Previously…

I grabbed Fangs head in my hands, his eyes widening a bit, but then I turned his back to me, my fear making me nauseous. I pushed the hair on the back of his neck up and saw…

Max POV

Nothing.

There was nothing on the back of Fang's neck but his smooth olive-toned skin.

So of course, I burst into tears.

I know stupid right?

Well I couldn't help it.

Fang was alive, he wasn't dying and I just HAD to start crying. Fang pulled me into his arms, shushing me, cradling me in his lap, kissing my face and telling me everything would be all right over and over again.

Why was he saying that?

Oh, fuck.

I hadn't told him that there was nothing on the back of his neck. He must think that I was crying because his expiration date had appeared. I twisted in his arms and told him with as much passion as I could muster, "You don't have an expiration date."

Then I kissed him.

I mean full out KISSED him. I pushed him onto his back, tangling my hands in his still slightly damp hair, and laid down on top of him. He kissed me back enthusiastically, cupping the back of my neck with one hand and gripping me around the waist with the other.

This kiss was even better than the first one. My hands were able to explore the contours of his back and shoulders without his shirt getting in the way this time. I trailed my fingers along his flat stomach, marveling at how…chiseled he was. That's the only word I can think of.

I pulled back after a moment and just held him.

I loved having his whole body pressed up against mine; feeling his warmth and love, knowing that he was right there and was alive and healthy made a few more tears leak out of the corners of my eyes.

Oh man, I was becoming such a baby lately.

I had to get this crying thing under control; soon.

Well Maximum, now that your little love fest is over, would you like me to tell you what happened to Fang?

My head snapped up abruptly, hitting Fang in the jaw, and making him bite his lip.

Oops.

He pushed me off of him as I rubbed my head, knowing that there was going to be a bruise there later.

Of course I want to know Jeb, just tell me before I get a frickin' aneurysm.

He was silent for a moment, and for a panicked second I didn't think Jeb was going to answer me. But after a moment, I heard him sigh in my head.

Fang has developed a new power.

Oh, really? What is it?

He has to figure it out on his own. But just know that his power will cause some discord between you. Be prepared and don't forget your mission.

What? What kind of discord? What is it? Dammit Jeb, I'm not playing! Get BACK here!

I growled when I realized that he wasn't coming back.

Just what I need.

Jeb playing mind tricks with me right after Fang almost died.

I swear, between these two, I'm going to get premature gray hair and wrinkles.

I was lying down beside Fang, trying to understand what Jeb had just told me, when I felt Fang's hand on my cheek, turning my face towards his.

"Everything's going to be fine." He said it with such conviction that it was impossible not to believe him.

It was amazing how only five words could make me feel so much better.

But they did.

I leaned into his hand, loving how his touch made me get all tingly on the inside, even if it was just his hand on my cheek. I decided to tell him everything, even the part about how Jeb said we were going to disagree about it or something.

"Jeb said that you have a new power now. But he wouldn't tell me what it was."

And then I did something that must have shocked Fang, and all you readers out there, to the core; I pouted.

I know I know, Maximum Ride NEVER pouts.

But I HATE it when people don't tell me stuff.

Fang smiled a little, and gently brushed my stuck out bottom lip with a knuckle. I quickly pulled my lip back in, then stuck my tongue out at him, getting a quiet chuckle this time.

"He also said that your new power would make us fight, and he told me to remember my mission, be prepared, yada, yada, yada."

Fang just nodded, obviously reverting back to his quiet impassive ways.

Oh well, at least he was fine now. But we really needed to get back to the flock. They were probably worried about us.

I jumped up and looked around, trying to gauge which direction we needed to fly in.

I thought about which way we had come from and finally pointed south-east.

"Come on, we don't want to leave the flock for too long. Iggy and Gazzy might make a bomb or something and blow up the house; and my mom would NOT be happy about coming home to a pile of ashes instead of her house." I motioned for Fang to go ahead of me, wanting to make sure that he didn't pass out again.

He just looked at me steadily, so I knew he had guessed what I was trying to do.

Drat. He has foiled another one of my attempts to take care of him.

Oh well.

I just shrugged, and tried to look nonchalant about it, launching myself into the air, and then turning around quickly so I could see Fang take off.

He didn't seem sick anymore.

In fact, he looked fantastic.

He hadn't put his shirt back on, so I could see how his muscles worked when he was flying, and believe me, it was quite a sight.

He rose up next to me and raised an eyebrow.

I had been staring at him for a while.

I blushed furiously, and looked down, turning towards home.

BAHAHAHAHA!!! Did I fool anyone? I hope so (smiles evilly). Also, kudos to RustyW1ngs for guessing what I was doing. I STILL NEED IDEAS!!! Anything you guys want, more Fax, maybe some Niggy or Eggy, flyboys, just tell me and I'll try to fit it in. Criticisms are always welcome, just please, no flame. I'm glad and really really surprised that so many people like my story, so keep reviewin' and tell me what I'm doing wrong. And I'll definitely try not to do too many cliffhangers. Ino it's cruel and mean but its just sooooo much fun. And did you really think that I could kill Fang?!?!?! Come on, what is wrong with you people!?!?!?! I will NEVER kill Fang! It's just not possible. It's like trying to nail jell-o to a wall. God, I need to stop these long authors notes. Thanks for reading!!! :D