Posting chapter and going back to bed. Long story. Don't own Max...

"Dammit, Max!"

I was dizzy, and woozy. I opened my eyes a little.

"Dylan?" I muttered in confusion.

Normally I dreamt about Fang. Why was I dreaming about Dylan? I must have mumbled the question out loud because I actually got an answer.

"You're not dreaming, Max. Oh my God. There's so much…" He whispered, sounding a little scared.

"Dylan, I'm fine. Just let me go back to sleep." I mumbled sleepily. I began drifting off to sleep when I felt a jarring feeling, like he was lifting me up. I was going to protest but his arms were nice and warm, and I just realized that I felt a little cold.

"Not good. Not good at all. Max! Stay with me! Max, wake up!" Dylan was shouting. We were flying and I could feel the wind, which was making me colder.

"Just going to sleep…" I murmured, snuggling closer and finally passing out.

When I woke up I was in a warm, cozy bed. The pillows were soft with fresh sheets. Nope, not my bed. I pulled myself up lazily and looked around.

"Thank God!" My mom rushed to my side. Ella was sitting beside me in a small wooden chair with tears in her eyes.

They both squeezed me tightly.

I looked beside me to see Dylan sprawled on top of the sheets drooling lightly. What had happened?

"You could have just called if you wanted to see me!" Mom was trying to joke but her voice was shaky and nervous.

"What happened?" I wondered out loud. I must be in Mom and Ella's hotel room.

"You almost died, Max! If Dylan hadn't found you…!" Ella choked a little.

"Dylan found you in the woods. Apparently you'd been fighting Erasers. He saw where you'd undone the handcuffs but somehow you cut your wrist on them. You nicked an artery and you were bleeding out! He brought you here. He's refused to leave your side ever since. He started donating blood because you lost so much. Eventually he passed out from exhaustion and here you are." Mom explained.

The other bed was disheveled and worn in. Obviously she and Ella had been sharing that one when all this happened.

"I'm such an idiot…" I muttered, slapping my forehead.

"You lost a lot of blood, Max. Dylan donated a lot. If it weren't for him…well, let's just say you're lucky to have him around." Mom summed up.

"I guess."

I lay back against the headboard, hungry, thirsty, and strangely enough, still tired.

"I'll call Iggy and let him know you're okay." Ella offered. I nodded lightly, closing my eyes and going back to sleep.

*The next morning*

"Good morning, Champ!" Iggy smiled, scrambling some eggs and throwing them in the frying pan. I was still in Mom and Ella's hotel room, but Nudge, Iggy, and Gazzy were here. Nudge and Ella were looking at some magazine. Gazzy was playing with his Nintendo DS that Mom had gotten him for Christmas. Iggy was making breakfast. Dylan was sitting up in the bed next to me ruffling his hair, apparently just waking up too.

"Sorry." He said quickly, throwing himself out of bed with an embarrassed look.

"Um, I think you have that backwards. I should probably be apologizing to you." I offered quietly.

He looked confused. Maximum Ride is not well known for apologizing.

"I'm really sorry, to all of you guys. I've been a real as…butthole to you guys. This has just been really hard on me. And instead of being grateful for you guys for staying with me I've been too busy pouting over the ones who left." I spoke up, feeling awfully embarrassed myself.

Iggy was right. Maximum Ride had checked out and been replaced by some pathetic whimpering excuse of a person. No more. No more crying, moping, or tantrums. That person was gone. Maximum Ride was back!

"Are you sure you don't want to come back with us? At least for a little while?" Mom asked one last time.

"We've got to get back to normal, Mom." I answered. I had to get back to normal.

"If you change your mind…" She offered.

"We'll call first." I laughed. "We'll come visit soon. I promise."

"Okay." She said giving me one last hug.

She turned to Dylan and gave him one too.

"Thank you so much, Dylan. Please look after her." She pled to him

"I will Dr. Martinez. I'll call you if we need help." He answered.

"Call me Val." She smiled back. I rolled my eyes to Ella and she giggled a little, heading to give Iggy a hug.

After goodbyes were shared all around I went back into leader mode, a place I hadn't been in a long time. I hadn't realized that I'd missed it, or how comfortable it was.

"U and A guys." I ordered getting a running start. The Flock followed behind me.

"What are we going to do when we get back, Max?" Dylan asked while we were flying.

It was a weird déjà vu type feeling, knowing that I'd done this so many times with Fang. He and I talking while the younger ones followed behind joking and laughing, all flying in midair.

"We're going to clean. " I told him. He looked confused but just shrugged.

Before he could fly off I got his attention.

"Hey Dylan. Thanks. I mean, finding me, taking me to my mom's, the blood. I…I owe you." I said quietly.

Dylan just smiled and I was simply dazzled by the sight. His smile was infectious, making me want to smile too. I felt my face warming and intentionally tried to look passive.

"Just looking out for you, Max. Someone has to." He winked.

I fought back unhappy thoughts and blinked back tears. He was right, I guess. Fang was gone so there was no one to look out for me anymore. Nice to know I had Dylan to fall back on.