Once again, thanks for the great reviews! Bikinis in this chapter! Thanks for waiting!

Disclaimer: I own nothing that doesn't belong to me. Jeez, I'm getting too old for this.


"Max, Max! Wake up!" yelled Angel, jumping on my bed. I groaned and held on to my pillow. I'm on holiday! Give me a break. Wait, bed? Pillow? How did I get here? The last thing I remember is watching Batman Begins and falling asleep, on Fang's shoulder.

Fang. He must have carried me to bed. I moaned and swung myself out of bed.

"Awww… That's so sweet. See? I told you he cared about you." Angel cooed, probably having read my thoughts.

"Morning, sweetie. What's for breakfast?" I sighed. She was never going to stop about me and Fang.

"There's a kitchen in the boys room. Iggy's cooking breakfast." She beamed. I knew I should have been the first one up, I should know that Ig was cooking breakfast, I should have been the one to wake everybody up.

"It's okay, Max. You don't have to be on top of things all the time." Angel read my mind again.

Thanks, Ange. I understand. Come on, let's go get breakfast. I thought. She nodded, grabbed my hand and led the way.

Fang was lounging on the couch and was channel surfing like nobody's business. Gazzy was sitting at the table, ready to pounce at the food the moment it appeared on the table. Nudge skipped up to me and started chattering about what we should do today.

"Morning, Max! We're going to the beach today right? Ooh, we can get nice tans and drink smoothies and look at cute guys-" She was cut off when my hand clapped over her mouth.

"Morning Nudge. Please don't rant so early in the morning." I greeted. Fang looked up and nodded, acknowledging my presence. Iggy turned in my direction and smiled good morning.

"Ah, sleeping beauty is finally awake." He drawled.

"Morning Max! We're going to the beach today, right? You promised." Gazzy's big blue eyes were so lovable.

"Yes." I sighed. I was going to survive through an entire day of Fang and Iggy drooling over girls in barely there bikinis. I cursed myself, what on earth had possessed me to agree to this?

Because you love all of us and want us to have a break? Angel suggested mischievously in my head.

Yes, yes. Sweetie, don't read my thoughts, okay? I know we're on vacation but certain rules still apply. I thought back to her.

Okay Max. I know. By the way, I think Fang will only be drooling over you and nobody else. What? I sighed, Angel really seemed keen on getting Fang and I together.

I sat down to overloaded plates of bacon, toast and eggs. My mouth watered. Everybody came to have breakfast and I took this opportunity to set a few boundaries.

"We're going to the beach today, and I know that we're on vacation but still stay alert, okay? Keep your eyes and ears open and watch your wings. You can have fun but make sure you know the limits. And stay within Fang's or my sight. Clear?"

Everyone nodded and I hoped they all registered this. Sometimes, words went in one ear and out the other. The kids, eager to get to the beach, finished their food in record time. We went into our separate rooms to change.


Fang's POV

I pulled on my black (obviously) swimming shorts, Iggy had gotten blue and Gaz had gotten green. I had no idea what Max got, but I'm quite sure she got a bikini. Hmm…

Just then, Max knocked on the adjoining door. Think of the devil. I hastily put on a shirt.

"Ready?" she called. I didn't reply, instead I moved silently to the door, unlocked it and pulled it open. There she stood, in a black bikini that made her look…perfect. Yes, perfect. She was stunning, beautiful and one of a kind.


Max's POV

When we were done dressing, I knocked the adjoining door and called, "Ready?" No response. I was about to yank the door off its hinges whether they were ready or not, when the door swung open and there Fang stood.

He was in a black fitting shirt and black shorts. Of course, how could it be in any other color? I blushed as he stood there, staring, eyes slightly widened. How often does your best friend give you an up down?

I quickly pulled on the translucent thingy, made sure that everyone was decent and opened the real door.

"Let's go!" I announced. They got out and assembled near the stairs while I locked the door. The moment I turned and gave them the 'okay' signal, they clattered down the steps, chattering noisily. Except for Fang, of course.

I readied myself for another round of flirting from Miss Flirty as we walked past the lobby. Surprisingly and thankfully, she wasn't there.

The beach was right outside the resort so we arrived pretty fast. I savored the warm sand between my toes. We had come bare footed and Angel, the Gasman and Nudge hit the water immediately.

As I walked around finding a spot to settle down, I realized that every guy at the beach was either staring at me or getting tugged away by their girlfriends. What was their problem?

I found a spot that I liked and sat down, soaking up the sun, trying to ignore the fact that I was surrounded by huge bunches of people.


Fang's POV

I gritted my teeth when Max walked into the beach. Every guy, single or not, turned to gape at her. She looked as if she didn't notice. Didn't she realize that she was just so beautiful?

She settled on the sand and I could tell she was enjoying herself by the way she closed her eyes and smiled in that dreamy way. Iggy was trying to get me to describe the beach bunnies and I refused because I knew Max was listening.

"Oh, hey!" a chirpy voice greeted, "Fancy meeting you here!" I looked up from my position on the ground to see the receptionist from yesterday. I groaned inwardly, she was so cheerful and smiling all the time, just what was so funny?


Max's POV

"Oh hey!" a chirpy voice interrupted me relaxing and basking in the sun, a chirpy voice that was all too familiar.

I opened my eyes and saw Miss Flirty standing over Fang and smiling like there was no tomorrow.

"My name's Jessica. What's yours?" she continued brightly.

"Nick." Fang replied after a short pause.

"That's a great name! Mind if I join you?" she plopped herself down without waiting for a reply. She was wearing a skimpy, tiny bikini with a neckline way too low.

"Don't you have work?" I force out through gritted teeth, trying to sound polite.

"Yeah, my shift's in, like, half an hour's time." She said sadly. I exhaled inwardly. Thank god, I would only have to tolerate her for half an hour.

I looked around for Iggy, panicking slightly when I couldn't see him. Then I saw him talking to a girl in a white bikini, what a ladies' man.

Meanwhile, Jessica chatted animatedly with a bored looking Fang. He gave one syllable answers and sometimes just nodded and shook his head. I felt like laughing, I felt the slightest bit of pity for Jessica who was desperately trying to get Fang's attention.

"Max, come look at this starfish!" Angel tugged me to the water. Nudge and Gazzy were admiring a blue starfish. I stood next to them and agreed that yes, it was so cool.

"That's so cool! Do you think that maybe there's a purple starfish? Maybe there are pink ones too! Wow! When I grow up and become a National Geographic diver, I'll discover the world's first pink starfish-" Nudge was glowing with excitement.

"Nudge, please! Let's just play tag, okay?? Gazzy interrupted. Then he grinned and tagged Angel, "You're it!" he shouted gleefully. I smiled and headed back to the sand as they continued their game.

As I arrived, Jessica seemed about to leave.

"Bye. It's been great talking with you! Maybe I'll see you at dinner tonight. You know, dinner's included every night. So, see you!" She leaned down and pecked him on the cheek, then flounced off. My insides boiled, how dare she!

Fang was too surprised to respond to Jessica. I flung myself onto the space next to him. I wasn't blind, I had seen all the other girls eyeing him, ready to throw themselves at him at the given chance.

"Getting a bit too friendly, are we?" I tried to keep my voice nonchalant. Fang glared at me.

"I didn't know she was going to do that." He defended himself.

"Sure, if every girl could, that's exactly what she would be doing!" I said, exasperated.

"Are you jealous?" Fang asked incredulously. Crap, I refused to admit it. I still wasn't sure if telling Fang that I loved him was the best thing to do.

"No!" I tried to sound calm, "I'm hungry, let's get some lunch, I think the kids are hungry too." I blurted, I was, in actual fact, quite hungry.

"Okay." Fang replied, still sounding like he didn't quite believe me. I got up and wnet to tell Iggy. I found him still chatting to that girl in white bikini.

"Hey, Igs, Fang and I are going to get lunch. Take care of the kids." I whispered in his ear. He nodded, politely excused himself to the girl and headed in the direction of the younger set.

I went back to Fang and began walking. "There's a beach bar over there." Fang informed me. I supposed Jessica told him. My stomach tied itself up in knots.

I nodded stiffly and continued walking in the direction he had gestured in. We came across a nicely decorated bar. I stopped in front of it and read the menu, hot dogs, burgers, ice cream ,smoothies, iced tea, etc.

Fang followed me to the counter and waited patiently for me to order. I smiled at the guy behind the counter and rattled off my order.

"Eight hotdogs, ten burgers, six smoothies and one iced tea." The guy looked a bit shocked, and then recovered.

"Big crowd, huh?" he flashed a smile at me and started getting the food ready. I managed a weak smile but didn't respond. Let him think his answer was right. Actually, this guy wasn't bad looking, he had a nice smile, brown eyes…

I felt Fang tense beside me and I think I heard him growl. I had no idea why he was growling, but he was obviously unhappy. Better get out of here before Fang loses his temper, if you think I'm scary when I'm mad, wait till you see Fang.

I grabbed the food the minute it was ready, threw the money on the counter, grabbed Fang and dragged him out of there. Iggy must have told Gazzy, Nudge and Angel the reason why Fang and I disappeared. They were waiting for us when we arrived and tackled the food immediately.

I grabbed a hot dog and began eating while listening to what my flock had been up to.

"And Angel made this fish do somersaults and back flips…" Nudge really loved the beach.

So do you. Angel 'said' smugly.

Yes, are you having fun? I thought back.

There's a dinner tonight? And every night?! Angel shrieked in my head. I sighed, uh oh.

"Max!! We have to get more clothes!" Angel screeched.

"Huh?" Nudge looked confused.

"There's a free dinner every night! We need new outfits!" Angel squealed.

"Oh! That's great!" Nudge squealed too. They hurriedly finished eating and went to discuss clothes. I hoped they knew that I refused to go to the shops again.

Iggy and Gazzy started to build a sandcastle. I lay back on the sand, contented. The food here wasn't bad. I gave a happy sigh.


Fang's POV

I was beginning to panic, although I didn't show it. What if Max liked some loser crap? I had to show her I cared, and yet make sure it wasn't too obvious. I should make her think that I was teasing her and at the same time convey some subtle message.

I ran a hand through my hair, what should I do? Then it hit me, when we went to Mrs Martinez's house, and Max got her chip removed, I told her that I would carve our initials on a tree, why not do just that?

I gathered my guts, took a deep breath and turned to her.

"Max."


Max's POV

"Max." I looked at Fang, if I didn't know better, I'd say he was nervous, but of course, Fang was never nervous.

"Hmm?" I replied. I wanted to stay here, in the warm sun, getting a great tan and feeling relaxed.

"I need to show you something." Immediately all my internal alarms went off. What was wrong? Did he find something?

"Relax, it doesn't concern our safety." He said, reading the look on my face perfectly. I nodded and told Iggy he was in charge.

He grabbed my hand and started walking. My brain shut down, Fang was holding my hand and leading me to an unknown destination. Oh my god, Fang was holding my hand!

He led me to a cluster of coconut trees and stopped abruptly.

"What? Why are we here for?" I asked, thoroughly confused.

"I told you I'd carve our initials on a tree. Now that we have time, pick a tree." He told me, smirking.

"Fang!" I growled, stupid Fang, making fun of me.

"Really. Go on." He encouraged. Fine, two could play this game. Let's see if he regrets this.

"Okay, uh… That one." I pointed at a tall coconut tree. I was fighting laughter.

"Sure." He agreed and walked to it, pulling out a penknife. The laughter died in my throat, he was serious?

"So, F.R loves M.R?" he asked for approval, knife hovering over the bark. I nodded, speechless. He carved the letters in a heart on the tree as I watched amazed. I had no idea Fang would do this. Maybe he did love me after all.

"What do you think?" he looked at me. I struggled for a witty remark, I begged my brain to do something, but instead, I sat there looking into his dark eyes as he stared into my brown ones.

Unknowingly, we leaned closer and closer, my eyes fluttered close…


Evil cliffy! How was it? Good? This chapter is amazingly long. Enough Fax for you?

Exams are coming soon, so you might have to wait awhile for the next chapter.

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-Red rose