I don't own Maximum Ride. I own my characters Tails and Sam.

Chapter 4

Fang's POV

I was already sweating in this stupid monkey suit. The last time I had worn one of these things was….No, I wouldn't think about that. She was here now. That's all that matters.

I could tell that Sam was just as uncomfortable as I was. I smirked at him, and he returned with a glare.

Soon the girls emerged from Tails' room. Tails first quickly using her crutches to get out of everyone's focus, then came Angel and Nudge, last was Max. I couldn't help but staring.

Nudge had done a great job with her hair and make-up. There was just enough of it to bring out her chocolate brown eyes. Her blonde hair had been straitened and pulled back from her face.

I sighed. Boy was I a lucky man! Dylan was extremely well to put it nicely p-ode. But what can I say? First come, first serve.

I felt Sam squirm beside me. His face was starting to match the color of his hair. I caught exactly where his eyes were held. "Tails looks so different." He whispered to me.

I nodded. She did indeed look different, more grown up. Her strait black hair was half pulled back into a small pony tail which was in soft waves. Nudge had cut side bangs into her hair and they fell softly across her dark brown eyes. The make-up that had been put on her brought out the gold specks in them.

Both of my girls looked amazing. Although I wasn't sure I could claim Max as my girl even though she would always have me. "Shall we?" I said holding out my arm for Max to take.

She stepped up reluctantly and I escorted her out to the limo. Sam was right behind me helping Tails hobble down the steps in front of our building. Iggy had Nudge on his arm, the Gasman was escorting his sister, and poor Mr. Perfect was all by his lonesome.

I couldn't help but feel just a little smug at the thought, and I was sure to hear it from Tails later that night.

The dinner was relatively uneventful although Sam went home early with Tails because of her foot. The others soon after, but Dylan stayed with Max and me until the Mayor had decided to turn in, that git. Not the mayor, Dylan.

After Dylan was far enough in front of us I took Max's hand and we flew towards Central Park.

We sat down on a bench looking out at one of the fountains. I turned my head so that I could just stare at her. Take her in again and commit her to my memory just like this. In my mind I was also begging her to just look at me. For her to yell at me or something! This silence was unbearable.

Finally she looked towards me; I couldn't tell what she was thinking. Not this time. Suddenly I found myself leaning towards her, and the most surprising thing was that she was leaning to. We were so close. I could feel her warm breath on my face, but then it was gone in a flash.

I barely managed to grab her arm before she took off. "I can't do this Fang!" she said trying to jerk away from me.

"I'm sorry. That was really stupid of me." I said, "Please! Don't run away." I begged her then added in a whisper, "Not again."

She just looked at me, "Why?" she asked.

I looked into her eyes and saw the pain that had been disguised for so long. It caught me off guard and I couldn't answer her. When I finally regained my voice I asked, "Why what?"

"Why did you leave me?" she whispered.

I pulled her close, "Max, I promise you I won't leave you." That was the wrong thing to say. She pulled away from me tears filling her eyes.

"Don't promise me anything Fang." She seethed, "You've broken to many already."

"That was the wrong thing to say." I said looking away from her, "Max, can't we just you know, go back to normal?"

"Normal?" she exclaimed, "Do you really expect things to be normal after you went off and left me?"

"No, not really I just hoped that…"

"That what? That I would just jump back into your arms and things would be better than before? Well that can't happen Fang. You tore my heart out Fang. My world didn't go 'grey' it went black. I don't cry, but I cried for you. I don't beg, and I begged that you would return. But instead you found a new flock. You didn't return and my tears were wasted. You have a family and obviously someone else that has replaced me." Her voice cracked on the last word.

"No." I said quietly, "That's not what I hoped. I was protecting you Max. And Tails is my sister. She could never replace you. When I said I loved you I meant it. It killed me to see you in the news with the flock, with Dylan at your side. I swear that I could never love her more than you. I wanted to go back; you can ask Sam and Tails. I almost did to, but I guessed I was convinced I was doing you some good staying away."

"What good could have come out of that if it tore both our worlds apart?" Max said tears spilling out of her eyes. She was in pain, and I realized then that I had caused this pain. I stepped back and let go of her arm. An ach in my chest as I realized what I had done.

I had made the great Maximum Ride cry. I had torn her apart. I shook my head and stared at her then took a step forward wanting to bring her into my arms. "I'm so sorry Max." I whispered.

"Sorry doesn't cut it this time Fang." She said and took off into the night sky. I stood there staring at the sky watching her fly away again as I had so many times before. But this time it was different. This time I had not only made her cry but I had also succeeded in probably losing any chance I had in winning her back.

Sad chapter, drama, and slight almost Faxness. Does that equal reviews? I really wanted to make them kiss but that would be counter productive for my story plot. Oh well I suppose they needed that argument. Now Fang feels guilty and Max has finally made her feelings known! Thanks for reading!! ~chocoyum4~ P.S. please don't kiss me! I just about died when I was writing this chapter and the next one.