but slowly nodded my head. He seemed to think, still brooding before crossing the room to kneel in front of me and seize my face with his gentle hands.
"Max, do you love me?"
"I-I...I can't say it Fang!" I cried, I could feel the tears swell in my eyes. Dammit, now is not the time to cry. He looked at me, before moving in closer-I could feel his hesitation, his doubt and his fear of rejection but he seemed to push them aside as he leaned forward, his lips gently taking mine and quickly taking mine before pulling back.
"Max, just say it please" He begged.
"Fang...I...I can-" I was cut off again by the sweet sensation of his lips trailing over mine. I hesitated, I didn't want this, and I couldn't want this. Suddenly I had an urge to run, to get up and fly away from here. With tears starting to blind my eyes I did just that, I pushed Fang back and ran out the door. Though it was night, I ran up and unfurled my wings into the night sky. I had a favourite perch that I always went to, the top of an old Maple tree. I sat there with my arms around my knees, head bowed down, I sobbed. For those of you who know me, you know that it takes a lot for me to cry, well that night I cried like a baby. The man I loved, and that loved me, I couldn't tell that I love him. Our relationship was so precious, it was fragile, sometimes hanging by a thread and other times hanging together with everything. That night I just sat and rocked in the tree. For hours upon hours I was alone. Then I heard the lone wolf howl, and it brought an odd comfort to me, to know that I wasn't the only one alone.
To know I wasn't the only one who couldn't face my greatest wish that was entangled with my greatest fear; my greatest everything. I couldn't face him; I couldn't face any of them. They would all be ashamed, their great leader afraid to admit her own feelings. And Fang would be crushed, thinking I hated him. Maybe it would be better, maybe it would be easier to hate him rather than love him. Rather than to have him make my world light up every time we connected. And those soft lips upon my own, was truly heaven upon this Earth. To know that one boy, one man in the world thought of me as his world was truly the most amazing glorifying feeling I have ever felt but yet I continue to shy away from it. I don't want to do anything about it; I just want to sit here. Stay here, locked in this time forever, never to be shattered from this hollow aura of loneliness and pain, never to have to face anyone again. Would they notice if I never came back? Would they need me?

I stood up, looking strong and sad in the glow of the moonlight and flew. I used to my super speed to vanish as quickly as possible. I could never be part of the Flock again. I, their leader, the strongest one, am now the weakest. I could never face Fang after that. What must he think? I blocked those thoughts out of my head as my body raced forward at a speed unknown to man. Did I know where I was going? No. But I was strong. I could stand for myself. As I flew I realized I was going west, heading towards the "Bread Basket" of the US as some called it. I decided to drop down somewhere around Oklahoma. Between the exhaustion of crying the entire way and the super speed I was about ready to pass out. As I landed sloppily in an open field I found a large empty looking barn. It wasn't home but it wasn't a tree either. As I snuck in, I looked around to see if anyone was using it. They weren't. I crawled into the loft and curled up in the old hay that had been left there. I fell asleep thinking that I had just left my love, my family, and my friends. Did I make the right choice? Before my brain could answer I was thrown into sleep with memories of Fang and me when we were younger.

My body seemed to sink away as my mind raced to places far away. Thoughts of Fang and I bonding together in the School before Jeb found us, thoughts of our new found freedom together. The memories of Fang comforting me as I sobbed for the loss of Jeb, Fang helping me take care of the younger kids. He and Iggy laughing at me, but his secret smile tore out my heart. The smile that was only for me and the smile that I knew I could never have again. I wasn't special anymore because I wasn't strong anymore. I had given that up for the safety of him and for my heart. I knew I could never have Fang again because I couldn't admit that I love him. But I can't love him anymore, I can't think about him or the Flock anymore. I have to move on. I have to put two feet forward and turn my back and face my new life. The life I chose for myself.

The life I choose for myself would be lonely. No one would be able to save me; no one would be able to win my loved. The night was full of memories I wished to forget. Not wanting the pain of having to see old friends again I stirred. The morning light was just starting to come over the hill. The radiant colours of orange, pink, and red glimmered across the sky like a new borne morning. As I walked out of the barn to stretch my wings and my body I lingered and watched he sun rise. My wings, folded up again, it was just in time.

"Max? Is that you Max?" I heard a semi-familiar voice; I turned and I couldn't control my reaction. I hadn't thought about him. Not in forever. Sam.

So there ya go! It's only the first chapter, please read and review. By the way we love the reviews that are lengthy too, so don't be afraid to be lengthy it you want to.

Sincerely,

Annika

Nire