Hey, here's chapter 2...sorry about my last AN at the beginnning of chapter 1, it kinda cut off. Anyway, hope this one's better!

(Max POV)

Fang rolled his eyes. He ruffled my hair as he walked past me to look out the really small window on the door. Apparently, there wasn't anything out there worth watching, because he sighed and turned back to me. He lowered his voice so only I could hear him.

"So. Any ideas?" he asked quietly. Ugh. Why do people always ask me if I've got any ideas? Oh, wait, I know: because I'm the invincible Max, the leader, the plan-maker. Again, ugh.

"Not a damn thing so far. You?" I replied just as quietly. He shook his head.

"We'd better come up with something in the next hour though," he said. I sighed and nodded my head. I was about to reply, when I heard someone say my name very softly. I automatically looked in the direction of the knocked-out kids in the corner. I saw Angel slowly sitting up.

"Max?" I heard her say softly again.

"Yeah, sweetie?" I kneeled down in front her and helped her sit the rest of the way up. I turned and sat against the wall, pulling her into my lap. She threw her little arms around my neck and hid her face.

"Their thoughts are scaring me, Max. They keep thinking about what they're going to do to you . . . how much it's going to hurt you. They're trying to decide whether or not to give you morphine," she said in a small voice. Her words sent a chill through me that I hoped she didn't notice. Over Angel's shoulder I met the eyes of Fang, who had been watching me, and we held each other's gaze. I saw something flash in Fang's eyes that I hadn't really expected to see. I saw anger, frustration, but I didn't expect…concern? Angel pulled back and looked me straight in the eye. "I'm not going to let them take you," she said in this angry and determined but amazingly adorable voice.

"Everything's going to be fine, Ang. Don't worry right now," I soothed her. I sat her gently on the ground and stood up. I motioned Fang to the other side of the room. We now stood in the corner opposite the flock. "What are we going to do?" I asked Fang.

He shook his head. "Nothing," he replied. "Right now, there's nothing we can do. We don't have any choice but to wait it out for awhile. See what happens. Maybe when they come to get you, we can take advantage of the open door."

I sighed, but I did it quietly so the others couldn't hear it. "Maybe," I said to him. Then, because I had nothing better to do, I started pacing. I popped my knuckles a few times, much to Fang's annoyance. He hates it when I do that.

After pacing for I don't know how long, I saw Iggy stiffen. Nudge and Gazzy had woken up by now, and they noticed it too.

"What, Iggs?" I whispered.

The footsteps finally got close enough for my normal ears to hear, and the door opened to reveal none other than, you guessed it: more whitecoats and Flyboys. This was sure to be fun.

"Footsteps," he answered me, looking in my direction. Actually, now that I paid attention, everyone was looking in my direction. The younger kids had fear in their eyes, the older ones determination. I slowly stood up. I walked a few small steps forward so that I was at the front of the flock and they were behind me. Then, I felt someone's arm brush mine. Fang had come to stand beside me in front of the door. I looked up at him and he held my gaze. I nodded, and so did he. I took a deep breath and stood waiting for the door to open.

"Maximum. Time for you to come with us," said the scientist standing closest to me, with that same terrible German accent as before.

"Wow, guys. As fun as that sounds, I think I'm gonna have to pass," I said, pretending to think about it first. The scientist narrowed his eyes at me. He stepped forward slightly and reached out like he was going to grab me. Fang stepped in front of me and looked at him, daring him to come forward. Well, I thought, this is new. I looked up at Fang questioningly. His move confused me. What was so different in this situation that he felt the need to step in?

He leaned down to whisper in my ear, not relaxing his position in front of me. "Something's wrong, Max. Something's not right." Now for those who know me really well, when someone says this to me, I would usually say "No, really? You mean, there's something wrong with the scientists waiting to experiment on and kill me?" But, this was Fang. If Fang admits something's wrong, then it usually deserves my attention.

I thought for a few minutes. Maybe, this time was what we needed to make some kind of plan. I might be able to get some useful info while these freaks were towing me along. "I've got to go, Fang. I'll be fine. This might give us more time to find an opportunity to get out of here. Before you know it, I'll be right back in here with you cracking more jokes," I whispered back up to him. He looked down at me for a long minute, then slowly moved to stand beside me again.

"You better come back," was all he said as he looked into my eyes (AN: too cheesy?)

I grinned up at him. "Don't I always?"

So, any better? worse? Reviews please! :)