Disclaimer: I don't own maximum ride. I do own Jinx and Brianna gave me permission to own her in this story as long as she gets to kiss Iggy.
Sorry for the long update! I went on a road trip to see a friend and forgot to post while I was hanging out with her! But here you guys go!
I will be trying my very hardest to post once a week! Thanks for all of the reviews last time guys! And your follows are greatly appreciated as well!
Max's POV
Ugh. Lunch time: the most frustrating part of my day. Ask me to save the world? Yeah, sure that's easy! Ask me to manage the cashier and keep up with all the lunch orders from hundreds of businessmen and women? No, I am a complete mess. Why did I get involve in the service industry again?
A stubby lady came up to the counter.
"Hello, may I help I help you?" I said brightly, without trying to sound sarcastic.
"Yes, I will take a French onion soup and an iced tea," she replied polity.
"Sure thing it will be ready momentarily. Your number is 352," I said handing her the receipt.
The lunch hour dragged on and I was damn near ready to rip my hair out. Was it really only Monday? This week was going to be a busy one, I could just tell. It always was at the end of the month. People had so many last minute due dates for whatever projects they were working on, which meant they wanted their food the moment they put their orders in. New Yorkers were always in such a rush, even on a normal day. Though I honestly could say I understood their behavior. I mean I was on the run for my life for only twenty years of my life.
"Hey, Max, do you have any ones?" Jinx called from the other cash register.
"Ummm… let me check," I called over to him. I opened the cash register and picked up ten ones.
"Yeah, here you go," I smiled as I handed them to him. He gave me his usual million dollar smile and wink in return, and I could practically feel my heart melt into my blood stream. He sure knew how to make a girl go weak in the knees. By the smirk that appeared on his face, he knew his power over me, too.
I took the next five people and then business seemed to calm down some. I watched all the people sitting there eating, working, and talking. Then one guy caught my eye. He was staring out the window. His dark black hair fell over his eyes, and the sun brightened up his olive colored skin. He looked as if he was deep in thought. Definitely the strong silent type, but that wasn't why he caught my attention. I felt my heart twinge, he reminded me so much of Fang.
For a moment I wish it was him, but even if it was I don't know what I would say or do. Sure, I missed him like hell, but he left us. He not only broke my heart and left me feeling helpless, but he broke the hearts of the rest of the flock. I could not forgive him easily for doing that to them. My mixed feelings of longing, hate, and sadness, disappeared as fast as they came. I had other customers to focus on anyways.
I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise when Jinx came up behind me and pecked me on the cheek.
"Hey Hun, I'm going on lunch. Do you think you can handle the rest of the crowd?" he asked sweetly.
"Sure. Go right ahead." I said dryly. It wasn't much of crowd anymore. He looked at me kind of concerned. I guess I was still feeling some sort of way since I had seen Fang's look alike. Jinx did have the amazing ability to read my emotions. Even when I was emotionless, he could easily tell when something was wrong, like Fang. God, I needed to stop thinking about him.
"I'm fine! I promise. Now go eat! You won't be of any use if you're hungry." I laughed as I shooed him to the back of the kitchen. It was true though, when Jinx got hungry it was like dealing with a twelve year old boy. He would gripe and complain, but once you fed him, he would be the most delightful person to be around. Men, I swear. I shook my head and continued on with the costumers ahead of me.
Jinx's POV
I watched as Max took someone's order. The noon sun shone through the window and casted a halo around her body, and I couldn't help but stare at her natural beauty. I knew I was one lucky man to be able to call her mine. Hell, I was a lucky man to even know her.
Business calmed down and Max stood behind the counter, observing everyone else eat, work, and talk. I saw her zero in on one guy, and I could see her face cringe. There was a mixture of love, sadness, and maybe even hatred glowing in her eyes. I looked at the guy and immediately knew why. He looked exactly like Fang, or so I imagined. She rarely talked about him, but she did tell me what he looked like one time. I guess the only reason she even told me about him was just in case I ever ran into him during our missions. Honestly, if I did ever run into him, it would take a lot for me not to beat him to death.
I felt a wave of anger rush over me. I had to use all myself control not to attack this innocent bystander, who happened to look like the man that broke my girlfriend's heart. Finally, after what seemed like hours of trying to contain my anger, he got up and left.
In an odd way, Fang was what brought us together. Max was reluctant at first to open up to me, especially about Fang. After months of us traveling together and destroying schools, she began to trust me. She even openly cried in front of me. She never cried often, but when she did it was for many reasons, not just Fang. I respected that, because I knew that she was stronger than letting one boy ruin her happiness.
I watched Max for a little bit longer, losing myself within her. Suddenly, my stomach growled and snapped me out of my trance. Boy was I hungry. I walked over to Max, kissing her cheek.
Later that night
Iggy's POV
I had finally gotten off work. Total and I were making our way over to the Jax Café to meet Max and the others. I still wasn't used to being on such a dictated schedule. But, hey, it's hard to adjust to stability when for twenty years of your life has been constant chaos. Though, secretly, I really loved my daily routine. I knew where my next meal was coming from, I knew where I was going to sleep at night, and I knew what I was going to do the next day. I had nothing to complain about.
We continued walking and I let my mind wander to Brianna. I couldn't wait to see her at the end of every day. She was pure beauty. And, I don't mean looks wise. Her voice was soft and sweet. Her skin was smooth and flawless, even with all the scars. I loved her scars just as I loved mine. They were symbols of our fight and victory. They brought me comfort. She brought me comfort; especially at night, when the nightmares were so bad that I would wake up screaming in a cold sweat.
She would hold my head close to her heart so I could listen to her even heartbeat and let mine match. She would softly say my name over and over until I fell asleep in her lap. I never thought that someone like me could find real love. We had the kind of love that held no secrets and brought so much trust and happiness to the table. Hell, who knew I would even live long enough to want to find love.
I snapped out of my trance when I could feel the hairs on my neck rise. Someone was following us. I guess the ability to sense someone tracking you was one useful skill I learned from being on the run. Figures.
"Total." I mumbled as he tapped my hand with his nose in understanding. We quickened our pace. I had to lose whoever the hell was following us, which meant I was going to be late meeting everyone. Oh, Max was going to kill me…if Brianna didn't get to me first. I couldn't just lead this person straight to my family. I mean, what if it was someone trying to capture us again and start new experiments.
Also, being on the run makes you paranoid, and being paranoid leads you to have multiple back up plans. Max feared that something like this would happen again. Therefore, she created a path for us for if something like this ever happened.
I rounded the corner when I bumped into someone. Shit.
"Sorry," I barely mumbled, keeping my head low.
"Iggy?" a familiar voice said my name. It couldn't be though. There was no way he was here.
"Fang?" I whispered. I was in disbelief.
"Holy sh-," I heard Total said under his breathe.
"Yeah," Fang said in an emotionless tone that I know so well.
"Come on." I urged him after I snapped out of my shock. This was not the time for reunions. I grabbed his wrist and tried pulling him along.
"What are you doing? It isn't safe right now. Someone was following us!" I continued to pull his arm.
"Calm down. I was the one following you guys. I thought I saw you, but I couldn't be sure so I followed for a little bit to make sure it was you. I will say though, you haven't lost your touch. You recognized someone was following nearly right away. That was when I was sure it was you." He spoke so matter-of-the-fact, which wasn't unusual. Yep, this was definitely Fang. I could tell by his voice and the way his body heat radiated off of him.
"Oh God. Max is literally going to kill me for this…" I muttered under my breath. Sighing deeply, tugged on his sleeve telling him to follow me.
Fang's footsteps fell in line with mine as we made our way to Jax. This is really, really, really bad. Max just got life back in order, for fucks sake. We all did. Now, the person that caused so much pain and distress just suddenly reappears. Then again, it sounds like a total Fang move. This was just too weird for me. Why did I have to be the one to find him? Dear lord…I am so dead.
"So Fang are you going to tell where you've been and why you left or are we just going to sit here all day?' I blurted out, not really knowing what else to say or ask. My tone dripped with cold anger, but I could feel the pain mixed within. I wanted answers and I wasn't going to be around the bush. I was too old for that shit. Nearly dying to save the world put quite a few things into perspective, and wasting time wasn't one of them.
Fang's POV
I knew it was Iggy the very moment I saw him. It was kind of hard to miss a six foot blind man walk with such grace and ease with a black Scottie dog by his side. I had to be sure though, so I followed him. The only thing was he noticed right away. It was hard to keep up with him as he moved through the streets taking random turns. However, anyone experienced enough in losing people would know they weren't just random turns, but an escape route. That's when I was 300% positive that it was Iggy. So, I did what anyone in this situation would do, I made myself known to him physically. That was the only way for him to be able to recognize me right away. I couldn't pass up this opportunity, not after years of looking for them.
Finally, after what seemed like hours of walking in dead awkward silence, Iggy bluntly asked about my story. Well, he was sure quick to get to the point. He was angry, very angry, but hurt too. It sent a pang through my heart. I caused him to hurt. How could I do that to my family? My only family. And, if I hurt him how bad did I hurt the others? How bad did I hurt Max? I started to feel the familiar sense of self-loathing that I had felt ever since the night I left.
"Well, are you going to tell me anything or just sit there?" Iggy growled again. I flinched at his words. I didn't really expect a warm welcome or for us to dive back into our normal relationship. It had been about seven years. I mean really what was I expecting?
"I don't know why I left. I can barely even recall my logic for leaving. I wanted to protect you guys. I wanted to save Max the burden from saving the world. I caught word of schools popping up around the country again. I wanted to put an end to it before anyone got seriously hurt. I thought I could take on the world on my own. But, I quickly regretted my decision and tried to track you guys down a month afterwards. You were always a few steps ahead of me though. I could never catch up." I tried to explain my logic, but failed miserably. Probably because I couldn't even follow my own thoughts, I was eighteen when I left. I was still impulsive.
Iggy stayed silent as he walked facing forward. He didn't look at me or even acknowledged that I had stopped speaking.
"Then I heard about all the schools being destroyed, and you guys went completely off the grid. I mean which you guys did a really good job of doing. It meant you guys were safe, or at least I had hoped you were safe. There was always that one horrible thought that you guys had been killed or worse, captured." I continued. Iggy still didn't say a word.
"After that I decided that I would travel around, hoping to come across a lead or sign that you guys were around. I traveled from city to city, state to state, even country to country. There was just no-"
"How long have you've been in New York?" Iggy suddenly interrupted me. He held no emotion in his words.
"About four months. I chose this as a last resort. I didn't really think you would all end up in a place that we had spent so much time before." I answered his question truthfully.
"Dude, you should never have left. Do you have any idea what you put the others and me through? What you put Max though? It was a disaster! She was barely able to function. Honestly, I'm not sure what would have happened to us if it wasn't for the whole 'Lets save the world bullshit.' You were being completely selfish by leaving." Iggy sighed. He had a solemn look across his face. That hit me hard. He was right. I was selfish in leaving.
"I mean the flock lost its right arm. We weren't the same team without you. We could have saved the world in half the time we did of you were with us. I mean really dude! What the hell? I could have had another year of my life to enjoy a "normal" life if you stayed" he laughed as he gave me a slap on the back. Warmth radiated through my body. I knew I wasn't there completely, but Iggy was willing to accept me back into his life, and it felt really good.
"So you ready to see the others?" He asked, returning to his original serious tone.
The real answer no.
Max's POV
For Christ's sake what was taking Iggy so damn long! I mean really, he was always so punctual. I signed us up for a fucking cell phone plan for a reason! That way if any of us were going to be late for any reason we could call each other. Oh, what an ingenious plan.
I paced back and forth. If he knew what was good for him he would be back soon. He did not want me going out and finding him. He would be limping for the next three weeks if I had to go out and find him. And that would just be from me, there is no telling what Brianna would do to him.
"Jinx, Jinx where is he? I swear, the moment he walks through that door I'm going to kill him." I fumed as Jinx sat down in one of the booths in front of me.
"Max. Max calm down, take a deep breath and relax. It's Iggy he's fine. He knows how to handle himself. I'm sure nothing happened. He might be doing a last minute report or whatever the FBI has him doing. It's nothing, I promise." Jinx pulled me on to his lap and started to rub my back. I felt my body ease up. His touch was warm and comforting. I took a deep breath and talked to Jinx to get my mind off the time.
"Any sign of him?" I called to Brianna after another twenty minutes passed.
"No," her voice was filled with worry. I mean Iggy was never late. Never. That was one of the conditions he made with the FBI when he first joined. He had trust issues with the government, and if they wanted his help, he was going to make sure they followed through with all of his terms. I still didn't know what he did there, but they must have wanted him badly enough to agree to everything. Even the really weird and ridiculous ones he made up just to mess with them.
"Max has Iggy called yet?" Angel's sweet voice asked.
"No, I'm afraid not honey," I tried to keep my voice steady, but was failing miserably.
"M'kay, tell me if you hear anything," Angle said sadly and walked off. I nodded in her direction and continued to talk to Jinx.
Brianna's POV
I swear Iggy was a dead man the moment he walked through that door. He should know better than to not call us if he's going to be more than two fricking hours late! I mean really, I will not let him get away with making me so damned worried. I was going to make sure he never did something like this again. Of course afterwards I would let him know how much I loved him.
I groaned in frustration. It was 12:15am. Where in the world could he be? Suddenly, the door swung open and Iggy was standing there. He looked absolutely frantic. What in the world happened?
"Max. Where is Max? I need to talk to her right now it is extremely important," Iggy breathed out, sounding stressed over something.
"Right there," I said fast, pointing to her, standing almost next to me.
"Max, I need to talk to you right now and only Max, I'll explain later. I promise." Iggy said sternly. Jinx and I exchanged confused looks and reluctantly walked to the back of the kitchen. What in the world could be so important that he could only tell Max
Max's POV
"Iggy, where have you been? What do you think the point of us all having cell phones is for? I mean really. I was freaking out over here. I thought you might have gotten hurt or something." I didn't even give Iggy a chance to explain himself before I started scolding him.
"Look I'm really sorry, Max," Iggy hugged me quickly to try and calm me down.
"But um… right now isn't the time to be getting mad at me," Iggy said shaking. What was he so nerves about.
"Why not?" I yelled this time.
"Because Max-," but he never got to finish because someone stepped out from behind him. I felt myself leave my body.
Fang, Fang was gone. He left me, he can't be here. He was just a memory. I guess he wasn't as big of a liar as I thought he was. Why was he here? How was he here? I was no longer mad at Iggy. I sure as hell was confused. I couldn't wrap my mind around what was happening. Suddenly, I returned to my body. The shock was so great that the ground disappeared beneath my feet. I welcomed the darkness that came.
Thanks for reading! Until next time