-- Go Ascend With Ivy --

Max was starting to wonder if maybe she and Fang were just a little too wrapped up in themselves (and each other) lately. She couldn't help noticing that the younger girls had gotten awfully cuddly with Iggy recently. And even Gazzy was going to Iggy instead of Max for what she typically thought of as "mom" problems.

When she brought the subject up with Fang, he replied sarcastically, "Our kids are growing up." And wiped away a fake tear from his eye.

Max smacked his shoulder and snapped, "I'm serious!"

Fang switched on his I'm-serious expression.

"I mean," Max continued. "They still need a mom, only for some reason that mom is Iggy now and not me!"

Fang snickered at the idea of Iggy as a mom for a minute, then - becoming serious again - told her not to worry about it. It wasn't like she was neglecting her duties as a mom or anything. The kids were probably just going through a phase. Kids did that sometimes.

He didn't voice this next thought, but he was actually worried that Angel and Nudge had both developed crushes on Iggy. Which could cause major trouble - especially if Iggy and Nudge got together, leaving no viable partners within the flock for Gazzy or Angel. On top of that issue, Fang was pretty sure that Gazzy already had a crush on Nudge. But Nudge was fast approaching puberty, and was more likely to be interested in an older guy... The situation could easily descend into a web of soap-opera-style complications. But Fang saw no reason to burden Max with these observations, when she was already struggling with the feeling that her relationship with Fang might be tearing her away from the rest of the flock.

That night, Max didn't have any nightmares. In fact, she was enjoying quite a pleasant dream when she was awakened by the sound of Nudge's voice. Screaming.

Max leaped out of bed and darted out into the hallway, with Fang hot on her heels.

Angel quickly informed them, "Nudge locked herself in the bathroom."

Gazzy was also out in the hallway. Iggy was conspicuously absent.

"Nudge, honey, are you okay?" Max called through the closed bathroom door.

"Um, Max..." Nudge hesitated, for once in her life not having much to say and not knowing how to phrase what she needed to say. "... I think I just became a woman."

She WHAT?!

Max exchanged a look with Fang that could be translated as Do you want to kill Iggy, or shall I? Better yet, let's both kill him.

Since Nudge was too embarassed to continue, Angel tapped into her mind and explained, "She woke up with a stomachache. Iggy gave her warm milk and told stories until she went back to sleep."

Iggy chose this moment to make his appearance and took up the tale from there.

"But apparently it was actually cramps, not a stomachache. Cause she perioded all over my bed."

- to be continued -

Reviews are love. Poor Iggy needs a hug.