Hiya! Ok so this chapter I plan to get the whole main plot underway and if everything goes as planned there should be a new character and maybe the intro of the Mock Flock ;)

Disclaimer: Sadly still not a published author so there is no way Maximum Ride is mine!

I had waited in a nervous state puttering around the camp as the flock slept for about 20 minutes and then when my nerves had been thoroughly shredded down to frayed pieces, I woke Iggy.

"What?" Iggy asked quietly, wiping sleep from his blind eyes.

"I need you to watch the flock." I said in my 'don't ask question and just do it' voice.

"Alright but where's Fang?" It's creepy how he can do that, sometimes I doubt he's actually blind at all and is just pulling our wings.

"Went for a fly." I said flatly. Iggy nodded and I told him where to meet up if we didn't come back by the afternoon. I walked over to the clearing that Fang had taken off. I opened my wings which had gained an extra foot in wing span, now reaching 15ft across. I leaped into the air. I bet you're wondering how I would ever find Fang. But don't worry about that curious reader. I know him well enough to know he would fly to the highest point around which thankfully wasn't too far and I would reach the mini mountain in about 2 minutes thanks to my super speed. Were I in a better mood I would more than likely describe how awesome the whole super speed thing is, but well you know. I reached the highest ledge that had an over-hang and dipped into the rock wall about ten feet; on the ledge I also saw a silhouette that I would know anywhere. Fang had his back against the side wall of the cave, his one knee drawn up to his chest the other flat on the ground. He'd rested his head back against the cave's wall, dark eyes closed, beautiful, sharp angled face upturned and expressionless. And this time his face actually was emotionless, not in the way that other people would see him and I would know what he was feeling but I felt like an outsider to him. And that scared me. Yes haha Maximum Ride is scared.

I landed as silently as possible, dust flying off the ground. Fang stayed motionless.

"Maximum," Fang said, his voice sounded pained but was suppressed as possible.

I stood facing him, straight faced but unsure what to do next. My feet somehow had carried me to be standing beside him and I sat down next to him, 4 inches away. I reached out slowly and gently placed my hand on his arm. His head shot up and slowly turned to look at me and a lowered my hand to firmly grab his.

"Why did you come here?" Fang asked still looking at me with sadness and pain in his eyes.

"Do you remember what I said in the hotel? You're not alone." I whispered looking down. I had pulled our entwined hands to rest against my chest.

He was silent. He gave my hand a tight squeeze and then pulled away.

"I love Maxie; you're the only person I'll ever care about this much. I learn in the school that if you show that you care about something openly it'll be taken from you, taken without mercy. I was scared to ever say anything to about how much I love you back then I knew that they would find some way to ruin it. It wasn't until I realized when Angel was taken that we might have a lot of time left. That's why when I die I want you to move on, especially if me dying means the rest of you will live." He said staring straight ahead.

I clenched my jaw tight to stop the fat, hot tears from escaping. I wanted to yell at him! How could he say 'when' he dies?! Didn't he have any faith in me?

He continued, "You would ask the same Max. If you knew you were going to die for the betterment of the Flock."

He said it again like his death was a certainty.

I stood up, suddenly furious. I was pissed, not only at what he had said but at the whole situation, at the School for creating us at the world and at myself.

"I told you Fang I not going to let this happen! The future is NOT set in stone!" I practically screamed at him, my hands clenched tightly at my side shaking slightly.

"You're going to live Fang. It's not going to happen. It's not…" I whispered. I had said those words over and over to myself for the past 24 hours. Fang was now looking at me with widened eyes full of hopelessness, pain and something I could recognize.

He stood up and walk towards me. My chest was heaving from my pants and oh great, stupid tears had penetrated the barrier I had used to hold my emotions. Now I felt weak and dumb and childish and vulnerable which I hated and never wanted to feel that way about something like this. I was supposed to be the leader of this Marry Band of Freaks. What would the Flock think of me if they saw me right now? Would they regret me as a leader? Think less of me?

Fang's muscular and comforting arms snaked themselves around my waist. He pulled me close to him so we were pressed lightly together. I stayed tense for a moment and then relaxed allowing my one arm to wrap around his waist and the other to rest on the back of his head. He rested his head in the crook of my shoulder and I stroked his hair. I knew he wasn't ok. Fang was scared. I held him tighter and rested my head on top of his. I felt wetness drip onto my shoulder and looked down to see that Fang was crying. Not sobbing or even a steady flow of tears but he had realized two large tears which he tried to hide. This broke my heart. Yes I, Maximum Ride have a heart. Do you know how hard it would be to keep everything bottled up? When I was alone I used to let them out, not like wailing in my pillows or anything, but lamps would turn up broken out of now where sometimes.

"This is worse than all those dreams." I muttered mostly to myself. I closed my eyes and images of Fang's death came rushing back.

Fang brought his head back up, his eyes meeting mine. He cocked his head slightly as if to ask what dreams?

"Remember how I had really bad dreams when we were back in Hawaii? Well they were all on the same topic. Your death." I said quietly not wanting to look into his eyes.

He nodded.

"Max, it's gonna be ok. Don't worry about me, nothing is going to happen. You keep saying that you're not going to let this happen but neither will I. I love you Max and I just got to tell you and I just found out you feel the same. I'm not giving that up any time soon." He kissed me gently and sadly pulled away. We stayed there until we could see the sun beginning to rise and decided the Flock might get worried.

*************** A few hours later*************

We were in the sky, a few hours after sun rise, somewhere over Buffalo New York. Almost there.

Below us I saw a line of cars waiting at the border crossing. Haha I bet one of them forgot their passports.

I was in front of everyone like always Fang directly to my right, Iggy diagonally left to me, and Nudge, Gazzy and Angel right behind me in a line. Everyone had been oddly quiet, like they knew something was wrong, (well Angel did know, but she wouldn't tell anyone would she?). Even Nudge had hardly said a word.

"Max can we get something to eat soon?" Nudge asked. Apparently I spoke too soon.

"We're almost there. But first we're going to get a hotel room and then you can have whatever floats your boats from room servos." I said in my best leaderly voice.

Farms flew by under us as we neared our destination; I'd decided that since the Eraser/Flyboys/M-Geeks/Whatever-the-hell-that-Itex-had-created-and-sent-after-us-as-high-tech-assasigns always hunted us down in big cities I might as well try a place that was a little less populated. We reached the edge of Niagara Falls which was mostly still farm land and a few small lakes or quarries or whatever those things are, basically they are a body of water bigger then a pond and smaller then the sea/ocean. Within a few minutes I could hear rushing water and knew we had to be near the namesake of the city. I turned west slightly by about 4 degrees, not wanting to be over a large attraction. I looked down again a few seconds later to see a grassy area, a park, with a large statue reach up at least 100ft; I looked to left and saw tall buildings that had names on them like, Hiltin, Americana and Ramada.

Hotels.

Bingo.

"Guys hotels are about a 20 minute walk if we land in this park, everyone be careful, try not to let anyone see us." That was the last thing I needed right now.

I turned to them nodding and a few muttered 'yep' and down we went.

The younger three talk about random things as we walked into the hotel. It wasn't as nice as the one we'd just left in Hawaii but it was alright. Why am I judging? I just sent the night sleeping (or well I didn't actually sleep) in a forest and a cave floor. And now that I think about it I'm like dead tired and felt like I could eat a herd of cows. Fang, Iggy and I approached the front desk which matched the rest of the lobby, theme with a kinda Asian feel to it dark wood, red and gold furnishings and large delicate looking flowers. I sound like a freaking interior designer on a high.

The lady at the desk looked at us like we were a bug in her breakfast.

She was in her 30's with dark hair and bags under her pinched dark eyes.

"How can I help you?" She said with no feeling, looking us down.

"We need three rooms with 2 beds." I said annoyed. My tone practically screaming that I was holding back from rolling my eyes.

"Are you waiting for your parents?" She asked completely ignoring what I had just finished saying.

I had no patience for this right now.

So I did the all American thing and out-sourced.

Angel, could you do your thing and just get us in? I asked exhausted. Fang, who was next to me, grabbed my hand comfortingly. He must have seen the look on my face or maybe Angel had told her what I'd said.

After our lovely encounter with the front desk bitch (it's ok Angel was down the hall) we checked in and Angel had gotten us 3 rooms and a promise that we'd be the only people on the floor. Also we got a 100% discount.

Score.

Angel and Nudge were in there room near the elevator getting ready to go out for dinner and Iggy and Gazzy were in there room doing… well Iggy and Gazzy were alone in a room together with free time. I don't even want to know.

I had just finished taking a shower and walked out the door with a large fluffy towel wrapped around me. Fang was sitting on the bed with his laptop typing away. He looked up when I came out and smiled at me softly it didn't completely touch his eyes. Neither did my returning smile.

"Why did we get a room with two beds?" Fang asked, typing away.

"Well it was easier to ask for every room to have 2 beds and we'll probably just push them together or we'd be… um, closer." I answered, sitting down next to him.

Fang shut his laptop and moved so that I was lying on his chest. No matter how many times we were together, my heart was still trying to escape me.

Calm the hell down Heart! Because this is going to be going on for a while… I hope.

Ok now brain! Don't make me come up there and beat the living crap outta you!

Oh my evolution theory! You know when you're insane when you're internally yelling with bodily organs. We sat there for a little while until 6pm when the rest of the Flock came knocking on our door and before I'd pulled myself away from Fang, Iggy had broken his record in unlocking hotel doors. I quickly jumped up with Fang right behind me. I tried to look as if were no big deal, I don't want to creep the others outs.

We decided to walk down Clifton Hill to a restaurant. That was a big mistake, let me tell you.

Have you ever been to Clifton Hill? No? Well firstly it's actually one long street that goes down the hill (hence the name) to a lookout point of Niagara Falls and then 'U-ies' back up the other side of the hill. It was freaking pack! I picked the first restaurant I saw and ushered the flock in. it's turned out to be an Italian chain restaurant. Luckily it had a patio. Great for quick escapes, see I'm always on top of it.

Lately the only thing you've been on top of is Fang Angel giggled jokingly.

I looked at her from across the table with a murderous glint in my eyes. Angel smiled sweetly at me, "Just joking Max." She giggled again. I shook my head and Fang had a question look on his face.

I won't bore who with the details of our meal, I mean no one really wants to hear me go on and on about how Canadian ice tea is like way different then in the USA. And also pretty much every we passed on the way to see the Falls at Nudge's request, said hello or smiled. Where the hell are we? I feel like we're in Happy Bunny land or something, I was totally on edge.

We stayed and watched the Falls for a bit and bought some cinnamon roast almonds and decided to take a quieter rout back to the hotel, the teenage crowd was piling up what with all the under and over 18 years old admission night clubs.

By quieter I actually mean cutting through a few alley ways (AN- I don't actually know if there are alley ways in Niagara Falls but the rest is legit).

They weren't like those nasty one in New York, thankfully!

Again we walked in silence and as we were about to get the end of the alley and figure jumped from one of the roofs and landed crouched down looking at us. We all got into our positions, forming a V in fighting stance.

The figure stood up and was obviously female.

"Hello Maximum and Flock." She said sweetly.

"Who the hell are you?" I spat not disconnecting our eye contact.

"Oh it is ironic. I know everything about the six of you, but you don't know me. I'm Force and we aren't so different Maximum."

Force drowned and unfolded the wings she had kept hidden.

"You're one of the other Flock, the ones the new Itex created."I said.

"Yes Maximum."

"You said you knew everything about us, prove it and what do you want?" I snarled, moving myself slightly in front of Fang, there was no way he was going to die if this ended in a fight.

"You have a sister named Ella who lives with your mom in Arizona. She's a vet. Your father is Jeb, the man you busted you out of the school. You've been leader for 3 years next Tuesday and you're in love with your second in command and are being very protective of him because of the prophesy that little Angel back there said about him." Force's voice was no longer cocky.

"And why I'm here is to join you, they trained the rest of us back at the new Itex to hate you, that you were the ones who did this to us. But my gift showed me different."

Angel what's she thinking?

She seems to be truly honest. Pictures of the other flock and the new School keep popping up. It looks exactly the same.

"And where's the rest of your group?" I asked relaxing somewhat. It kinda creeped me out that she knew so much about us. What was her gift?

"Only I and one other, Payne were able to escape. He's on the roof right now. I didn't want to over whelm you and have you all think this was some kind of attack." Force said strongly with a straight face that hadn't changed through our whole conversation. Payne flew down from the room he was apparently stationed on. He was around Nudge's height. Hell he was practically a male Nudge. Same curly hair, same colored eyes and hair but his skin was a shade lighter.

"Hello." Payne said quietly, like he was shy. And in this… business shyness and lacking self confidence is death. No, no I'm not being melodramatic.

"How did you escape?" Asked Fang speaking up for the first time.

Force seemed to think for a minute like she didn't fully understand what had been asked of her. Or maybe she was just thinking out her lie. Being me, I'm always having those thoughts on the foremost part of my mind.

"They used to try and use hypnosis to turn us against you. Four months ago they took me into the lab and did surgery to try and improve my hearing. They didn't. I'm deaf but they didn't find out till it was too late, I had broken out from my trance and since I could no longer hear the what they were trying to be brain washed with I started to plan my escape and to take Payne with me. I also learned how to read lips in case you're wondering." She said emotionlessly. I stared her down not knowing what to think.

"Maximum Ride, if you take us in as part of your flock we will show you where the new locations of Itex are. We understand we will not gain your trust right away but we are willing to earn it." Force smiled gently and stuck out her hand.

Oh boy. What to do? My gut told me that they could be used to find Itex but I had a hard time trusting new people. They would have to be watched 24/7.

I looked a Fang next to me and he met my eyes. They were strong and when he saw my decision in my eyes he nodded his head in understanding.

I stepped forwards and extended my hand in return.

"We will accept you into our Flock, temporarily, and you won't be trusted with all our information and if you betray us in any way, well, we'll do whatever is necessary to keep our Flock safe." I said with my most leaderly voice. I was surprisingly calm, no gut-retching terror or nattering doubts inside my head. It was weird. Seeing people, who could, if they were being truthful, relate to us in a non superficial way. Yeah that's right Maximum Ride heart of stone is showing some empathy. It must have to do with opening up to Fang so much. Not that I minded opening up to him, I mean you've read the previous chapters, but I still detested feeling weak in front of strangers.

We started to walk towards our hotel again it wasn't so far away, only a 3 minute walk. Along the way Fang had come up beside me and taken my hand, squeezing hard. We didn't have to look at each other to understand what the other was thinking.

"Force, you'll be in Fang and mine's room. Payne you'll be with Iggy and Gazzy." I said as we got back to our rooms. I had already thought to Angel to think to Iggy and Gazzy to always be watching their new roommate.

We staked our fists, Force and Payne looking out of place. I almost had to suppress a laugh.

"The washroom is to the left and your bed is the farthest from the window." I told Force who nodded and went into the washroom. I walked over to my bed and pulled off my t-shirt so I was in a light tank top and while Fang wasn't looking slipped into a pair of shorts. I hopped under the cover thoroughly exhausted from over 24hrs of straight hell. I felt some one slide into bed next to me and knew it was Fang as he snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me against his chest tightly and sweetly kissing the back of my neck.

"I'll take the watch tonight, don't worry. You need your sleep." He added the last part in quickly because even though I was fighting to keep my eyes open I would have volunteered.

"Mmm you are the best Fang you know that?" I mumbled and turned slightly to give him a goodnight kiss.

"Well I am pretty fantastic," Fang laughed quietly, I hit him half heartedly in the shoulder. It made me smile to hear him laugh; I needed to hear more of it if he was going to… I stopped and shuddered. Fang pulled me closer thinking I was cold or something but the gesture was still comforting. I fell asleep before Force came out.