Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride or any of the characters. I do, Howether, own the plot.

Chapter 2

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Fang's POV

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Max sighed. The sudden sound made him snap his eyes open and look at her. She was OK. He relaxed.

Her hair was getting long again and her clothes were worn out. But she was still gorgeous. He blushed and rolled onto his side, hoping she hadn't seen.

"You're supposed to be asleep," Max whispered. He could hear the disapproving tone in her voice.

The truth was, it was getting harder and harder to fall asleep when she was on watch. What if something happened to her? What if flyboys came and captured her and he didn't notice because he had been too busy sleeping? He needed to stay awake and make sure she was Ok. If something happened he could never forgive himself.

"Couldn't sleep," he muttered.

He usually waited until Iggy took over from Max before he slept.

He rolled back over and found her glaring at him. She knew something was up.

Instead of pursuing it, like he thought she would, she turned away and continued surveying the area.

His brow furrowed.

What was up with her?

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Max's POV

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I watched a bird land on a nearby tree. Anything to keep my mind off of him.

He was hiding something. But she knew he wasn't going to tell her. And maybe I didn't want to know. Maybe he couldn't sleep because he was thinking about me. Just like I was thinking about him.

I continued surveying anything that would keep my mind off of him until I checked my watch and noticed I had been up for three and a half hours. I stretched my arms and walked over to Iggy. We had already worked out the order for watch.

I gently shook him awake and whispered, "You're turn."

He nodded and untangled himself from the blanket. He got up and walked over to the log I had been sitting on moments ago. I admired his ability to navigate the area so easily. It was one of the things that contributed to us forgetting he's blind.

I looked down at the blanket and suppressed a groan. I forgot I would have to share with Fang. I contemplated sleeping somewhere else, but the cold nipped at me. I hesitantly got down under the blanket. I was relieved by the warmth.

I stared at Fang. He seemed asleep, but I couldn't be sure.

I closed my eyes and tried my best to relax. Yeah, like that's gonna happen! And what made it worse was that I was still cold!

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I woke up surprisingly warm. I distantly noticed that Iggy was still on watch. I watched the sun rise.

Hold on a second!

Iggy was still on watched the sun was rising! Why wasn't Fang on watch?

I felt something around my waist. I looked down and saw an arm encircling my waist. To be more precise, Fang's arm. He had been holding me against him while I slept. That's why I'm so warm!

Fang had his arm around me!

Almost as if he had heard my thoughts his eyes opened. He looked shocked at how close we were. That is, his eyes were a little wider than normal.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I hissed. I grabbed his arm and took it off my waist. I threw the blanket off me and stood up. Iggy's face was turned towards me.

"What's going on?" he asked.

My mind raced as I tried to think of something to say.

"Were you having a dream?" Fang asked me. Good, he was helping. I mean, not good. Argh, I'm so confused.

"Yeah," I said lamely, going along with Fang.

Iggy relaxed visibly.

"Why didn't you wake me for my watch?" Fang asked, a furrow in his brow.

He shrugged. "I wasn't really that tired so I thought I'd just stay up."

Now everyone was waking up, thanks to the noise we were making. It was only just morning.

"Why's everyone up so early?" the Gasman asked sleepily.

"Because we've got a big day ahead of us. We've got to get out of this place," I announced.

"Can we go to the beach? I know it's really cold and everything, but we can still play on the sand. Last time it was cold and we were fine. I think we deserve a break. How long do you think it would take to get to the nearest beach? I wonder-"

"Nudge!" Everyone yelled.

"Oh, right," she said with a sly smile.

"Can we go?" Angel pleaded.

I looked away before she could give me the Bambi eyes.

Go with the flow, my voice helpfully added.

How many times have I heard that before, Jeb? Do you have some guidebook that you use? You seem to repeat the same phrases a lot.

You deserve a break.

I sighed. "Beach it is. But first lets find somewhere to eat."

The younger kids squealed with joy. Iggy punched his fist in the air and Fang . . . well he didn't do anything.

"Well, what are you guys waiting for? Hurry up and pack!" I said with a smile.

They excitedly started packing up the camp. Iggy kicked out the fire. We're funny like that. We don't want the forest to burn down. Fang came over to my side.

"We've had bad experiences at beaches," he stated.

I cringed remembering the day when I tried to take my chip out with a piece of shell. Then when Ari beat Fang up and really hurt him.

"We've had bad experiences everywhere," I told him.

His mouth quirked up in a half-smile. "I suppose that's true. His voice got quieter as he added, "About before…"

"You were asleep, it's Ok," I told him. I had been a bit hard on him.

The flock came over to us.

"Ready?" I asked.

They nodded enthusiastically.

"Up and away!" I said, smiling. Everyone unfurled their wings and jumped into the air.

A/N: I hope you like. Please review.