AN- Hey everyone, thanks so much for the reviews! Each one put a mega-watt smile on my face!

Here's the next chapter. This one contains two moments, because I figured each one would be too short to be alone. The first one takes place near the beginning of the book and the second one after they've received the exploding pizza.

I've been thinking of doing a longer fic, a multi-chapter that will basically be the Flock as normal humans. No wings, no powers. Max, Fang and Iggy are three best friends in high school. Ella and Nudge are two years younger then the trio and best friends. Gazzy and Angel will most likely be the same age as Ella and Nudge. It's just something I've been thinking about, if anyone has any comments like "Don't do it!" please, do share.

Enjoy this chap!


Fang was bored. Maybe slightly nervous. They Flock would be going to Washington tomorrow to speak to big, important people about their existence.

He really hoped this wouldn't blow up in their faces. Everyone was excited. And nervous. Nudge was chattering non-stop, Gazzy and Iggy were talking in whispers in the corner. Angel was entertaining Total and Jeb and Dr. Martinez were looking as nervous as the rest of them.

Then, there was Max.

He wasn't used to seeing her like this. He was used to dirt caked onto her skin or blood covering her clothes. He wasn't used to her looking so.....so......so

Girly.

It was weird. But, a good weird. He knew she was beautiful, he'd known it ever since her crate was placed next to his in the School. Especially when she talked back to the evil scientists.

It had started out with that feeling, the one Iggy had described, the floating in his stomach. But, then, it evolved into something more. He'd die for Max. He'd kill for Max. He'd do just about anything under the sun for Max. Except that whole Ari thing but that was in the past.

"Everything looking okay?"

Fang jumped. He, the master of being silent, hadn't heard Iggy approach. That was what Max did to his brain. She made it all lumpy and stupid.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Go on to sleep, Ig. I have first watch."

"We don't need to have watch tonight. We're in a safe house. You should take your own advice. Go to sleep."

Fang sighed. "Anything with the word safe in the title is usually anything but."

Iggy grinned. "So. Max looks like a girl, does she?"

"I will kill you Iggy."

"I mean, she is fourteen and, according to Nudge, looking pretty hot in that shirt."

"Slowly and painfully, I will."

"She doesn't have a mustache either. That's got to be a turn on."

"Or maybe really fast instead so you will shut up."

"Just say it and I will leave you alone. Max. Is. Pretty. Come on. I know you can."

"I wish you could see the death glare I am sending your way Iggy. I really do."

"Yep. Me too. Now, try it: Max. Is. Pretty."

Fang sighed. "If I say it, will you go away?"

"Yes."

"Will you stop bugging me tonight?"

"Yes."

"Will you stop bugging me, ever?"

"That, I'm afraid, I cannot promise you."

"Fine. Max is pretty."

"Awwwwwwwwww. I knew it, you looooooooooooove her. Fang loves-Ow! That was my head, dude."

"Good night, Iggy."

"Good night, Fang. Are you going to go give Max a kiss goodnight?"

Yep, it was official.

Iggy, Fang thought, was a dead man.


It was quiet in the hotel room. Well, not exactly. Gazzy was snoring and so was Jeb. Fang glanced over and saw Iggy's pale eyes opened wide. He couldn't sleep either. Reaching over, he tapped Iggy's hand twice. Then, they left the room, opting for a quieter setting outside.

"I'd never thought I'd say this, but thank God for Gazzy's blowing up stuff phaze. If he hadn't seen the fuse on those boxes." Fang trailed off.

"Yep. I'm a good influence on that little guy." Iggy grinned. "It was kind of scary though. I mean, I know we're used to near-death experiences, we get them all the time. But, this was different. I wasn't expecting it to happen at a safe house."

"Anything but safe." Fang said, quietly.

"I had the weirdest thought after it happened too. Promise not to make fun?"

Any other time, Fang would have said no and proceeded to give Iggy the same crap he was giving him. But, tonight felt different somehow. They both felt older, wiser beyond their years. Jokes were a thing of the past.

"I promise."

"I thought that I was never going to see Ella again. I mean, forget the fact my entire family was in danger, all I could think about was Ella. Hearing her laugh, her voice. I mean, I know I'd never actually see her but....you know what I mean."

"Yeah. Yeah, I know."

Fang understood that fear. It was the feeling that had overtaken him seconds after the explosion.

"I had one thought in my mind. 'Get Max, save Max.' She was priority number one, Ig. I had to save her."

"Have you kissed her since the last time?" Iggy asked.

"No. She'll probably find yet another way to reject me."

"You should try it. I mean, you did kind of save her life. And, she's probably thinking the same thing as us, only about you. She's probably very emotional right now, you could totally score a kiss off her."

"Nice."

"I'm not trying to sound like a jerk or anything. But, right now, Max is probably laying in bed thinking about you. You totally need to go for it."

The smallest of all rays of hope entered Fang's mind. "You think?"

"Yeah. You go calling on the fair maiden. I'm going to bed."

Iggy turned to where he remembered the door to be. Fang took a few steps towards Max's room.

"Hey." Iggy called. Fang stopped.

"Let me know what happens!"

Fang smirked. "Yeah. Right."

Iggy frowned. "Fine, be that way. Even though I'm giving you the amazing advice. You should be thanking me when all goes according to plan.....Fang? Hello? Are you there?"

There were absolute silence. Except the occasional cricket chirping.

"Psh, fine, ditch the blind guy in the middle of the night without telling him. I hope she pushes you away again." Iggy muttered.


AN- Were these good? Did you like them? I hope so.