Chapter Two

Isn't She Lovely?

(A/N) Hey guys! Sorry I took so long! Busy, busy, busy!

Remember. Read. Review. Love. In that order! Thanks!

I went weak at the knees as he said my name. My heart fluttered, and I grew dizzy. Dang! Why did this always happen?

As if he could read the thoughts twirling through my head, he smiled at me. "You aren't the only one suffering from the grim effects of love, Max." Wow. Poetic, no? "Yeah? What are you, Dr. Love Philosopher, Ph.D. now?" My voice was clear and cold, much unlike the condition of my body.

He smiled humorlessly at me. "Maybe." I shook my head at his easy, aggorant tone. How could he stand here, so easy and cool and collected? Did he care that little?

*Fang's POV*

Oh God.

She was even more beautiful than I remembered. Slender and tall, her brown hair tinted slightly red and her blond streaks a little more prominent. Her chocolate eyes were cold and hard, and she was standing straight up, stiff with caution and anger.

How did she stand there, so calm and collected, when I was freaking out? I wanted to sweep her into my arms and hold her forever, never letting her go again. And yet here she was, confident and extremely ticked off.

I looked at her awkwardly, before Dylan tried to bridge the gap somewhat. "Maybe we should head back to the house?" For some reason, his voice irritated me to no end.

"He's right." Max looked at me, eyes still hard.

I heard Angel's voice from behind Max. "Max, can we go see him now?" Her voice shook slightly. "Yeah. You can go hug him, or whatever."

Quite suddenly, two gangly teenage girls were all over me. I tried my best to hold them up, and keep myself standing at the same time.

They buried their faces against me, and I hugged them both. I'd missed my family so much. More than anything.

"Don't get too attached, guys." Max's voice was steely.

I glared at her. And she glared right back.

I let go of the girls, expecting Iggy and Gazzy next. But they both stood behind Max, eyes hard and postures stiff.

I smiled a little at them, but neither returned it.

Iggy's eyes were focused somewhere above my head, but his glare was just as intimidating.

Oh. So that's how it is. Fine.

As much as I said I didn't care, I did. After all, they are my family

"I think we should head back to the house. Let Max and Fang talk it out."

"I don't want to 'talk it out' with him." "Max." Dylan stepped in front of her, and I almost hit him.

"You need to do this. For you. For them. For us." I rolled my eyes at the cheesy line. Max's eyes softened a bit.

"Yeah…okay. Fine."

Dylan smiled. "Thanks. All right guys! Let's get this show in the air!" He tossed himself off the cliff, and I wished with all my heart that his wings would stay tucked in.

Once the dark shapes had faded away and became only specks on the sunny horizon, I turned to Max.

"Hey." I smiled a little, expecting her to smart off or yell at me.

Instead, she stepped towards me. "Oh Fang," she whispered, eyes full of tears.

I wrapped my arms around her slender form, and she pressed her face into my shoulder.

Frankly, I was shocked at this sudden mood swing.

"Max? Are you okay?" She lifted her head. "Of course I'm not okay. I lived without my best friend for ten years, and now he's back and he has an exact clone of me, and I can't believe he replaced me so quickly without so much as a hesitation!"

My eyes widened slightly at this confession.

"Max, I didn't replace you with her. I needed another fighter. You know that. Besides, it isn't like you didn't replace me with Mr. Perfection."

Crap. That last part was not supposed to slip out.

"You think I replaced you with Dylan? Are you serious? He couldn't replace you! He's chatty, and loud, and emotional, and not nearly as good with the kids as you are. I might be expendable to you, but I can't replace you."

"Max, no one could replace you! You're beautiful, and strong, and neat, and a totally kick butt fighter. No one could compare with you. Ever."

She nodded a little. "But then why did you leave? How was it not hard for you to leave behind your family?"

"It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But you were all in danger when I was around, so I left. You know that. Why don't you believe me?"

"Because we were in more danger after you left than before. So you only made it worse."

She was impossible.

*Max POV*

I can't believe I cried. I freaking cried! I'm such an idiot.

My plan was to be totally ticked off, and mad, and hate him. But as soon as everyone left, I totally broke down. What is wrong with me?

Not to mention that stupid confession. I'm so stupid.

This was supposed to be an I-hate-you sort of conversation, but in turned into a huge heart to heart. I hate him for doing this to me.

And really, really hate him for even thinking that I could replace him with Dylan. I mean, Dylan was great and all, but he was no Fang.

Oh God. I was in way over my head.

His dark eyes were completely unreadable.

His arms, (still around me, I might add) were taut with tension.

Oh. My. Lord.

He was nervous!

Fang the great, the emotionless brick wall, the emo kid, was nervous!

Sure, it was the first time I'd seen him, and this was supposed to be serious, but why not see how much control I still had?

This should be really good.