I stared at the stone that laid on the cold hard ground as the casket was being lowered into the ground. Angel was next to me, her hand clutching mine tightly as tears made their way down her cheeks. The rest of the flock was the same way, staring silently at the same spot as I was. I was fighting to hold back the tears, I had to be strong, for them.

The cloudy sky over us, only intensified the mood the swirled around us. The funeral was small, just the flock, my mom and Ella. After the dirt had been placed upon the casket, I felt Mom squeeze my shoulder and whisper a condolence. I didn't hear what she had said, my gaze was still focused on the stone that laid before me.

We stood there for what seemed like hours, no one spoke. No one moved. The shock was still running though all of us. We were so close. So close, but it was ripped from us in a minute. I thought that I was given a second chance. I thought we were going to make it, but we didn't.

I closed my eyes tightly, a tear making its way down my face. The dam I had built was beginning to break as the realization began to hit me full force. He was really gone. He was really not coming back this time.

I fell to my knees letting go of Angel's hands and lowered my head, letting the tears flow. No one had offered words of comfort. No one told me it was going to be alright. The unbearable silence lingered. I knew the others knew that no words or actions could help.

I didn't know that it would hurt this bad. It hurt worse than anything I had felt in my entire life. No experiments, or injuries, nothing, was even compared to this.

I faintly heard after awhile someone kneel next to me. I looked up to see Angel and Gazzy. Their eyes red from crying. They held so much pain, looked so vulnerable. They didn't deserve this, I didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve this. Why! Damn it why!

I reached out and pulled them towards me, wrapping my arms tightly around them, as they buried their faces into my sweater. Iggy and Nudge came around us as well and we embraced in a group hug.

Soon, tiny droplets of water fell around us, but we didn't move. I didn't know how we were going to be able to go on. It was going to be hard. I was beginning to feel afraid because nothing was certain anymore. What if another one of my family died. I didn't think I could handle that. Not with him here. He was always there to reassure me that everything was going to be ok. He always had my back and supported my decisions. He was my best friend, my second in command, someone I loved more than just a mutual family love.

Flashes of our life flashed in front of my eyes as I gazed back at the grave stone that had his name engraved into it. Everything we had ever been through, all the promises we had made to each other, all the laughs and tears we shared. The memories filled my mind like a slide show without a play and stop button.

I snapped from my thoughts as a crack of thunder ruptured through the darkened skies. I realized I was alone now. Just me and the grave. The pain in my chest became more intense.

Why! Why! God why! We didn't deserve this!

I looked up to the sky. "Why did you take him away! Its not fair! Why! What did he do!" I yelled. I slammed my fists onto the ground. "Damn it! You promised me Fang! You promised!" My voice went from a yell to a whisper. "You promised you wouldn't let go. Damn it Fang, I need you. I can't do this on my own. I can't do this myself, I needed you here to help me. I can't…" my voice trailed off as the rain had began to fall faster. I sat on my heels, holding my face in my hands, tears blending with the cold water falling around me.

"I loved you. I still do. I need you Fang."

I woke with a start, as lightening flashed and rain pounded against the window. I sat up, looking around trying to remember what was going on. Had it all been just a dream? I looked around again, realizing that the room I was in was one that was in my moms house.

I closed my eyes taking a deep breath, praying that it was just a dream. It was then I felt something warm in my hand. I snapped my eyes open and looked down at my hand. I sighed in relief and wiped the tears from my eyes, that I hadn't notice were there before as I saw Fang laying next to me sleeping peacefully.

I took my free hand and pushed a stray piece of hair out of his face, making sure he was really here. My hand traced down the side of his cheek slowly, my mind registering that he was. I lent over and kissed his forehead. It was just a dream. He was still here with us, with me.

His eye lids fluttered slightly as he groaned lightly.

"Max…" He whispered, his eyes opening a little. I smiled down at him, gripping his hand. "I'm right here." I replied. "Your going to be fine."

He nodded, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Why are you crying?" he asked, taking his hand out of mine and wiping away a tear that managed to escape from my eye. I grabbed his hand again.

"I thought I lost you. I thought you were going to die Fang and I finally realized everything. I'm sorry that I didn't before, but now I have a second chance to make things work." I replied. His eyes looked at me confused. I sniffed and chuckled a little. "What did you realize?" He whispered.

I didn't answer, instead I lent over and kissed him. At first I felt him tense up, but I gripped his hand reassuringly. He relaxed again and before we knew it were lost in the moment. Reluctantly I pulled away to breathe, but I didn't move far, just far enough to look back into his eyes, which were shining with happiness and so many other emotions.

"I love you." I said, my whole being feeling content saying it.

He smiled. "I love you to." He replied, his eyes drifting shut. I smiled and laid back down, settling against him. His arm circled around my waist and pulled me closer to his side. I sighed in content, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Hey Max I'm. sorry…" he began a few minutes later.

I kissed his cheek lightly. "Shh.. Its alright. We can talk more in the morning. Just try and get some more rest. I'll be right here. I won't let go." I promised, knowing that everything was going to be alright. In no time he was going to be back to normal and life would go back to the way it was, with a few added things. We were all going to be fine. We all had each other, and we were never going to let go.