We dropped off the dress at Mom's house. There was much oohing and awing from her and Ella was talking almost as fast as Nudge - not an easy feat.

We finally managed to escape after lots of hugs (Fang's face for this was almost worth the trip to the mall) and promises that it would be 'the best day ever!' and 'so much fun'. Personally being attacked by 20 flyboys sounded about ten times more 'fun' then dancing.

But maybe that's just me.

The flight back to the house was silent and the air was so full of tension I could seriously feel my feathers tingling.

Part of me felt guilty. All Iggy wanted to do was go to the dance. And he should! When it came to major life landmarks we were waaay behind. But only part of me. We're talking Europe VS America here. And I should know - I've been there.

For those of you a little unsure where we sit on the real estate market you will be glad to know we have upgraded from forest clearings and abandoned caves to an actual structure with heating and (hallelujah chorus here) hot water. We actually got our old house rebuilt.

Mom offered to let us stay with her and I have to admit it was tempting, but in the end we had to decline. The flock is the flock and we have to keep it that way, saving the world or not. Jeb paid for the house, and checks in every once in a while. He got us online tutoring too, seeing as we hadn't had the best experience with the school system.

Was this nice of him? Yes. Did I forgive him? No. I was civil around him and kept the sarcasm to the minimum, but in my mind Jeb was never going to be dad. Not for awhile at least.

I zoned back in as we approached the house. I angled my wings in and landed beside the front door. It was just starting to get dark, which meant that Nudge and Angle were probably watching the OC or some other silly romantic drama.

I found it boring and pointless but Nudge and Angel were obsessed. I was actually thinking about taking away the cable for awhile - I don't know if I could take anymore Nudge rambles about the total hotness of Benjamin Mackenzie.

We landed and Iggy practically bolted to the door. Jeez that boy was fast when he wanted to be. I just hoped he was running to make dinner - shopping really makes you hungry.

Fang started to edge towards the door too, but I blocked his way. Where before he had been amused, he now seemed wary. Good - he should be. He was about to face the wrath of Max.

'So when exactly were you planning on telling me about this?" I asked, keeping my tone casual but giving him the glare of death.

Fang's face was as impassive as always. His reply? A shrug. That was Fang for you - always so literate

'We are supposed to be a team! We make decisions together! As in not just one of us!'

He stared at me levelly.'You could have said no.'

'No I bloody well couldn't have! You already said yes, so I would have been evil, uncaring, no fun Max!'



He tried to keep a straight face, but I could tell he was amused by my outburst. 'Well I don't see what's so bad about that - it kind of has a ring to it.'

I scowled at him. 'You should have told me.'

Fang crossed his arms and looked back at me. 'If I had told you would you have said yes?'

I opened my mouth to say something, and then closed it. Damn him and his logic!

Fang smirked at me and something inside me snapped. "UGH!" I wheeled and launched a roundhouse at his face. He caught it and looked at me, a little taken aback, but his mouth twitched."Touchy today aren't we?"

I turned and walked away, then came back. 'You can act all smug about this but the bottom line is, you're going to have to go too.'

He raised his eyebrows slightly, 'Yah, I kind of got that.'

I looked at him unfazed, "You are going to have to dress up, and go into a big crowded room full of people. There is no easy exit, and the music will be so loud you can't hear yourself think. It is going to be full of idiots getting drunk, and pushing each other around.

I took a step closer to him and smiled evilly. 'There will be dancing.'

Fangs face went white.